Boulder Canyon Loop

Trailhead

This is a fantastic hike!!!  It has plenty of expansive views, tall canyon walls, pools of water and includes a small section of bushwhacking and boulder navigation to make it a little more fun and exciting.  The trail starts at the Canyon Lake trail head in the Superstition Mountains and is located directly across the street from the parking lot of the Canyon Lake Marina.  Park in the parking area of Canyon Lake Marina closest to the road on the south end of the lot.  It is signed for trail head parking only.  Walk across the road and start hiking up Trail #103, Boulder Canyon Trail. 

The trail starts out on a steady climb for the first mile, once you top out on the ridge make sure you take a look behind you at Canyon Lake below.  You get an amazing view of the beautiful desert lake.  Continue on the trail and you will soon come to an expansive view into the Superstition Wilderness and of Weavers Needle and Battleship Mountain in the distance.  The trail winds its away along the ridge and then along the hill side.  Around mile 2 you will begin a steady descent into LaBarge Canyon which you can see below on your right. At about mile 3 you will reach LaBarge Creek.  The main trail continues across the creek, but to complete this described hike you will leave the main trail and turn right (Northwest) and follow the creek bed as it winds back towards Canyon Lake.  You will stay in the creek bed for the next 1.5 miles or thereabouts. Warning, this section of the hike may be impassible after heavy rains.

This section of the hike is where it gets fun.  The canyon walls begin to get higher and the canyon begins to narrow as you make your way down the creek bed.  At about mile 3.5 (sorry I don't have exact location) you will come to a section where the canyon floor is overgrown in brush. You will need to just bush whack your way through this, there is no wrong way to go, just keep heading down the creek bed.  At this spot we started noticing small pools of water as well.  After you break through the tangeled mess you will come to a bend in the canyon and also a fork.  Boulder Canyon is the canyon you will see coming in off of your left.

The canyon walls here are quite impressive.  Keep your eyes out for big horn sheep while in this canyon as well.  Soon after Boulder Canyon comes in you will come to a section with a few large boulders and a large pool of water.  To pass this spot keep to the right side of the canyon.  There are a few options on that side to get around the pool of water.

Exit Location

Continue down the canyon and it will open wide again, with several pools along the way.  You will come to one other nice sections where the canyon narrows for about 100 yards and the floor is littered with colorful rocks.  After you pass this spot the canyon will again open wide.  Continue down.  At about mile 5.0 you will come to left bend in the canyon and a large pool of water at the end.  This is actually the inlet of Canyon Lake.  Directly in front of you as the canyon bends to your left is a slopping rock hill.  This is your exit point.  You will also see a few cairns dotting their way up the side of the hill.  Once on top, you will see the inlet of Canyon Lake below.  Follow the trail as it continues up the hill.  There are quite a few trails that meander through here, but just keep left turns and you will link back into the main trail that you came in on.

Follow this link for the mapped route of the trail. 

In all this trail is about 5.5 miles, depending on the route you take through the canyon floor.  I would rate this moderate.  It is a fun trail that gives you a taste of everything in a short 5 miles. 

Length: 5.5 miles
Overall Elevation Accumulation: 2, 103 feet
Difficulty:  Moderate
Traffic:  Moderate on Trail #103, Light in the canyon
Fee:  No fee!
Waters and Restrooms at Canyon Lake Marina

Kid Friendly
Hike Time:  3 hours
Directions From Phoenix:  East on US 60; exit north on Idaho Road; turn right on Hwy 88 (The Apache Trail) Drive 15 miles to the Canyon Lake Marina.  The Marina is right after the second bridge crossing.  Turn left into the marina and park on south side of lot closest to the highway. 

View back up the canyon from the exit point