LaBARGE NARROWS

LaBARGE NARROWS Superstition Wilderness


 Who needs the Grand Canyon when we have the LaBarge box canyon right in our own backyard? This hike starts out on the popular Boulder Trail and then goes cross-country over rugged terrain to a scenic box canyon. The off-trail segment is rife with obstacles requiring much boulder scrambling and creek hopping and thus is NOT for the novice hiker. But, the extra effort pays off at the end of the trail where the soaring stonewalls of “the Narrows” plow straight up to the sky on all sides. HIKE DIRECTIONS: from the trailhead, follow Boulder Trail roughly 3 miles to where the trail crosses LaBarge Creek. Here, head left (east) and follow the wash for another 1.5 miles to the Narrows. NOTE: the route to the Narrows may not be passable in wet years or after heavy rains. LENGTH: 9.4 miles round-trip RATING: moderate-difficult ELEVATION GAIN: 600 feet (1,500 accumulated—mostly on the way out) GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, take US60 east to Apache Junction. Take Highway 88 (Idaho Road) exit and turn left at the light. Continue on Highway 88 for approximately 15 miles to the Canyon Lake Marina. The trailhead is across the road from the marina parking lot. A Tonto Pass is NOT required as long as you park in the designated trail parking area.