Help with La Barge Canyon Hike

[Puddie922]

Hi Everyone!
Since you were such a great help before, I am coming to you again. I am looking for a hike that is described by the Boy Scouts Grand Canyon Council for La Barge Canyon and I am not having much luck. The reason that we have to stick with this is the boys are going to be earning an award/patch for hiking specific trails and hikes throughout the Sups. The description given out by council is below. If anyone has any advice on how we can accomplish this, I would appreciate it. The boys have their yearly planning meeting this Saturday so if I can get info by then it would be great! Although the boys are not too familiar with hiking in the Sups (only done Reavis and Rogers so far) they are in shape and have just this past summer backpacked 60+miles at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Thanks Everyone!

Here's the description: La Barge Canyon
A most scenic desert canyon and at its headpoint is an area known as Upper La Barge Box. A narrow winding canyon with many sheer drops presents a challenging hike. This area is most accessible from Peralta Trailhead although Tortilla Flat Trailhead is an alternative. A rugged hiking area this one is a test for the experienced backpacker. The canyon has a spring at either end: La Barge Spring and La Barge Spring No. 2. Water at La Barge Spring is the most reliable. Camping space is available. An overnight trek of approximately 20 miles.

[JoelHazelton]

http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=231

^^^That details the trip to the Upper LaBarge Box (specifically Hermans Cave on the north side of the box). It's only about 14 miles if you're doing an out and back to the Box section. The toughest part of the hike is coming back on the Whiskey Springs trail. Camping at LaBarge Springs would definitely add on some mileage. Heading up to Charlebois and looping back on the Bluff Spring Trail would also add some miles and some interest.

Honestly the Upper LaBarge Box wasn't all that interesting to me, especially after having visited the Lower LaBarge Box. Have you been there?

[Puddie922]

No, I haven't been yet. The only place we have been in the Sups is Reavis and Rogers Canyon. The Boys in the troop want to earn some special patches through boy scouts and to complete the Superstitions they have to hike Reavis, Rogers Canyon, Fremont Saddle, Second Water, Charlebois Springs, Miners Needle and the La Barge Canyon Hike. They are required to take specific routes and do specific requirements while they are on the hike in order to get the patch. I will check out the Hermans Cave route and see if we can make that work.
Thanks!

[JoelHazelton]

Sweet, well you can hammer out Miner's Needle, Charlebois and LarBarge Canyon in one trip.

[Nighthiker]

When are the planning to hike ?

[Sredfield]

When are the planning to hike ?

That's my thought as well, hopefully not before late October.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Sweet, well you can hammer out Miner's Needle, Charlebois and LarBarge Canyon in one trip.

Camp in the very large overhang (more like a bandshell) in the west end of Trap Canyon. This allows you to not have to carry tents with you however you will have to gather up firewood if you want a campfire before you leave LaBarge Canyon and begin the hike into Trap Canyon. It is best to send a scouting party to learn the route to the overhang from LaBarge Canyon a week or two before the Troop plans on doing the trip.

A few of the HAZ users have done Trap Canyon and are familiar with this camping location. Read the trip reports and posts before heading out on your scouting trip. I have guided many Scout Troops and 50 Mile backpack trips while using this camp location and it is well worth the small additional effort to see and experience this wonderful place.

[nonot]

Getting to the upper box isn't bad and can be done as a dayhike, including a loop w/ Red Tanks and Dutchman. In order to get 20 miles you will have to add several trails. The most common way to get to upper Labarge Box is to take Dutchman to Whiskey Springs and when you get to Red Tanks, to go east until you see "Herman's Cave". Then proceed back west along the Red Tanks.

I have camped in the bandshell in Trap Canyon. It would be a good storm shelter but is very dusty.

Water can usually be found in the upper Box around December. Trap Spring may be dry all year. Water will be a big problem for you if you try this trip prior to a late season storm (Oct/Nov). You could also, if short of water, head towards Labarge Spring as that is fairly reliable.

To get 20 miles, after taking Red Tanks west, you should not get on the Dutchman and go south, but get on the Dutchman and go west to continue onto maybe Peralta trail and take Peralta back to your trailhead. Not sure if that would net you exactly 20 miles but it seems to be in the neighborhood.

This trip will be best in Nov-March.

[Puddie922]

When are the planning to hike ?

That's my thought as well, hopefully not before late October.

The boys will decide at their yearly planning meeting this Saturday, however they know they can only plan hikes in certain places during certain times of the year. We would probably set this for late fall to early spring sometime.