**SIGN UP CLOSED** First Water - Boulder Canyon/Canyon Lake Cross-over
Details
Thank you for signing up early! Transportation logistics have been worked out for 16 participants.
**Meetup at 6:30 for 6:45 departure**
Note: This is a motivated hike when starting from First Water trailhead and a moderate plus hike when starting from the Canyon Lake trailhead
First Water - Boulder Canyon/Canyon Lake Cross-over in the Superstition Mountains.
Leaders: Henry Silberblatt 480-895-1133 & Diane Alessi 480-277-5359 (starting from First Water TH)
Warren Wasescha 651-343-8256 (starting from Canyon Lake TH)
Distance: 7.6 miles
First Water to Canyon Lake = TH 2280', AEG ~1500' - 92 miles R/T = $8
Canyon Lake to First Water = TH 1703', AEG<1500' - 80 miles R/T = $9 ($7 + $2 dirt road fee)
Vault toilet at First Water TH and toilets at the marina at Canyon Lake.
This is a Cross-over hike with the one group starting at First Water Trailhead and the other group starting at Canyon Lake Trailhead. Cross-over is at the Indian Paint Mine (pictured above). Keys are exchanged at that point.
All drivers will turn off at First Water and switch vehicles; half going to Canyon Lake and half going to First Water Trailhead.
It involves 3 different trails and is a great shuttle hike. One group starts at First Water Trailhead. After almost 0.3 miles there is a junction with Second Water Trail (236); it crosses Garden Valley which is an "easy stroll." As you proceed East the trail begins to drop down into Second Water Spring. The trail gets somewhat steep here but still fairly easy. Poles recommended.
At the bottom of the Second Water Spring area (Boulder Canyon) the Second Water trail ends and going North on the Boulder Canyon Trail (103) takes us to Canyon Lake. The Boulder Canyon trail begins to climb out of the canyon for about 2 miles and the views are spectacular. Then downhill along a side hill with a final climb to the final top before the descent to the marina. The descent is a bit tricky with lots of loose rock but taking it slowly makes it comfortable. There are a few switchbacks and finally, we come out on Highway 88.
The second group starts at the Boulder Canyon Trailhead (parking in the Canyon Lake marina parking lot designated for hikers) hiking the above in reverse order.