The Boulder Canyon Trail intersects La Barge Creek Canyon, which can be taken back to the Canyon Lake Trailhead form an adventurous cross country loop. The off-trail portion is a veritable obstacle course of rugged cobble, deep pools and heavy brush.

Canyon Lake is one of 4 reservoirs formed by the damming of the Salt River; this lake was formed by the Mormon Flat Dam (1925)

The Superstitions formed during the Tertiary period, a time of volcanic turbulence in the earth's crust

Periods of uplift followed by erosion have created the spires and promontories we see today

Pools in the lower canyon near the lake inlet force hikers to exit and regain the main trail

Succulents store water in fleshy leaves, stems or roots in ways that maximize use and minimize loss

Canyon Lake is fed by the Salt River, which eventually spills into Saguaro Lake to its west

Anticipate having to power through dense, tangled vegetation in the wash

Large polished boulders slow travel in the wash

The Superstitions range from 2,000’–6,265’ across Desert Scrub, Semi-desert Grassland, Chaparral and Pinyon-Juniper woodlands

A hiker negotiates slick cobble near the exit to Boulder Canyon

Puddles can become swimmable pools shorty after a cloud burst

Canyon Lake is stocked with rainbow trout for several months each year

The Boulder Recreation Site is located at the Canyon Lake Trailhead

Bighorn sheep are sometimes see in the lower canyon, and around Canyon Lake

Intrusive rocks form when molten magma cools beneath the surface of the earth