This is a nice moderate and pretty hike. I think we would do it more often if the car logistics weren’t so complicated due to the driving distance between the two trailheads. We were fortunate that 5 Trailblazers woke up early Black Friday morning to meet at the Canyon Lake Marina at 7:00 AM, leave 3 cars there, and shuttle one back to First Water trailhead. The rest of us assembled at the Mesa meeting spot and the two groups arrived to the trailhead within minutes of each other.

After a quick round of introductions, 13 hikers hit the trail at 7:45, taking the Second Water Trail to Garden Valley, past the Black Mesa turnoff and down into the Second Water riparian zone. This area was verdant and cool, providing a little standing water to see and a nice place to rest for a minute.

We continued onward, connecting to the Boulder Canyon Trail and detouring to the Indian Paint Mine for a few minutes of snacks and exploring. Shortly after, we crossed LaBarge creek. At the small connector trail, Michael led a group of 7 fearless hikers for a bushwhack up the LaBarge Narrows. The remaining 6 of us continued up the Boulder Canyon Trail, trudging upward with nice breezes to help us until we reached a summit with expansive views of Battleship Mountain and Weaver’s Needle in the distance. More hiking let us glimpse Canyon Lake and the Four Peaks.

Nearing the Marina, we joined the other group for the final descent to AZ 88. Relieved to shed our poles and packs into the waiting vehicles, we regrouped at the Lakeside Restaurant at the Marina, enjoying the cool patio with a vista onto the lake and boats. Several hikers took advantage of the Friday all you can eat Fish Fry.

Well fed and relaxed, we took the group photo and drove back to the cars at First Water Trailhead. By 3:00 we parted ways to enjoy the rest of our post-Thanksgiving day.