{"id":10434,"date":"2026-02-14T22:59:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T14:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=10434"},"modified":"2026-05-10T04:19:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T20:19:44","slug":"20260214battleship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214battleship\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 1 of 2026 President&#8217;s Day Trip to Phoenix, Battleship Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The first day of my 2026 President&#8217;s Day weekend trip to Phoenix. I hiked Battleship Mountain, an outstanding rock formation in the Superstition Wilderness that featured a few exciting scrambling moves along the way.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8440.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8440.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:74,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints 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{\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider20 = new Splide( '#splide-major-20', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider20.sync( secondarySlider20 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider21 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-21', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:69,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:39,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider21 = new Splide( '#splide-major-21', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider21.sync( secondarySlider21 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider22 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-22', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:69,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:39,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider22 = new Splide( '#splide-major-22', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider22.sync( secondarySlider22 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>There are certain mountains so magnificent that, once caught in one&#8217;s sight, they simply cannot be erased from memory. The jagged silhouette of Sawtooth Peak, which I visited in Sequoia National Park last year, was one of them, and the cliff-encircled Battleship Mountain in Superstition Wilderness was undoubtedly another. What I found most appealing about Battleship Mountain, however, was that despite being seemingly armored on all sides by towering cliffs, it remained approachable; a &#8220;trail&#8221; had somehow managed to find its way to the summit. So when I came across its photos online, I knew I had to take it on during my time in the area. Yes, the route involved a few high YDS Class 3 moves and was not always well-defined, but at the end of the day, the experience felt fulfilling rather than frightening. Battleship Mountain is impressive, but never condescending \u2014 and that, perhaps, is what I loved most about it.<\/p>\n<p>There were two ways to approach Battleship Mountain, either via Boulder Canyon Trail from the north, or via Second Water Trail from the west. The trailhead for the latter required driving along an unpaved road (and interestingly, it&#8217;s called &#8220;First Water Trailhead&#8221;). The former route was longer, according to various accounts online, rewarded hikers with superior scenery along the way; it also offered the option to loop around Battleship Mountain via La Barge Creek on the return. Without much deliberation, I chose the former.<\/p>\n<p>So on the morning of February 14, I left my Phoenix Airbnb at 7:40am and set off for the trailhead. (In hindsight, my efforts would be better distributed throughout the weekend if I saved Battleship Mountain for the next day. I could have used more sleep after flying into Phoenix late last night, or an earlier start would allow me time to explore La Barge Box Canyon.) The trailhead was accessed via a twisty mountain road known as &#8220;Apache Trail&#8221;. Expectedly, I was stuck behind some slow traffic which took some of the pleasure out of the drive. Free parking was available in a lot beside the marina, and after a brief warmup, I hit the trail at 9:18am.<br \/>\nHere&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=263515869&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/embedv2.do?id=263515869&#038;measures=on&#038;elevation=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>For context, two creeks flanked Battleship Mountain, Boulder Canyon Creek to the west and La Barge Creek to the east. Boulder Canyon Creek eventually merged into La Barge Creek, which in turn flowed into Canyon Lake, where the trailhead was situated. The creeks, however, carved their way through steep canyons too rugged for any trail to follow directly, so the path instead climbed over a small hill before descending back down into the canyon below.<br \/>\nAs the trail gained elevation upon leaving the trailhead, the tranquil waters of Canyon Lake and the sheer cliffs enclosing it composed a striking backdrop for the journey ahead.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_092548.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_092548.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Mountains across La Barge Cove\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains across La Barge Cove<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_092934.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_092934.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Canyon Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8409.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8409.jpg\" alt=\"Satchin Cliff\" \/><\/a><\/br>Satchin Cliff<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_093206.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_093206.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_093555.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_093555.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"La Barge Cove\" \/><\/a><\/br>La Barge Cove<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_094014.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_094014.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_094213.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_094213.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_092548.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across La Barge Cove\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_092934.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8409.jpg\" alt=\"Satchin Cliff\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_093206.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_093555.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Cove\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_094014.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_094213.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_092548.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_092548.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains across La Barge Cove\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains across La Barge Cove<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_092934.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_092934.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Canyon Lake<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8409.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8409.jpg\" alt=\"Satchin Cliff\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Satchin Cliff<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_093206.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_093206.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_093555.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_093555.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Cove\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>La Barge Cove<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_094014.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_094014.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_094213.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_094213.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>At the top of a small hill, I was treated to the first glimpses of mountains deep into Superstition Wilderness, with the chunky cliffs of Battleship Mountain and the soaring spire of Weaver&#8217;s Needle instantly recognizable. The same vantage point still retained views of Canyon Lake behind me, and offered a mesmerizing scene of twilight on my way back.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_094950.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_094950.jpg\" width=\"89%\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Canyon Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8410.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8410.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8411.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8411.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Battleship Mountain and Weaver&#8217;s Needle in the center.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8416.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8416.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8412.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8412.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Distant Browns Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Browns Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Of Four Peaks Wilderness<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8413.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8413.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_094950.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8410.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8411.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8416.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8412.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Browns Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8413.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_094950.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_094950.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Canyon Lake<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8410.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8410.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8411.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8411.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Battleship Mountain and Weaver&#8217;s Needle in the center.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8416.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8416.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8412.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8412.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Browns Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Browns Peak<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Of Four Peaks Wilderness<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8413.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8413.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Upon leaving that small hill, the trail settled into a sidehill traverse with little elevation changes. <\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_100308.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_100308.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_100930.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_100930.jpg\" alt=\"Tortilla Bay\" \/><\/a><\/br>Tortilla Bay<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_101214.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_101214.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Saguaros along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_102311.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_102311.jpg\" alt=\"Hills along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills along La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_104926.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_104926.jpg\" alt=\"Cacti along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cacti along Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_100308.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_100930.jpg\" alt=\"Tortilla Bay\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_101214.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_102311.jpg\" alt=\"Hills along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_104926.jpg\" alt=\"Cacti along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_100308.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_100308.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_100930.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_100930.jpg\" alt=\"Tortilla Bay\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Tortilla Bay<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_101214.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_101214.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Saguaros along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_102311.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_102311.jpg\" alt=\"Hills along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills along La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_104926.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_104926.jpg\" alt=\"Cacti along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cacti along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>That is, until the trail reached another major vista point overlooking La Barge Canyon, which commanded the view front and center.<br \/>\nMany hikers chose that overlook as their turnaround point, and understandably so: there were no views nearly as dramatic or rewarding until the summit of Battleship Mountain.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8418.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8418.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills around La Barge Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8419.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8419.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8420.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8420.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Separating La Barge Creek in the foreground and Boulder Canyon Creek in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8437.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8437.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Greeneries on Black Mesa<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Superstition Ridge in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_104325C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_104325C.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills around La Barge Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8418.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8419.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8420.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8437.jpg\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_104325C.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8418.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8418.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills around La Barge Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8419.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8419.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8420.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8420.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Separating La Barge Creek in the foreground and Boulder Canyon Creek in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8437.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8437.jpg\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Greeneries on Black Mesa<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Superstition Ridge in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_104325C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_104325C.jpg\" alt=\"Hills around La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills around La Barge Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8423_DSC_8434-12.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8423_DSC_8434-12.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Leaving the major vista point, the trail descended to the canyon floor. After crossing La Barge Creek, it forked into two branches that would later converge at the southern foot of Battleship Mountain. I made a slight right here, heading toward Boulder Canyon first. For reasons that I will explain later, I believed this was the better option.<\/p>\n<p>Past the intersection, the trail climbed over a small hill before dropping into Boulder Canyon. There, two parallel trails existed on OpenStreetMap, and I started off following what seemed to be the shorter of the two. Big mistake! Between them, one was the designated &#8220;Boulder Canyon Trail,&#8221; while the other was unnamed, and the difference in quality between them was stark: the unnamed trail frequently dissolved into bushes, boulders, or streambeds. (On AllTrails, this unnamed route was rendered as a noticeably thinner line than the proper &#8220;Boulder Canyon Trail #103&#8221;, a subtle but telling distinction I had overlooked.) Fortunately, the two paths intersected from time to time, giving me the chance to rejoin the proper trail. Even so, picking my way along the riverbed of Boulder Canyon was far from a pleasant experience.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_110020.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_110020.jpg\" width=\"93.2%\" alt=\"Crossing La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Crossing La Barge Creek<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where La Barge Canyon Trail and Boulder Canyon Trail diverged.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_110307.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_110307.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_110809.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_110809.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail against Hill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_110511.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_110511.jpg\" alt=\"Cacti\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cacti<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_112145.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_112145.jpg\" alt=\"Creek in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Creek in Boulder Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_112508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_112508.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail in Boulder Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_110020.jpg\" alt=\"Crossing La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_110307.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_110809.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_110511.jpg\" alt=\"Cacti\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_112145.jpg\" alt=\"Creek in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_112508.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_110020.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_110020.jpg\" alt=\"Crossing La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Crossing La Barge Creek<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where La Barge Canyon Trail and Boulder Canyon Trail diverged.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_110307.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_110307.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_110809.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_110809.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail against Hill<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_110511.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_110511.jpg\" alt=\"Cacti\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cacti<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_112145.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_112145.jpg\" alt=\"Creek in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Creek in Boulder Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_112508.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_112508.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail in Boulder Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_113246.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_113246.jpg\" alt=\"Cluster of Fountain Grass\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cluster of Fountain Grass<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_113133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_113133.jpg\" width=\"93.2%\" alt=\"Second Water Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Second Water Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From a closer trailhead to Battleship Mountain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_115218.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_115218.jpg\" alt=\"Creek in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Creek in Boulder Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_120246.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_120246.jpg\" width=\"56.3%\" alt=\"Trail in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail in Boulder Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_113246.jpg\" alt=\"Cluster of Fountain Grass\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_113133.jpg\" alt=\"Second Water Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_115218.jpg\" alt=\"Creek in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_120246.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_113246.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_113246.jpg\" alt=\"Cluster of Fountain Grass\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cluster of Fountain Grass<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_113133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_113133.jpg\" alt=\"Second Water Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Second Water Trail<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">From a closer trailhead to Battleship Mountain.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_115218.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_115218.jpg\" alt=\"Creek in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Creek in Boulder Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_120246.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_120246.jpg\" alt=\"Trail in Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail in Boulder Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_121353.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_121353.jpg\" alt=\"Trail towards Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail towards Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A few cairns marked this intersection with Boulder Trail.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p>Eventually, the path departed Boulder Canyon and began its ascent toward Battleship Mountain. As its name suggested, Battleship Mountain was a long, narrow ridge running approximately north to south, with its northern end bounded by sheer cliffs, meaning the only viable approach was from the south. Along the way, I lost the trail once and had to rely on GPS to find my way back.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_121949.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_121949.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_122839.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_122839.jpg\" alt=\"Boulder Canyon into Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Boulder Canyon into Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_123827.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_123827.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Back at Path onto Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Looking Back at Path onto Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_124512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_124512.jpg\" width=\"51.8%\" alt=\"Deceptive Path Forward\" \/><\/a><\/br>Deceptive Path Forward<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Near the first scrambling section. This path seemed very viable from this angle, until it abruptly ended shortly after the corner.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_124552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_124552.jpg\" width=\"56.3%\" alt=\"Path with Exposure\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path with Exposure<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_124629.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_124629.jpg\" width=\"93.2%\" alt=\"Side of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Side of Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where the seemingly viable path earlier abruptly ended.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_121949.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_122839.jpg\" alt=\"Boulder Canyon into Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_123827.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Back at Path onto Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_124512.jpg\" alt=\"Deceptive Path Forward\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_124552.jpg\" alt=\"Path with Exposure\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_124629.jpg\" alt=\"Side of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_121949.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_121949.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_122839.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_122839.jpg\" alt=\"Boulder Canyon into Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Boulder Canyon into Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_123827.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_123827.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Back at Path onto Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Looking Back at Path onto Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_124512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_124512.jpg\" alt=\"Deceptive Path Forward\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Deceptive Path Forward<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Near the first scrambling section. This path seemed very viable from this angle, until it abruptly ended shortly after the corner.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_124552.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_124552.jpg\" alt=\"Path with Exposure\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Path with Exposure<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_124629.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_124629.jpg\" alt=\"Side of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Side of Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where the seemingly viable path earlier abruptly ended.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Eventually, I reached the foot of a wall, and that was where the technical portion of Battleship Mountain began.<br \/>\nIn my opinion, the route featured three technical sections. I would rate them on the upper end of YDS Class 3. All three were near-vertical walls with limited footholds and handholds, though fortunately each stood only about one story tall, keeping the exposure manageable. There appeared to be a path skirting around the first scrambling section, but it soon reached a dead end (see p4\u20136 above).<br \/>\nAt first, I was a bit hesitant to tackle the first scrambling section (slideshow below), as it seemed more technical than what I prepared for, until I spotted a few returning hikers above it. I&#8217;ll admit I struggled somewhat on the way up, as I was determined to commit only to solid footholds, which were few along that wall. But eventually, I made it through.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_152754C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_152754C.jpg\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 1\" \/><\/a><\/br>Scrambling Section 1<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_152110C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_152110C.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Scrambling Section 1\" \/><\/a><\/br>Overlooking Scrambling Section 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-8\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_152754C.jpg\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 1\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_152110C.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Scrambling Section 1\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-8, #splide-thumb-8 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_152754C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_152754C.jpg\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 1\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Scrambling Section 1<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_152110C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_152110C.jpg\" alt=\"Overlooking Scrambling Section 1\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Overlooking Scrambling Section 1<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The top of the first scrambling section gave way to a largely flat stretch, a pleasant walk along a volcanic rock thoroughfare. That was, until I reached the middle of Battleship Mountain, where I found myself before a notch (I would say, there were two such notches in total) at which the ridgeline narrowed significantly, and the path ahead looked decidedly precarious.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8439.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8439.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8445.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8445.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path on Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_151730.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_151730.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path on Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8438.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8438.jpg\" alt=\"Cliffs along La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliffs along La Barge Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8444.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8444.jpg\" alt=\"Hill Over La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill Over La Barge Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8446.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8446.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Greeneries on Black Mesa<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Superstition Ridge in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8441.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Rolling Hills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-11\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8439.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8445.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_151730.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8438.jpg\" alt=\"Cliffs along La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8444.jpg\" alt=\"Hill Over La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8446.jpg\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8441.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-11, #splide-thumb-11 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8439.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8439.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8445.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8445.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Path on Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_151730.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_151730.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Path on Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8438.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8438.jpg\" alt=\"Cliffs along La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliffs along La Barge Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8444.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8444.jpg\" alt=\"Hill Over La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill Over La Barge Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8446.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8446.jpg\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Greeneries on Black Mesa<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Superstition Ridge in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8441.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8441.jpg\" alt=\"Rolling Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Rolling Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>It was also at this point that I began recording my climb of Battleship Mountain with a helmet-mounted action camera. (Unfortunately, I had neglected to capture my ascent of the first scrambling section earlier.) Here&#8217;s the video:<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2BrZ5fycaR4\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left;line-height: 100%\">\n<li>0:00 Started recording before the first notch.<\/li>\n<li>13:07 Ascending the second scrambling section.<\/li>\n<li>18:30 Ascending the third scrambling section.<\/li>\n<li>24:15 Summit of Battleship Mountain.<\/li>\n<li>24:29 Descending the third scrambling section.<\/li>\n<li>28:31 Descending the second scrambling section.<\/li>\n<li>41:05 Descending the first scrambling section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Between the first and second notch, the route alternated between straightforward walking and non-technical scrambling. And yes, I lost the trail for the second time that day, and had to rely on GPS to find my way back.<br \/>\nThe second scrambling section of Battleship Mountain came into view just before the second notch (p2 below). After descending the notch (p1 below), this section was like Santa climbing up a chimney, and was likely the crux of the entire route.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_145354C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_145354C.jpg\" width=\"56.25%\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_145544C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_145544C.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_145400C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_145400C.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path on Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_145256C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_145256C.jpg\" width=\"56.25%\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 2\" \/><\/a><\/br>Scrambling Section 2<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_133700.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_133700.jpg\" width=\"93.2%\" alt=\"Side of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Side of Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looking ahead for ways to bypass a scrambling section, only to learn that it was not bypassable.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-9\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_145354C.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_145544C.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_145400C.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_145256C.jpg\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 2\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_133700.jpg\" alt=\"Side of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-9, #splide-thumb-9 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_145354C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_145354C.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_145544C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_145544C.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_145400C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_145400C.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Path on Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_145256C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_145256C.jpg\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 2\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Scrambling Section 2<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_133700.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_133700.jpg\" alt=\"Side of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Side of Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Looking ahead for ways to bypass a scrambling section, only to learn that it was not bypassable.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Not long after came the third scrambling section en route to Battleship Mountain (slideshow below). Like the previous, it presented a sheer wall, but a well-positioned alcove (p2 below) offered the perfect foothold, making this arguably the easiest of the three.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_144014C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_144014C.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path on Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_143718C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_143718C.jpg\" width=\"56.25%\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 3\" \/><\/a><\/br>Scrambling Section 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-10\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_144014C.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_143718C.jpg\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 3\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-10, #splide-thumb-10 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_144014C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_144014C.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Path on Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_143718C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_143718C.jpg\" alt=\"Scrambling Section 3\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Scrambling Section 3<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After that, it was a very straightforward walk to the summit of Battleship Mountain, as I reached it just before 2pm.<\/p>\n<p>From the top of Battleship Mountain, the most commanding view was undoubtedly southward, along its long, narrow ridgeline, defined by sheer cliffs on either side, the very path by which I had made my ascent. There was something genuinely gratifying about such a moment, seeing the ground I had covered laid out so plainly, the challenges subdued into the landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the ridgeline itself seemed a natural divider between La Barge Canyon to the east and Boulder Canyon to the west, lending the scenery a pleasing sense of symmetry. Further afield, clusters of mountains wore desert brown to the east, while rolling hills burst into patchy green to the west, a contrast that wove itself beautifully into the broader tapestry of the landscape. (I had not anticipated finding greeneries so close to Phoenix.)<\/p>\n<p>Following the ridgeline with my gaze, deep into Superstition Wilderness was Weaver&#8217;s Needle, a soaring spire that commanded the eye above everything around it. I might ordinarily have reached for words like impressive, or imposing. But in that moment, what struck me instead was how lonely it seemed. Earlier in the day, Weaver&#8217;s Needle and Battleship Mountain had always appeared together, two great formations keeping each other company. Now, standing atop one and looking across at the other, separated by layers of rolling hills, I found it difficult not to see Weaver&#8217;s Needle as something distant and apart, a thing often admired from afar but not confided in. Then again, perhaps it was simply the pervasive gloom that had shadowed my entire week casting itself upon the landscape.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8461.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8461.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_142154C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_142154C.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8462.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_8462.jpg\" width=\"42.4%\" alt=\"Ridge on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8454.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_8454.jpg\" width=\"42.4%\" alt=\"Ridge on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ridge on Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where I came from.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8468.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8468.jpg\" alt=\"Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/a><\/br>Weaver&#8217;s Needle<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8497.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8497.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Upper Boulder Canyon winding in the center-right.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8456.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8456.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/a><\/br>Greeneries on Black Mesa<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Superstition Ridge in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-12\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8461.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_142154C.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8462.jpg\" alt=\"Ridge on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8468.jpg\" alt=\"Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8497.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8456.jpg\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-12, #splide-thumb-12 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8461.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8461.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_142154C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_142154C.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain among Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8462.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_8462.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Ridge on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8454.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_8454.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Ridge on Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ridge on Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Where I came from.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8468.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8468.jpg\" alt=\"Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Weaver&#8217;s Needle<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8497.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8497.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Upper Boulder Canyon winding in the center-right.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8456.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8456.jpg\" alt=\"Greeneries on Black Mesa\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Greeneries on Black Mesa<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Superstition Ridge in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-13\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8466.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8466.jpg\" alt=\"Cliffs along La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Cliffs along La Barge Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8465.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8465.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>La Barge Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8495.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8495.jpg\" alt=\"Black Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Black Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8450.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8450.jpg\" alt=\"Malapais Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Malapais Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8457.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8457.jpg\" width=\"90%\" alt=\"Trail Intersections\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail Intersections<\/br>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Intersections of Second Water Trail (top) and Boulder Canyon Trail (left\/right). Second Water Trail was a shorter trail to access Battleship Mountain.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8471.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8471.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Towards the direction of Phoenix.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-13\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8466.jpg\" alt=\"Cliffs along La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8465.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8495.jpg\" alt=\"Black Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8450.jpg\" alt=\"Malapais Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8457.jpg\" alt=\"Trail Intersections\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8471.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-13, #splide-thumb-13 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8466.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8466.jpg\" alt=\"Cliffs along La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Cliffs along La Barge Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8465.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8465.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>La Barge Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8495.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8495.jpg\" alt=\"Black Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Black Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8450.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8450.jpg\" alt=\"Malapais Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Malapais Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8457.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8457.jpg\" alt=\"Trail Intersections\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail Intersections<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">Intersections of Second Water Trail (top) and Boulder Canyon Trail (left\/right). Second Water Trail was a shorter trail to access Battleship Mountain.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8471.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8471.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Towards the direction of Phoenix.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>To the north of Battleship Mountain, the landscape was carved by a tangle of canyons, their depths giving way to the tranquil waters of Canyon Lake. A steady presence that anchored the scene, complementing the dominant Weaver&#8217;s Needle on the southern horizon. There was something almost philosophical in the pairing: the lake appeared still and contemplative, yet its waters were quietly moving, draining away as the Salt River; the needle appeared to soar and surge, yet it was, by any human measure, utterly motionless. Each seemed to be, in its own way, something other than what it appeared.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-14\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_142453.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_142453.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Summit Area of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Summit Area of Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_142852.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_142852.jpg\" width=\"83%\" alt=\"Summit Area of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Summit Area of Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A relatively large and flat field to the north.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8458.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8458.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/a><\/br>Canyon Lake<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8459.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8459.jpg\" alt=\"Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Boulder Canyon<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8463.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8463.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Back at Boulder Canyon Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Looking Back at Boulder Canyon Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_141102.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_141102.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Geronimo Head\" \/><\/a><\/br>Geronimo Head<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-14\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_142453.jpg\" alt=\"Summit Area of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_142852.jpg\" alt=\"Summit Area of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8458.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8459.jpg\" alt=\"Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8463.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Back at Boulder Canyon Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_141102.jpg\" alt=\"Geronimo Head\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-14, #splide-thumb-14 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_142453.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_142453.jpg\" alt=\"Summit Area of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Summit Area of Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_142852.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_142852.jpg\" alt=\"Summit Area of Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Summit Area of Battleship Mountain<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">A relatively large and flat field to the north.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8458.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8458.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Canyon Lake<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8459.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8459.jpg\" alt=\"Boulder Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Boulder Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8463.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8463.jpg\" alt=\"Looking Back at Boulder Canyon Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Looking Back at Boulder Canyon Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_141102.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_141102.jpg\" alt=\"Geronimo Head\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Geronimo Head<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The summit of Battleship Mountain featured two small mounds and a broad, level clearing stretching away to the north. A few insects were hilltopping, both here and at points along the trail earlier, though they were never particularly bothersome. The clearing itself had no established trail, and as my time was rather limited, I left that open expanse unexplored.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8472_DSC_8494-23.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8472_DSC_8494-23.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness from Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness from Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And here&#8217;s a video I took from the top of Battleship Mountain:<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/Battleship_Thumb.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/Battleship_2160p60_H265_20Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">14 seconds, 2160p60fps, H265 only, 20Mbps\/36MB file size.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>After spending about 30 minutes on top of Battleship Mountain, I started heading back at 2:25pm. <\/p>\n<p>After descending Battleship Mountain, and having already followed Boulder Canyon on my way out earlier in the day, I decided to head east and follow La Barge Canyon on my way back. As I made my way down toward the canyon floor, fleeting glimpses of Battleship Mountain&#8217;s ridgeline occasionally revealed themselves through the terrain. On the whole, La Barge Canyon proved the more dramatic of the two: its surrounding hills rose considerably higher, and the sheer cliffs of Battleship Mountain loomed far closer overhead, lending the scenery a grandeur that Boulder Canyon simply could not match.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-15\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_154145.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_154145.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_154758.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_154758.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_154523.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_154523.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>La Barge Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-15\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_154145.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_154758.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_154523.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-15, #splide-thumb-15 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_154145.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_154145.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_154758.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_154758.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_154523.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_154523.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>La Barge Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>The trail reached La Barge Canyon at a place known as &#8220;La Barge Pool,&#8221; where towering cliffs closed in on either side, transforming the canyon into a dramatic box canyon. Near the intersection was an improvised camp site. One advantage of routing the hike out through Boulder Canyon and back via La Barge Canyon was the option, time permitting, to venture into La Barge Box Canyon, a detour that seemed well worth an exploration of its own. Some rock scrambling would likely be required to keep one&#8217;s feet dry along the way, though I could hardly imagine it being more demanding than Battleship Mountain. Regrettably, time was not on my side today, and so I settled for a brief rest before pressing on.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-16\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_155123.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_155123.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"La Barge Pool\" \/><\/a><\/br>La Barge Pool<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8504.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8504.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Pool\" \/><\/a><\/br>La Barge Pool<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8503.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8503.jpg\" alt=\"Trickle along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trickle along La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-16\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_155123.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Pool\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8504.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Pool\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8503.jpg\" alt=\"Trickle along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-16, #splide-thumb-16 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the La Barge Pool<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_155123.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_155123.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Pool\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>La Barge Pool<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8504.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8504.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Pool\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>La Barge Pool<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8503.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8503.jpg\" alt=\"Trickle along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trickle along La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the stretch of trail immediately upon leaving La Barge Pool proved to be the most unpleasant portion of the day. The path more often than not simply ceased to exist, leaving me to scramble up and around various boulders while ducking beneath overgrown branches and bushes. It bore some resemblance to the earlier passage along the unnamed trail through Boulder Canyon, though here the boulders were considerably larger, and unlike before, there wasn&#8217;t a more defined trail running in parallel that I could switch to.<br \/>\nThis, in my view, was the second argument in favor of the route as I had planned it: departing via Boulder Canyon and returning via La Barge Canyon. La Barge Canyon made for rather disagreeable walking and wasn&#8217;t bad if avoided altogether, particularly if the hour was growing late.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-17\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_160442.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_160442.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_161241.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_161241.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_161424.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_161424.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain over La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain over La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_161724.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_161724.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_162730.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_162730.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_164008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_164008.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_164357.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_164357.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_164631.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_164631.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-17\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_160442.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_161241.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_161424.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain over La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_161724.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_162730.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_164008.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_164357.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_164631.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-17, #splide-thumb-17 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_160442.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_160442.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_161241.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_161241.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_161424.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_161424.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain over La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain over La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_161724.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_161724.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_162730.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_162730.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_164008.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_164008.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_164357.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_164357.jpg\" alt=\"La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_164631.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_164631.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, the condition of the trail improved steadily as I pressed further from La Barge Pool, and with it, my misery gradually began to ease.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-18\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_164130.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_164130.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain from Below\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain from Below<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_165323.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_165323.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_171625.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_171625.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_171629.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_171629.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_172359.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_172359.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_173147.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_173147.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-18\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_164130.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain from Below\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_165323.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_171625.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_171629.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_172359.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_173147.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-18, #splide-thumb-18 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_164130.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_164130.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain from Below\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain from Below<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_165323.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_165323.jpg\" alt=\"Trail along La Barge Creek\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail along La Barge Creek<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_171625.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_171625.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_171629.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_171629.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_172359.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_172359.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_173147.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_173147.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>By the time I crossed La Barge Creek for the final time and started climbing over the hill toward the trailhead, the sun was already hanging low on the horizon. About 35 minutes before sunset, I passed through the major vista point, where a few groups of people had gathered in quiet anticipation of the evening show. Knowing I still had a fair distance to cover, I pressed on without pausing to join them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-19\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_173151.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_173151.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8505.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8505.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Battleship Mountain and Weaver&#8217;s Needle in the center.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8509.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8509.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain before Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain before Weaver&#8217;s Needle<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8510.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8510.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Separating La Barge Creek in the foreground and Boulder Canyon Creek in the background.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8511.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8511.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-19\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_173151.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8505.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8509.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain before Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8510.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8511.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-19, #splide-thumb-19 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_173151.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_173151.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8505.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8505.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Battleship Mountain and Weaver&#8217;s Needle in the center.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8509.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8509.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain before Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain before Weaver&#8217;s Needle<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8510.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8510.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Separating La Barge Creek in the foreground and Boulder Canyon Creek in the background.<\/span><\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8511.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8511.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-20\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_180010.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_180010.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Saguaros along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_180436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_180436.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_180914.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_180914.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-20\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_180010.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_180436.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/IMG_20260214_180914.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-20, #splide-thumb-20 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_180010.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_180010.jpg\" alt=\"Saguaros along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Saguaros along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_180436.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_180436.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/IMG_20260214_180914.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/IMG_20260214_180914.jpg\" alt=\"Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>At about sunset time, I made my way back to the small hilltop where, this very morning, I had caught my first glimpses of the mountains deep within Superstition Wilderness. It seemed only fitting to watch the day&#8217;s most vivid colors fade from that same vantage point. As the stark contrast between light and shadow that had defined the scenery in early morning hours softened into a harmonious blend of colors, so too did my journey, its intensity gradually winding down to a quiet conclusion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-21\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8513.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8513.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8512.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8514.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8514.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain before Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/a><\/br>Battleship Mountain before Weaver&#8217;s Needle<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_181733.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_181733.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><\/br>Superstition Wilderness<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8524.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8524.jpg\" alt=\"Geronimo Head\" \/><\/a><\/br>Geronimo Head<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_181549.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_181549.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Sunset Glow\" \/><\/a><\/br>Sunset Glow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-21\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8513.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8512.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8514.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain before Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_181733.jpg\" alt=\"Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8524.jpg\" alt=\"Geronimo Head\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_181549.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Glow\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-21, #splide-thumb-21 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8513.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8513.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8512.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8512.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8514.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8514.jpg\" alt=\"Battleship Mountain before Weaver's Needle\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Battleship Mountain before Weaver&#8217;s Needle<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_181733.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_181733.jpg\" alt=\"Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8524.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8524.jpg\" alt=\"Geronimo Head\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Geronimo Head<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_181549.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_181549.jpg\" alt=\"Sunset Glow\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Sunset Glow<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8515_DSC_8523-9.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8515_DSC_8523-9.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains in Superstition Wilderness\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains in Superstition Wilderness<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A few steps away, to the northwest, a glowing twilight hung over the waters of Canyon Lake, bringing the day to a spectacular close.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-22\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8526.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8526.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/a><\/br>Canyon Lake at Dusk<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8527.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8527.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/a><\/br>Canyon Lake at Dusk<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8528.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/a><\/br>Canyon Lake at Dusk<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_182838.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_182838.jpg\" width=\"89.1%\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-22\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8526.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8527.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8528.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails-s\/20260214_182838.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-22, #splide-thumb-22 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8526.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8526.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8527.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8527.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/a><\/br><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/DSC_8528.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/DSC_8528.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon Lake at Dusk\" \/><\/a><\/br>Canyon Lake at Dusk<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/20260214_182838.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/14\/thumbnails\/20260214_182838.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>In the end, I got back to the trailhead at 7pm, concluding an epic hike.<br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first day of my 2026 President&#8217;s Day weekend trip to Phoenix. I hiked Battleship Mountain, an outstanding rock formation in the Superstition Wilderness that featured a few exciting scrambling moves along the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[685,427,2],"tags":[686],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10434"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10434"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10517,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10434\/revisions\/10517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}