Malapais Canyon (Superstition Mountains)

A remote Superstition Mountains canyon with long approach and exit hikes that is full of brush and numerous, short drops. While there are a few scenic moments along the way, the hassles involved in getting to and the thrashing you will suffer getting through the canyon will keep out all but the most die hard of completionists. I was able to charge through the length of this trip in 10 hours, but it may be more enjoyable as an overnight trip. There are a few campsites in the vicinity of Boulder Creek that would serve as a pleasant base camp.

Oddly enough, the approach and exit hikes are almost exactly as long from three different trailheads: Boulder Canyon, First Water and Peralta. I've drawn the Boulder Canyon approach on the map (and the stats are specific to it) since that is what I did, but any of the three approaches would suffice - though I believe the First Water approach would have the least amount of elevation gain. No matter how you get there, head up steep and loose Squaw Canyon from the Calvary Trail in La Barge Canyon. A few old rock cairns may help lead the way up and there is an interesting ancient cliff dwelling on the left shortly before topping out in Squaw Canyon with a few well preserved metates (grinding bowls). Continue north, then north east to reach the saddle through an easy drainage, then drop down into the canyon via a more easy slope.

The canyon is chocked with catclaw acacia right away, and the presence of this and many other species of thick, thorny flora crowd the canyon floor for much of the descent, only to be abated by a few slickrock chutes and bouldery drop offs. There are numerous short drops in the canyon, many of which can be downclimbed or scrambled around depending on your comfort level. I rappelled 5 times in the canyon, with a maximum length of 25 feet. One particular tiered and vertical section is encountered at a bit more than the half way point that may offer more challenge for those less comfortable with downclimbing and scrambling around these obstacles (or who would simply prefer to rappel) that would require more rope, perhaps two 100 foot ropes would suffice. I did only a 20 rappel from a bush far and low on the right in this section. After this it's more of the same: thrash, drop; thrash, drop. The last drop would be about 50 feet on the right of an enormous boulder, but there is a rabbit hole cave that can be climbed down on the left. From here head down canyon through more brush to make a b-line for the bouldery wash of La Barge Canyon to pick up the Calvary trail and follow it back the way you came. Note: observing that this was not a canyon I expected many (any) to follow in my footsteps, I left only two anchors behind for the rappels. Bring plenty of anchor building materials (no bolt kits needed) to this canyon if you are attempting a descent.