Arizona Backpackers Club (ABC)

The Superstitions may be one of the most rugged ranges in Arizona. With deep canyons and rock spires, the range is a playground for hikers and climbers. One of the best scrambling routes in the Superstitions can be found on Battleship Mountain, a mile long fin of volcanic rock with deep canyons on both sides. With surprisingly solid volcanic rock, plenty of exposure, tricky route finding, and a beautiful desert approach, Battleship Mountain has something for everyone looking for a solid outing in the Superstitions.
- https://www.summitpost.org/battleship-mountain/963552

We will meet at Boulder Canyon TH and hike 5 - 6 miles in on the Boulder Canyon Trail and set up camp near Second Water Spring or La Barge Creek (East side of Battleship Mountain). We'll get our day-hiking stuff and try to climb to the top of Battleship. This will require some scrambling towards the end. You can go as far as you feel comfortable.

Overview:
Distance: ~7 miles each day
AEG: ~2000 feet AEG.
Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate
Dogs: Yes
Kids: No
Campfire: Yes
Water: At camp Saturday night and probably along the way.

Details:
Saturday, Oct 25th: 9 am we'll meet at the Boulder Canyon Trailhead. (Feel free to connect in the comments and arrange carpools).
Sunday, Oct 26th: We'll hike out the same way we cam in and have team lunch at the Marina.

Disclaimer:
The planned hike is listed above, but the group's ability takes precedence. If I think someone may not make it for whatever reason (injury, out of shape, solar flares, etc...) I'll change the plan and do my best to tailor the trip to the groups wants and capabilities.
I will not leave you stranded in the middle of the trail as long as you follow directions.

Fee:
$2 for this trip. Money goes towards paying Meetup dues.
PayPal or Zelle: GOrlewicz@gmail.com
BE SURE TO INCLUDE A NOTE WITH YOUR MEETUP USER NAME AND TRIP NAME SO I KNOW EXACTLY WHO PAID.
You will be on the Waitlist until you pay.

Writeups/Maps/GPX:
https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=21043

Directions to the Trailhead:
From the junction of Idaho Road & SR-88 follow SR-88 14.4 miles east to just after mile marker 210. Turn left into the Canyon Lake Marina parking lot. The area closest to the SR-88 (furthest away from the Marina) is the actual trailhead parking. The area allowed is marked in front of each space.

Recommended Gear List:
- Water and some way to treat/filter creek water.
- First aid kit.
- Backpack... duh.
- Sleeping bag, Tent, hammock.
- Clothing: I recommend one set of hiking and one set of sleeping clothes.
- Small dish towel. This comes in very handy.
- Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, deo and quick dissolving toilet paper).
- Headlamp.
- Utensils for the food.
- Food: you must feed yourself.

Optional:
- Trekking poles.
- Stove. I have one that anyone can borrow if you want to cook something.
- I'm bringing a little fold out grill to cook on over the fire. You can bring another if you want.
- Tweezers (should be part of your first aid kit, but just in case it isn't).
- Entertainment... whatever floats your boat.
- Knives, bows and guns. If you do bring a gun, please keep it to yourself and out of sight. I say this just in case something goes missing.
- Camp shoes (flip flops or some other loose fitting light shoe). This will feel nice on your feet after an all day hike.
- Chair.

Let's spend the Halloween weekend in the Haunted Canyon!
👻oooooooohhhhh👻

This is another Arizona classic backpack. It's a very nice hike along a creek in the Eastern Superstitions. If you've been in the Western Supes, the Eastern side looks nothing alike. Instead of desert, it's mostly a pine and oak forest. We'll even have some fall colors as well.

We'll set up a car shuttle and do the full haunted canyon trail over 2 days, stopping at Tony cabin for the night.

IDK, do we want to make it a costume backpack?

The Plan:
Friday, October 31st, 6pm: Meet at Basha's in Gold Canyon and drive to the car camp spot at the end of FR 287A (Miles Ranch TH). This portion is optional. Feel free to show up anytime or meet us at the ending TH by 9am Saturday.

Saturday, November 1st, 9 am: We will leave most of the cars at the ending TH (West Terminus) and pack into as few cars as we can and head to the starting TH (Eastern Terminus). We will start the hike from the East Access point of the trail. We'll hike in about 5.5 miles to the cabin. We can spend some time checking out the cabin and nearby spring. We'll find a campsite and end the day with a nice campfire and whatever entertainment you bring.

Sunday, November 2nd: We'll finish the hike along the trail and head back towards town. We can have lunch at Silver King Smokehouse & Saloon in Superior if people are up for it.

Details:
Distance: ~9 miles (total 5.5 ish the first day, rest on day 2)
AEG: ~2,000 feet
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Dogs: Yes
Kids: Ask
Water: Throughout the hike.

Disclaimer:
The planned hike is listed above, but the group's ability takes precedence. If I think someone may not make it for whatever reason (injury, out of shape, solar flares, etc...) I'll change the plan and do my best to tailor the trip to the groups wants and capabilities.
I will not leave you stranded in the middle of the trail.
Also, life is dangerous! It ends in death 100% of the time. You get some say in how quickly that end comes. Don't do anything to speed it up while on my trip please.

Writeups/Maps/GPX:
https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=56

Recommended Gear List:
- Water for the entire day (this means 4 Liters/Quarts for someone weighing 100 - 200 lbs, you weigh more, ring more water) and some way to treat/filter water.
- First aid kit.
- Backpack... duh.
- Sleeping bag, Tent, hammock.
- Clothing: I recommend one set of hiking and one set of sleeping clothes.
- Small dish towel. This comes in very handy.
- Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, deo and quick dissolving toilet paper).
- Headlamp.
- Utensils for the food.
- Food: you must feed yourself.

The Miller Peak Wilderness is especially striking in the fall. We’ll hike a point-to-point route requiring a shuttle. Starting at Ramsey Vista Trailhead, the trail climbs 2,000 feet in under 2.5 miles to Carr Peak (9,200 ft) with views spanning the border, Sierra Vista, Fort Huachuca, and surrounding peaks.

From there, we continue toward Bathtub or Bear Spring, our first potential water sources, then join the AZT along the ridge for ~5 miles before descending Pat Scott Canyon to camp near the historic Hamburg Mine.

Day two takes us through Ramsey Canyon often glowing with sycamores and maples before a short climb and descent into Brown Canyon, finishing at Brown Canyon Ranch.

Difficulty – Challenging/Strenuous

• ~15 miles total
• ~9,600 feet of elevation change (3,600 up, 5,900 down)
• Steep, varied terrain, potentially rough trails
• No reliable water

Logistics

• Friday, Nov 7: Depart Phoenix after 12 pm, stage vehicles at both trailheads, car camp at Ramsey Vista or Reef-Townsite.
• Saturday, Nov 8: Start at Ramsey Vista TH, camp near Pat Scott/Wisconsin/Ramsey junction.
• Sunday, Nov 9: Hike out to Brown Canyon Ranch.

Water
Four potential sources exist, but three were dry as of Aug 2025. Fall moisture may recharge them, but conditions could remain dry. Be prepared to carry all water for the trip.

Weather
Expect cold, windy conditions. Overnight lows well below freezing. Ice is likely on the final morning.

Campground and Fires
No fire restrictions as of Aug 2025, but Stage 1 or 2 restrictions are common by November. If Stage 2 is not in effect, we may pool funds for firewood Friday night.

• Campground fee: $15 per site per night (likely two sites, costs split).

Carpooling and Shuttle
Carpooling encouraged.

• Brown Canyon Ranch: $10 per vehicle, accessible to low-clearance cars.
• Ramsey Vista: Free, may require clearance. Sedans reached it in July 2025, but monsoon damage may affect conditions.
• ~45 minutes (~12 miles) between trailheads.

Dogs
Allowed with prior approval. Consider carefully due to lack of reliable water.

Hiking Pace
I hike slowly uphill, ~2–2.5 mph on flats and descents. If you expect a fast leader, this may not be the right trip for you. Plan for steady pacing.

RSVP Questions
Incomplete responses = no spot on the trip.

Commitment
Life happens, but if you sign up, please be serious about it. Don’t take a spot unless you’re prepared or are sure you want to go. This trip involves tough terrain, unpredictable weather, long water carries, and a shuttle. Read the description and know what you’re joining.

Safety and Liability
This is an informal backpacking meetup, not a guided trip. I am not a professional hiking guide, and each participant is fully responsible for their own safety, choices, and well-being on the trail. Hiking and backpacking come with inherent risks, which may include personal injury, gear failures, or vehicle break-ins at trailheads. I cannot assume responsibility for any personal injury, damage to equipment, or property loss by theft.

By joining, you acknowledge these risks and understand this is simply a group of people hiking and camping together. Please arrive prepared, make responsible decisions, and look out for one another so the experience is safe and enjoyable for all.