Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Battleship Mountain & the Tarantula

1/30/2019

4 Comments

 
Picture
I led a small group of hikers to one of my favorite destinations, Battleship Mountain.  I enjoy helping people experience something that otherwise, they probably would not do on their own.  May as well lend the expertise I have gained from my trips to this and other very cool destinations.  We depart First Water trailhead hiking the Second Water trail and after about a mile, gain.....
Picture
….the unusual Garden Valley.  So odd to hike a trail where you do not have to have your eyes glued down to avoid obstacles.  After about another mile, hills begin.....
Picture
….to creep in and note the black rocks populating the slopes.  We enter a gentle slope that is covered with the rocks so now our eyes are focused as we carefully step from rock to rock.  At last.....
Picture
….the yellow, lichen covered rock walls that form the Battleship comes into view.  We descend a medium steep but again, rocky slope, reach a.....
Picture
….stream, cross it and then.....
Picture
….hang a right on the Boulder Canyon trail.  This is aptly named and the multiple stream crossings, again hopping from large rock to large rock becomes a bit tedious.   It is so well worth it because eventually, at mile 5, I reached a point where I knew to go off trail and ascend a steep slope where.....
Picture
...we were confronted with another steep slope that took us to the stern of the "ship".
Picture
There we off loaded items we would not need and first climbed a fairly steep wall that fortunately had just enough hand and foot holds. Boarding the ship we....
Picture
….were awed by the views.  Above, the entrance to Lower LaBarge Box Canyon.  Looks like something out of the "Lord of the Rings" movie.
Picture
Above, we slowly make our way through the somewhat challenging first half of the ship and then enter the very challenging second half that includes....
Picture
….the famous rock bridge.  Going down, I have to butt hike some of it.  The fall would kill me so why risk skipping along and tripping although I can stay upright on the return.
Picture
We circle clockwise to the back of the peak and then ascend to the top and again, amazing views including that of Canyon Lake. We refuel and my two companions are a bit apprehensive about some of the walls that must be down climbed but....
Picture
…..they did a great job. Not all of the challenges are climb/descending walls because....
Picture
…...there are other challenges, like "Fat Man's Pass".  Note Weaver's Needle in the background.  To give some perspective on how narrow is the Pass.....
Picture
….true, I've gained 4 pounds this winter, nothing odd about that but still, it was a tight squeeze for me.  I'm wearing "Treksta" brand trail running shoes and this is my second pair,  I like them!  Once off the ship, it is largely an unremarkable return until.....
Picture
….it wasn't when I almost stepped on what is by far, the largest tarantula I have seen, out of the 5-6 I have encountered.  I should have putt my hand next to it to give you...… yeah, right.  Finished with a little over 12 miles and 2000' of climbing.  Always an adventure.
4 Comments
Liane Stark
1/31/2019 04:26:04 pm

Glad the first half of the Battleship was only "somewhat" challenging! Love the blog!

Reply
Galen
1/31/2019 09:24:00 pm

Mark, I very much enjoy your blogs, great job! Question, is the Fat Mans Pass a different entrance/exit to the Battleship? I’ve been inspired to hike this for a long time and am trying to gather some info on the climb up Battleship. Thanks

Reply
Mark
1/31/2019 10:54:59 pm

The Fat Man's Pass is roughly 60% of the way up the Battleship. I was with a guy who would not fit through and he climbed over one of the boulders that frames the pass. I looked at doing that but it was easier to squeeze through.

Reply
Galen
2/1/2019 08:19:22 pm

Okay thank you very much for the insight. I look forward to hiking the Battleship soon




Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.