Photo by Mare Czinar Lower LaBarge Creek

Lower LaBarge Creek
Tucked into the sun-drenched, cactus-studded hills surrounding Canyon Lake, a little-known path leads to a surprisingly lush pool of water, complete with its own sandy beach. Although the middle of the desert might not sound like a good place to find fall foliage, a hike into the lower reaches of LaBarge Canyon rewards with torch-bright clusters of Velvet ash, Arizona sycamore, Goodding willows and Freemont cottonwood trees.
To find this hidden oasis of color, follow Boulder Canyon Trail No. 103 for roughly a half-mile to the top of a rise and look for a faint, unmarked path that leaves the main trail and heads right and downhill into LaBarge Creek. Once at the creek, simply hike upstream among the boulders and seasonal pools. Accenting the colorful flora are veins of jasper and quartz crystals, which splatter the craggy canyon walls in shades of ruddy-red and ivory. Fragrant stalks of desert lavender, rustling reeds and frothy clumps of pampas grass add the finishing touches to the canyon’s jumbled crags and rubble-strewn floor.
Length: 5.6-miles roundtrip
Rating: moderate
Elevation: 1,680–2,300 feet
Getting there: See LaBarge Narrows hike.
Information: Call the Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300, or visit fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.