When we got up there, the spring was completely dry and looked like someone/thing had been digging in it. There were piles of dried mud along the edges of the spring. Not sure why they couldn't just say that the spring was dry. Strange. There still seemed to be quite a bit of moisture on the hillsid...

I did find it strange that they couldn't tell me what it is contaminated with.

Just got my permit back from SNP for our Labor Day weekend trip in the Rincons. Along with the permits was a note that Spud Rock Spring was contaminated and there was no way to make the water potable. I called to get more info and confirmed that no boiling, filtering, or chlorine treatment would be ...

I heard the other day from my Border Patrol friend that there is still a lot of activity in the Ritas.

Composite photos are awesome!

@Tough_Boots
Yup, that was our group. Nice, quiet bit of trail until you get past the turnoff for the BSA trail. Then all you hear is grumbles about pumpkin berry bushes and deadfall Good times tho! It was a great weekend to be away from the valley.

Lots of berries along Geronimo Trail and Webber Creek this weekend up at the Rim. Some super tart, and some perfectly sweet. Saw a couple of people out there just to pick the berries.

Lots and lots of raspberries to be had on the Butterfly Trail and others in the Catalinas. They were in all stages of ripeness a couple of weekends ago. Yum!

+1 on Ash Creek. Check out the waterfall, and if you want to camp away from the established campgrounds, there is a bit of nice camping near the Old Mill site.

El Guero Canelo... home of the famous Sonoran Hot Dog ;) They have other totally yum menu items, as well, and an outdoor eating area.

I live near Broadway and Alvernon and work near Speedway and Wilmot. It's usually a 12ish minute commute to and from work. I really enjoy the proximity to Reid Park and the central/downtown entertainment zone. Your home can get broken into pretty much anywhere you live, IMO. I suggest looking at all...

Everything will be fine. Sometimes my friends and I will bring a few of those little LED light candles for some artificial fire ambiance. Otherwise, just enjoy the stars

I would treat water if I was getting it from BA creek. However, I remember there being potable water sources throughout the BA campground.

That active fire map is very interesting. I guess the Santa Ritas are getting hit again. Yet another fire as of yesterday.

+1 on Blackett's at night. Too bad there isn't a full moon coming up.

I use an umbrella on sun exposed trails with little wind. Usually, I can just tuck it under the sternum strap of my pack. I also bring my hat in case it gets too windy for the umbrella to be practical. I have used the umbrella and loved it in the Grand Canyon, but yes, I did get asked about it about...

@te-wa
I've had the traveler for a while now and a cuben tarp is in the works from mld, but for now I have a macCat standard. 'Tis good.

Hi all, Its been a while since ive actually posted anything but i thought maybe the nice folks on here could help out. I am looking to get my first hammock soon and am looking for something used in decent condition. i have been checking craigslist but there are very few if any on there. My question...

I'm not sure what I'll use when I run out of the Kraft boxes - any ideas? You can find powdered cheese sauce mixes with the rest of the sauce mixes. They are yummy in mashed potatoes, too. Although, it might be less expensive to just buy a 50 cent box of mac and cheese :-k I know you can get powder...

You might look for a bandana or buff with cool patterns/her favorite color. The compass and map idea is pretty awesome, though. Plant or insect or bird id books? I got one of those really tiny/simple Swiss army multitools when I was around 12. If she likes to have a pillow, there are several differe...