Superstition/Mazatzal Wilderness Backpacking Questions.

[Ngilbert]

Hey everyone, I’m going backpacking in early/mid-march in either the Superstition Wilderness or Mazatzal Wilderness and have a couple questions I haven’t been able to find answers to and would appreciate any answers.

- From what I understand it’s been a very dry winter, will Charlebois and LaBarge be the only water sources with water? Specifically what are the chances at finding water on Peralta creek past Fremont’s Saddle (Piper Spring, East Boulder etc).
- Is there a better way to check weather results and see if the area has gotten rain or is NWS (https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=AZZ558) my best bet?
- How accurate are the lows on the NWS for the Mazatzal mountains, I assume it will likely be colder than what's listed but I’m not sure by how much
- Does anyone know the reliability of Cartesian Seep around this time ( [ Castersen Seep ] ) and also if there are any good spots to set up camp in this general area.
- How much snow can be expected in the higher elevation areas, specifically at Mazatzal Peak (we will have spikes).

Thank you

[xsproutx]

Piper/Charleboi/La Barge/Hackberry/Brad/Reed/Bluff are all reliable water sources even now. The Western Supes are pretty easy as far as water goes.
Regarding rain: Just basically expect there isn't any. We got a small amount last week for the first time in 6 months or whatever it's been. This site does have a layer under the planning/map function to check but it's not a concern realistically.
Assume a you may have a 10 degree lower diff. Where you camp matters in a big way.
Castersen is 99.9% going to be dry. Also, looks like you're from out of town (shout out, got my masters at UB) but the trail that Castersen is on is trash. Would not recommend. However, go a bit west and Chilson spring is reliable and has water and just south of it is some of the best camping in the area.
There will almost certainly be no snow unless some random crazy event happens. You will not need spikes.

[ShatteredArm]

@Ngilbert
In addition to the above, in the Mazatzals some of the springs on the west slope are pretty reliable but the trails to get to them are pretty rough. Chilson Spring is good, Horse Camp seep might be a good bet as well, bit out of the way but one of my favorite camps along the divide. There's a good camp about a quarter mile north from the Barnhardt/AZT junction, but it's dry. Plan on overnight temperatures along the divide dropping to mid 20s or so. I wouldn't worry about snow on Mazatzal Peak unless you're going right after a big storm.