2 night backpack next weekend. Suggestions?

[jdcollard]

Looking to do a 2 night backpack trip with my wife next weekend. I have been looking primarily at the Matazals and the Superstitions. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good 3 day 2 night loop? We are not limited to these 2 wilderness areas, but I had figured with the cooler temps that a lower elevation would be preferable. Thanks!

[nonot]

How experienced are you in navigation and trail finding? How far you want to go each day? Your 3 day hike might be a dayhike to others. Are you familiar with catclaw and locust bush? You don't want to get in way over your head.

There are some really crummy sections in the Mazatzals that haven't recovered from the fire but there are also some gorgeous areas out there too to enjoy. Locust bush and some trails that have eroded beyond recognition will be your main problems here.

The superstitions are currently having a catclaw bumper crop from all the water this year, but a 3 day loop involving Reavis Ranch and Rogers Canyon might be to your liking. Lower elevations it will be harder to find a good 3 day loop without significant catclaw. It is drier than usual out there in some areas of the Supes.

I have been looking at the Four Peaks Wilderness and it seems to me there may be some good 3 day loops in there, but there isn't much info yet on HAZ about some of the trails.

If your wife doesn't mind catclaw or locust bush...you're a luckier man than most, and you also have lots more options.

[jdcollard]

I have experience with route finding and have done plenty of trips in the Az/UT border areas. My route finding skills are ok I guess

The wife is a trooper and I figure we could easily do 10 miles a day but would probably prefer a loop of about 20 miles give or take.

I'm not a fan of catclaw but have dealt with it in the past and can tolerate it.

With that in mind, what would you suggest? (I am planning on stopping by the library to pick up a book or two on backpacking in the Supes) Thanks!

[joebartels]

Backpacking, Superstition Wilderness, 10 Miles+

[nonot]

Supes:

Day 1: Boulder Canyon, Bull Pass, maybe Dutchman east to first sight of water near Cavalry and Dutchman, maybe as far as Charlesbois so 8-10 miles
Day 2: Backtrack a little on Dutchman, Dutchman west, Terrapin, Bluff Spring, Dutchman to LaBarge Spring, maybe 8 miles
Day 3: Dutchman to Cavalry to Boulder Canyon back to Marina, maybe 9 miles

There aren't enough water reports that I have to recommend something else at this time. LaBarge has water and Charlesbois is pretty reliable. Hopefully this should steer you away from the worst catclaw. I guarantee you'll still be hating catclaw when you're done though. It's a bit of an odd loop but I'm trying to camp you next to water each night. If someone would report if there is water in Angel Basin I'd recommend Rogers-Frog-Reavis, but if there's no water in Angel you have to go quite a ways to get some. You need a high clearance to get to Rogers Trough.

Option 2:
If there is water for Day 1 this is a nicer loop, however I haven't been out there to confirm. If there is no water nearby you are a ways from another reliable source.
Day 1: Peralta Trail, camp at intersection w/ Dutchman, 6 miles
Day 2: Dutchman to Boulder Canyon to Cavalry to Dutchman, camp at LaBarge, 10 miles?
Day 3: Dutchman to Bluff Springs to Peralta TH: 6 miles?

Mazatzals
Hmmm, 3 days and you're going to get into areas that are still crappy from the fire. I plan to do the following someday, but I'm pretty sure it isn't the nicest loop for bringing a wife:
Day 1: Half Moon, Rock Creek, Divide Trail...south til find water to camp
Day 2: Divide Trail, find water near or south of Windsor Spring
Day 3: Take it home on the Y-Bar

I have no water reports to know if this is feasible right now. If there is no water I have no idea where you go, except for Day 2 end.

For all hiking right now bring a water filter and expect some pools to be scummy unless you filter directly from the springs.

[jdcollard]

Well, I took the liberty of hitting the library and picking up "the book" on hiking the Superstitions and here is what I have come up with.
Day 1 : Start at Rogers Trough. Stash the packs at intersection with Rogers Canyon Trail and hit the ruins, head back and pack to Reavis Ranch
Day 2: Day hike to possibly the falls (?) and Circlestone. Other options?
Day 3 Hike back out.

Thoughts? Thanks!

[SuperstitionGuy]

Day 2 just day hike to Circlestone and forget the falls. Not enough water to make the falls interesting right now. Instead explore the Reavis valley as well as Circlestone. There are many indian village sites in the area besides Circlestone. See if you can find them, photograph them and post them on HAZ.

[nonot]

Sounds like a good trip, Reavis always has water.

[troehr]

Was there last weekend. Days around 90 and lower 30's at night. The trail to the ruins is very overgrown with sticker bushes. Wear long pants.

[JoelHazelton]

In response to troehr:
Post a triplog maybe?

[jdcollard]

Just wanted to say that the wife & I had a wonderful time out in the Superstitions this weekend!

Day 1 : Rogers Trough TH to RR trail, packed in about a mile, stashed the packs and went over to the ruins 3 miles down the Rogers Trail. Awesome set of ruins. Trail was heavily covered in catclaw in spots. We encountered some people in short sleeve shirts and shorts who were bloodied up pretty good. (We wore long sleeve shirts and pants). Had lunch by the ruins then traced back to our packs and the Reavis Trail over to the Ranch. Saw 3 other groups camping at the ranch but were easily able to find a nice campsite away from everyone else. We figured we logged about 11 miles that day.

Day 2: Day hike to Circlestone, back to camp, then explored North of the Ranch including treks up the Reavis Gap trail and North on the Reavis trail.

Day 3: Hike Out.

Awesome experience. Thank You everyone for your suggestions!

[JoelHazelton]

In response to jdcollard: JDCollard, you should definitely post triplogs on the site for everybody to read. On the main page, click the red text that says "triplog". Not everybody checks the forums, but I know everybody wants to hear about your trip! ;)

[Grasshopper]

Just wanted to say that the wife & I had a wonderful time out in the Superstitions this weekend!

Awesome set of ruins. Trail was heavily covered in catclaw in spots. We encountered some people in short sleeve shirts and shorts who were bloodied up pretty good.

Are you Jason? If so, I was with that "bloodied-up" group you and your wife were talking too at the Cifff Dwelling on Sat-11/1! ;) The pics of our day hike with a good pic of you and your wife are now posted on Nunya's website under new trip posts. Glad you guys had a great time as did we and thanks too for acknowledging back on the forum!

[SuperstitionGuy]

Awesome experience. Thank You everyone for your suggestions!

Your welcome....