Last minute trip? Advice?

[Jim]

I was originally thinking I would do a trip in the Superstitions around Weaver's Needle, but I am having some logistics issues. I'd like to try to do something in the Canyon and as an overnight trip, maybe two nights. I talked with the NPS and they inform me east side entry is best for an unplanned loser like myself. I told them I was from Flagstaff and that I felt entitled to the park, and they understood. Most other south side places will be wait list slots and they are not easy to get at this, the busiest time of year.

Anyway, the person in the Back country office recommended the Tanner trail as it has at large camping, though the trail may be icy (not much of an issue for me, and the big problem may be water as the only source on this trail, the Colorado, is muddy with flow from the Little Co and other tributaries. She mentioned another trail, name I forgot, with a water source at Page Springs. Is there a question here?

Or, should I just go to the Phoenix area and do a trip there?

[JoelHazelton]

Come experience the Superstitions in their rare state... Who knows the next time there will be this much water.

[Jim]

Other than the loop round the needle, any good recommended trails?

[azbackpackr]

Ok, I'm going to address the GC questions. Water at Page/Miner's Spring means going down the Grandview Trail to Horseshoe Mesa, and then dropping down to the springs for your water. You can continue on from there, and catch the Tonto, lotsa different possibilities. I have also gone down New Hance to the river, camp 1, then caught the Tonto, passing Page/Miner's Spring, picking up more water, then camp 2 at Horseshoe Mesa. That is a nice walk, along the Tonto, although I expect New Hance would be very dicey-icey at the top. It is a lot of scree and not a lot of trail. There is a shuttle issue, because you can't park at New Hance TH. Park at Grandview and beg a ride.

I guess I wouldn't worry about the river water if I were doing Tanner or New Hance. Bring a collapsible bucket or even a milk jug, and let it settle. You need your minerals, anyway!

[Jim]

Thanks for he input. I think I'm going to skip any trips during my break and just do stuff around the area.