Superstition 2.5 Day Hike

[adventurelaus]

I'll be traveling to Phoenix and will have two and a half days to go hiking. This will be in two weeks. As this is my first time in the Superstition I'd appreciate any comments of the route I have picked.

I'm thinking of hiking from the Peralta trailhead at about 2pm to Bluff Springs via the Bluff Spring Trail (3.8 miles) and stay there overnight. This will also give me a chance to assess the water availability for filtering since I'll be taking 6 liters of water with me. Enough for the overnight and a hike out but not for the whole 2.5 days.

On the second day I would hike to Charlebois Spring via the round about way of Dutchman Trail - Wiskey Springs Trail - Red Tanks Trail - Hoolie Bacon Trail - Tortilla Trail - Peter's Trail. Instead of going all the way to Tortilla Trail I could cut across on the Old Peter's Trail but I only found reference of the trail at the SAR website. It probably would mean some off path hiking and I'm not sure if that's worth it. About 15.3 miles.

The third day, again depending if I can filter more water, I'm thinking of taking the Dutchman Trail - Bull Pass Trail - Dutchman Trail - Terrapin - Weavers Needle Crosscut - Peralta Trail back to the trail head. About 11.6 miles.

I'm hoping that this route will go through the interesting parts. I tried to plan it so that I'll pass by some major water sources and that I can easily bail out if there should not be water available.

[Tough_Boots]

Charlebois will always have water. The rest will be iffy depending on recent rains. I would try to make it out to Charlebois on the first day if I were you. Also, I think you'll have a better chance of finding water and more enjoyable surroundings if you head out to Marsh Valley/LaBarge/Boulder Cyn via the Cavalry trail and work a loop that way coming back Boulder Cyn/Dutchman/Terrapin. Coming back Terrapin with a full pack is gonna be quite a grunt but totally worth it. That trail rules. You might try coming back Peralta instead of Terrapin-- you'd definitely save time I think.

I'll be on Dutchman, Red Tanks (crossing Hoolie Bacon), and Whiskey tomorrow and will let you know what water looks like right now. I would imagine maybe some in Upper Labarge cyn. Whiskey Spring is also pretty iffy. Last time I was there it was dry-- though, I have seen it with a good bit of water but typically in the spring. There was quite a bit of water along Bull Pass when I was out there last month. You might think about camping on top of Black Top Mesa-- that would be fun.

[SuperstitionGuy]

A ditto to camping on top of Black Top Mesa with no moon and a clear night sky!

[Trishness]

Trekkin' Gecko clued me in on some springs from her hike on 12-26-11. NO water at Bluff Springs but water at Charlebois. It's been pretty dry since December so I don't know if the situation has changed at all. Just a heads up......

I'm pretty sure it is dry from Peter's trail to Tortilla and all the way out Dutchman also. You won't find any water along Terrapin at all!

I will be out that way in the next few weeks so will post something new if there is water.

Trish

[outdoor_lover]

There was some pools still on Dutchman where it converges on the Black Mesa and Bull Pass intersections. Water was flowing at Aylor's Camp. There was also some water flow in the creek on the Dutchman going back towards the First Water TH. This was on January 6th.

[nonot]

A Tour de Western Supes sounds fun.

Your first day is certainly feasible, the initial Bluff Springs trail is steep for a backpacker. But later on it's worth it for the views. Remember to go up the wash to your right where the trail dumps you in the wash junction. I would think that you could push further the first day to LaBarge if you wanted to, but Bluff Springs is fairly nice as well. You could also push for Whiskey Springs along the route you've described, shortening your next day, but Whiskey isn't entirely reliable for water.

I think you have cut too big a chunk off with day 2. Note that the "Old crosscut trail" between Peters and Hoolie no longer exists, it's a pretty bad cross-country catclaw bushwhack. Going all the way to the Tortilla Ranch and back to Charlesbois via Peters will be quite a long day for a backpacker if you don't get further the first day. You may not make it to Charlebois but instead decide to stop on Peters Trail somewhere, there are some campsites along the way. If Peters Canyon is flowing there will be water before you climb onto the Mesa. If there isn't water then you will know you have to push for Charlebois, which will always have water. Note that Hoolie can be pretty badly overgrown. You could modify your trip to go to Charlesbois, drop your tent and dayhike up to Peters Mesa.

Third day: Going up to Bull Pass is only worth it if you intend to go out to the end of Black Top Mesa. If you don't plan to do this, I'd recommend you go the loop around to the south of black top mesa staying on the Dutchman to Peralta trail. I'd also recommend you take Peralta Trail back to the TH. Peralta is better than Terrapin for views and backpacking. If you have never looked at Weaver's Needle from the lookout along Peralta then this would be a great time to do it!

Some of these trails may not be easy to follow for someone not accustomed to the Supes, a GPS will be a big help, but at least bring a compass and factor in some time each day for getting turned around.

Have fun!

[SuperstitionGuy]

There are three pools along a drainage off of the east side of Weavers Needle crossing Terrapin Trail. These pools are just east of the trail and as far as I know have not been pictured or GPS'ed yet on HAZ. Someone needs to follow this drainage and photoset the pools and GPS them for others to enjoy.

Edwin Buckwitts (sp?) the spook, used the second pool for his water source all the years that he lived in the canyon that this little stream drops into. Ed being the last permanent Dutchman Hunter/Miner to have lived in the Superstitions.

[adventurelaus]

Lots of good information. Thanks a lot and updates about the water availability is greatly appreciated. I'm really excited and as usually spend way to much time trying to find the perfect route.

Staying overnight on Black Top Mesa sounds interesting but unless there is water near by (i.e. Aylor's Camp) it'll be hard to plan a route since it has to be the second night.

I guess if the water availability at Charlebois is a 99.9% guaranteed I could change the route so that I'd camp there the second night and use the 6 liters I hike-in till then. Should be enough for me although that won't leave much for a backup plan.

The decision between the Peralta and Terrapin Trails is a difficult one. Some seem to rave about one trail and others about the other trail. That's why I was thinking of doing the northern part on Terrapin, cross over via Weavers Needle Crosscut and then do the south part of Peralta. But I don't know if I'd then just miss the best of both trails.

I will be taking my Garmin with tracks from HAZ and a topo loaded. So way finding shouldn't be an issue.

BTW, do I need to hang or bear proof my food in the Superstitions? If not I just take it with me in the tent.

There are three pools along a drainage off of the east side of Weavers Needle crossing Terrapin Trail. These pools are just east of the trail and as far as I know have not been pictured or GPS'ed yet on HAZ. Someone needs to follow this drainage and photoset the pools and GPS them for others to enjoy.

Sounds like a task for SuperstitionGuy. I like your hiking outfit (i.e. avatar) .

[azhiker96]

There are bears in the Eastern Superstitions. I've seen plenty of sign near Reavis ranch. However, I have not seen any bear sign West of Tortilla Creek. It is a good idea to hang your food because there are plenty of smaller critters who would chew a pack for a good meal.

[Tough_Boots]

There was some water along Bull Pass when I was out there a few weeks ago, though, I wouldn't rely on it.

As of yesterday, there are clear pools and even a few spots flowing in Upper Labarge along Red Tanks. There are a couple accessible spots from the trail. The spring box at Whiskey Spring was also full yesterday and there were also a couple filterable pools right below it.

[adventurelaus]

If it's possible to pitch a tent somewhere on the northern section of the Peralta trail the following loop might be possible, too:

• Day 1 Hike Perialta as far as I get (north of Weaver's Needle) (6 miles).
  Day 2 Take Duchman's to the east side of Bull Pass and hike up to Black Top Mesa. Hiking down west side of Bull Pass, Boulder, Cavalary, Duchman's to Charlebois Springs (13 miles).
  Day 3 Charlebois to Peralta via Duchman's and Bluff Springs trails ( 7.3 miles).

Tough_Boots, thanks for the update. Your trip got me the idea of the following route which sounds even better:

• Day 1 Peralta - Reeds Water or Dripping Springs depending how far I'd get (7/5.2 miles via Duchman's and Coffee Flat).
  Day 2 Reeds Water or Dripping Springs to Charlebois (10.1/11.9 miles via Red Tanks and Dutchman's).
  Day 2 Charlebois to Peralta (10.2 miles via Duchman's and Perialta or 13.5 miles via Cavalry, Boulder and Perialta).

[Tough_Boots]

if you do that route, you should make it all the way to Red Tanks to camp. There's a good camping area if stay to the canyon floor instead of making your first steep ascent. I can figure out a waypoint if you'd like.

I would not camp on Coffee Flat. Part of it is private land and a large portion of it smells like cow patties-- not a fun way to wake up!

[nonot]

If it's possible to pitch a tent somewhere on the northern section of the Peralta trail the following loop might be possible, too:

• Day 1 Hike Perialta as far as I get (north of Weaver's Needle) (6 miles).
  Day 2 Take Duchman's to the east side of Bull Pass and hike up to Black Top Mesa. Hiking down west side of Bull Pass, Boulder, Cavalary, Duchman's to Charlebois Springs (13 miles).
  Day 3 Charlebois to Peralta via Duchman's and Bluff Springs trails ( 7.3 miles).

Tough_Boots, thanks for the update. Your trip got me the idea of the following route which sounds even better:

• Day 1 Peralta - Reeds Water or Dripping Springs depending how far I'd get (7/5.2 miles via Duchman's and Coffee Flat).
  Day 2 Reeds Water or Dripping Springs to Charlebois (10.1/11.9 miles via Red Tanks and Dutchman's).
  Day 2 Charlebois to Peralta (10.2 miles via Duchman's and Perialta or 13.5 miles via Cavalry, Boulder and Perialta).

Your first option would be very nice. There is a good campsite at the junction of Peralta and Dutchman...well, about 100 yards east of it on the Dutchman anyway.
Your second option is good too - beware that Red Tanks is a bit overgrown with catclaw.

[Tough_Boots]

Your second option is good too - beware that Red Tanks is a bit overgrown with catclaw.

Red Tanks is not too bad right now. Only one or two small areas sucked this past weekend.

[Trishness]

Our group ran into Adventurelaus near the junction of Bull Pass and Dutchman early afternoon on Saturday as we were hiking our last 1/2 of Marsh Valley Loop....I think Angela took a picture of all of us. Nice to meet you Claus!

[tibber]

I hope your hike/backpacking trip went well. It was fun to meet you on the trail. Attached are a few photos of our encounter.

Happy Trails,
Angela

[WilliamnWendi]

It was nice sharing a trail with you. Wendi and I were the ones following up to Charlebois. I don't know if you camped near the spring, if you did let us know how the frogs were. They were pretty noisy during the day, can't imagine after nightfall.

[Trishness]

Angela......thanks for posting the pics of our meeting up with Claus aka Adventurelaus. I knew he was going to be in this general area on Saturday but didn't know if we would run into him. The timing was perfect! The first thing he said was "Are you the Hike Arizona group?" It was very cool to not only meet up with another HAZer but to meet one who traveled here from out of state. Great to meet him and you captured it on camera.

:GB:

[adventurelaus]

It was great seeing you all in the Superstition. I really wasn't expecting to. This week I'm swamped with work and I don't have access to the photos on my camera. Forgot the cable/card reader. When I get home I should have some time and will be able to give a trip report.

Angela, thanks for posting the photos.

Williman, what a surprise to see you on HAZ as well. No, I did not stay at Charlebois but I did hear the frogs after filtering the water. I meet a group of four that hiked in to stay at Charlebois that night. I hiked all the way to Bluff Springs and stayed the night there. It wasn't as beautiful as the night before when I camped on the Weavers Needle Crosscut trail but it was much more sheltered from the wind and thus warmer. Could you send me the photo of the guy with the horses? I really should have a photo of him.

Claus

[WilliamnWendi]

@adventurelaus
It was fun meeting you too!
I can send you the "best" photo I have: http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=236006