4 day/3 night route in Superstition Mountains for Dec/Jan?

[eastcoastdenise]

Hello all,

I'll be in the Phoenix area for about 10 days over the new year. I am an experienced winter backpacker (mostly east coast) though without significant experience in desert settings. I would like to do a 4-day/3-night trip, about 35-40 miles total in the Superstition Mountain area. I have some maps in the mail as well as a book (don't remember the name, but purported to be the "bible" for the SMs) but would like some route suggestions from those who are experienced in the area. A shuttle hike is fine.

I have a 4-season tent and the equipment to weather snow fall and other winter possibilities, but would rather avoid areas with more likelihood of snow as it would complicate things during the actual hiking. There will be two of us.

I've seen an earlier post on this forum asking for 3-day/2-night options and some of those look like they could fit as we'll be doing fairly low mileage; but I'm not sure how they'll work for a mid-winter hike as the poster was looking for something for March.

Thanks in advance,

Denise

[SuperstitionGuy]

Do you want low desert, high or both?
Ruins such as Indian, ranching and mining?
Wild life sightings such as Javelina, Coatimundi or Ringtailed cats?

Have a plan B in case of bad weather such as day hikes or a backpack trip further south such as between Tucson and the boarder.

[Hippy]

though without significant experience in desert settings

The Supes area isn't gumdrops and lollipops, not even in "winter". Hope your partner has some desert knowledge.

[cactuscat]

I would stick to the main trails in the Western Supes ... some combination of Dutchman, Peralta, Bluff Springs, Second Water, etc. Reliable springs here too - LaBarge, Charlebois, Second Water will all have water.

[big_load]

I would stick to the main trails in the Western Supes ... some combination of Dutchman, Peralta, Bluff Springs, Second Water, etc. Reliable springs here too - LaBarge, Charlebois, Second Water will all have water.

One of the bigger Charelebois loops would be good, especially for a first-time visitor. There's lots of great scenery, good water sources (make sure you know how to find them), and opportunities to look around off-trail a bit. The brushy part along Red Tanks is all that keeps it from being ideal.

[----]

What exactly kind of hiking are you looking for? The Supes hold endless opportunities. I would say start with that and shoot questions to us HAZers. I'll help if I can.

[John9L]

Here are some good options for you to start with. Charlebois and Reavis are both perfect destinations. There is reliable water at both and a ton of hiking options branch out in all directions. Snow is more likely at Reavis. Charlebois is at lower elevation so less chance. Hope you have a great trip!

Charlebois from Peralta TH, AZ
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=237

Charlebois from First Water TH, AZ
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=25

Reavis Ranch via 109 North, AZ
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=246

[te_wa]

check out the Superstitions Guide, original (what you referred to as the "bible"?)

there are also new editions to said book, each consisting of reliable and accurate trail descriptions.

Superstition Wilderness Trails East, and West.

plenty of loop options, or trans-supes trails.

[eastcoastdenise]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for your responses--I'm sorry for not responding more promptly--thought I'd set up my account to notify me when responses came in and...turns out I didn't. I will read all your responses and get post again--I see that there are some questions seeking clarification about what I'm looking for...

Thanks again! Denise

[eastcoastdenise]

All, here is a tentative route--we're going to pare it down to 3 days/2 nights, for a total of 26 miles or so. Our starting point and route selection were heavily influenced by availability of transport to get the trailhead and fitting the mileage to our time available, plus anticipation that this trip will become an annual affair so we will not be forever missing out on whatever we miss this trip:

I have a few questions relating to this route (and also welcome any other insights you might have to offer):
1) any current info/insight on water availability (we will be passing by/near three water sources characterized as "reliable" on another site)?
2) What are issues, if any, with bears for time of year and location and do you use a bear canister or are bears simply not an issue...), and
3) coyotes--seems that they're a suburban plight here (much like deer where I come from but...different) and I know not to mess with wildlife, etc. (and also know signs of rabies which I understand is an issue at least in some places) but am interested in whatever issues they might present with respect to food storage, etc.

Here's the route with arbitrary breaking points as it is written just to make it easier to read I hope:

-Start at Peralta trailhead
-Dutchman trail to Bluff Springs trail to Terrapin trail
-Terrapin to Dutchman to Peters trail to the Tortilla trailhead
-Hoolie Bacon trail to Upper Labarge Box (via Red Tanks trail)
-to Whiskey Spring trail back to Dutchman to Peralta Trailhead

Thanks in advance, all, for any helpful insights or suggestions.

Denise

[Tough_Boots]

Water availability will depend on how late in January you are going. Right now, there's tons of water everywhere from last weekends rains. If you want to play it safe, they'll be filterable pools sitting much longer in Marsh Valley and Boulder Canyon so I would recommend heading out that way instead of the Peters/Hollie Bacon area. (LaBarge Spring and Charlebois are guaranteed water sources and Whiskey Spring is iffy most the time but probably reliable right now). If you do go towards the Upper Labarge Box, I would bypass Peters and Hoolie and just do Redtanks to Coffee Flat and back. Red Tanks rules and there's probably water down in Coffee Flat right now.

In the area you're interested in, you'll probably have no negative encounters with wildlife-- definitely not bear. There are cats but they'll leave you alone. Coyote won't come too close. Just hang your food like you usually would away from your site-- a ratsack is always a good thing. I guess coatimundi could be an issue but I've never heard of them messing around too much.

[eastcoastdenise]

Thanks so much Mr. Boots! This is really helpful. We're actually heading out in the next few days so it sounds like there will be enough water. We'll look into Red Tanks though as an alternative to Peters/Hollie Bacon.

Denise