Trans-Supes hike, November 2nd-5th

[te_wa]

this hike starts at Miles trailhead and ends at First Water trailhead, 3 nights, 4 days. 50+ miles of Superstitions paradise.
day 1 is a 10 mile strenuous hike ending for a night at Reavis Ranch
day 2 is a 14-16 mile moderate hike ending at Dripping spring (Fraser canyon)
day 3 is a 10 mile moderate hike ending at Charlebois spring
day 4 is a moderate/easy 9 miles out to First Water

This hike will be physically demanding and is not for the inexperienced... Superstition Wilderness is rugged wild land and if you are up to the challenge of long days and sometimes strenuous hiking, get on in here. IF you have ANY doubts about your ability to finish this hike then you probably shouldnt attend. This is a serious commitment, 50 miles is a long, long way.

[te_wa]

thought I'd point out that the map link provided only takes you to a page of Lost Dutchman State Park. You will have to use the scroll and zoom features to get a better idea of the area. First Water road is dirt and about 1/4 mile East of L.D. State Park.

and Steve, your a funny guy, I like you, thats why im going to kill you last.

[DarthStiller]

Boy I hope this doesn’t turn into a Blair Witch Project ordeal. If I see any wooden stick figures on the trail (or anywhere), I’m out.

I’m not going to be around for a second night, so you’re gonna have to find someone else for the mountain lion sentry duty. While you guys are setting up camp and looking for water, I’ll be getting a hot shower and a cold beer (after some fresh, clear, cold water). \:D/ Remember, I’m making a beeline for Woodbury at the end of Day 2, and then I’m out. If you want beer for Day 2, get it to me by tomorrow and I can leave it on ice in my car, but then you’ll have to hike a few extra miles to go get it and get to the campsite. Or you can just ride back with me.

[wallyfrack]

What??? We're actually hiking??? I thought this was a ruse so we could go on a 4 day drinking binge.

[Desertroux]

What??? We're actually hiking??? I thought this was a ruse so we could go on a 4 day drinking binge.

I have heard that hiking hungover can be fun...

Bummer about the test Andrew. Hope you make it out for at least a couple days.

I hope everyone has fun. I will still be in Charlotte upon your return. Have fun guys.

[Hoffmaster]

and Steve, your a funny guy, I like you, thats why im going to kill you last.

No fair! I wanted to be killed last!





Wait a minute.........

[agendron]

I wonder how many people will bring a tent. Me, I won't have one and I prefer not sleeping out. I'm not specially exciting by the idea of waking up near a ratllesnake or with a scorpion in my sleeping bag... Will someone have free room in his tent?
Also, what is the shuttle option to go to the trailhead, I didn't get the info about that.

[Hoffmaster]

I'm not sure about your tent situation , but you need to be at First Water Trailhead at 6am on Friday morning. You should have a PM from te-wa with that info. I believe that we are catching a ride together to Miles Trailhead and you should bring a few dollars cash for gas. The dude that is giving us a ride is going out of his way to do us a favor.


I think.

[te_wa]

you wont need a tent.
snakes are done for the season you likely wont see one especially at Reavis.
Im bringing a hammock to sleep in.
do however use some sort of ground sheet whether it be painter's plastic or tyvek, or nylon even. It will protect your pad and bag.

if it makes you feel any better about meadow crashing, Ive done it in the Supes at least 2 dozen times- never an incident. Ive never even heard of a rattlesnake actually entering a sleeping bag. That has to be an urban legend or something.
(but then again elk and horses seem to die at my feet :bdh:

[deserttarheel]

I am really excited! Especially since it is late and I'm drunk!
I have a MSR Microzoid that I will not use; let me know if anyone wants to borrow it. Likewise w/ a 2 man Walrus. Likewise w/ a Coleman Exponent stove.

[te_wa]

holy. crap. look who just fell out of the sky.
get on in here, Steve!

[Desertroux]

I am really excited! Especially since it is late and I'm drunk!

Where the hell you been Steven? You should of hit one of the last few hikes before I moved to VA. You better join up on my later trip to the Grand Canyon this spring. Be sure to tell the story about driving the car into the ditch on your date with that girl. Good stuff for sure!

[deserttarheel]

Well, if people would quit murdering each other, or at least take a break, I could get out more.

[agendron]

The rattlesnakes and the scorpions were just a joke. What I'm more concern in sleeping out is the moisture, but perhaps in Arizona it's not relevant. By now, I've only do backpacks in France (yes, I'm French) and here you need to have a waterproof sleeping bag otherwise you wake up completely wet and you can be sure to get a cold.
I don't have any thing which can be used as ground shet to protect my bag and my protect. Maybe, someone can bring one for me.

[joebartels]

You might consider creating a Pack List or PM te-wa with what you're bringing just to be sure you're set.

[hikeaz]

The rattlesnakes and the scorpions were just a joke. What I'm more concern in sleeping out is the moisture, but perhaps in Arizona it's not relevant. By now, I've only do backpacks in France (yes, I'm French) and here you need to have a waterproof sleeping bag otherwise you wake up completely wet and you can be sure to get a cold.
I don't have any thing which can be used as ground shet to protect my bag and my protect. Maybe, someone can bring one for me.

Ground sheet - Try a trash bag (or better yet a trash COMPACTOR bag) slit down the side seams - use another to sit on when in camp. Or try a blue tarp.. you can roll up in that to keep the dew off of you.
Tarps and trash bags are available everywhere - even 24 hour Wal-marts.

[mttgilbert]

I sleep out a lot also and I've never had any run-ins with snakes or scorpions. I think it's a myth also.

I've never worried about moisture while sleeping out and it's never come up. The only time I've ever had condensation issues has been while sleeping in a tent...

Definately make sure you have a ground sheet though, especially if you're using an inflatable thermarest. Trash bags and blue tarps are both really good, cheap options.



Best of luck to all of you. I would have joined you but I'm a little scared of te-wa, and besides I have a whole trail service project to keep me distracted for the weekend. Take care and happy hiking, er, marching, I mean, trudging...

[big_load]

I sleep out a lot also and I've never had any run-ins with snakes or scorpions. I think it's a myth also.

You're right, Matt. It's just everything else that wants to kill you while you're trying to sleep.

[DarthStiller]

Ok, FYI to everyone. I have 5 gallons of water in my car that will be delivered to Woodbury tomorrow. 2.5 are iced. hikeaz dropped off 2 separate gal. for himself as well as his barley and hops cache, also iced. Wally, I got your Mtn. Dew. I'm signing off tonight and will leave tomorrow morning. I'll check back before I leave if anyone else thinks I should get more water just in case.

[Trishness]

Well...I met and chauferred Kurt, Sally, Bonnie and Dave to the Miles TH Thursday night, through the maze of the Pinto Mine Road...in the dark. Hope the rest of y'all met up with them on Friday morning. If the sign at the TH is a little bent that's because I decided to back up my X-Terra into it. Didn't see it in the darkness. Broke my tail-light dammit.

Saw a big fat skunk on the way in, deer at the TH and some headlamps near the trailhead too. That road in is CRAZY!

Look forward to hearing the report once they all get out.

:mrgreen:

[Desertroux]

I talked to my brother Friday afternoon and he said he dropped them off at the TH early morning. Looks like everyone is on their way.