HikeArizona.COM

If anyone wants to knock out Tule to Peralta as a day hike in Nov hit me up

Date Saturday 27th November 2010
Distance 36-40 Miles
AEG 6,900 to 9,500

> > > > This is the route the dayhikers are taking < < < <

I drove out to Tule trailhead on saturday. The road is in great shape, maybe a little washboarding in spots but I think just about any car would be able to make it. The Tule trail does indeed involve a fair amount of climbing. We pushed what we thought was a fairly good pace and it took us 2 hours to reach 2 Bar, which my gps said was 5.2 miles in. We hiked another ~2.3 miles in down to the bottom of the canyon just West of 2 Bar mountain before turning around. Tule trail was in good shape, lots of big cairns and easy to follow. 2 Bar was more overgrown, it took a little more effort to stay on track. It did seem to have cairns where you needed them if you looked around. During the descent to the bottom of the canyon we encountered a number of switchbacks with abrupt turns that kept throwing us off. The night time hikers will need to stay alert. Michael Thorne's gps database of all the Supes trails is fantastic for those who haven't checked it out yet (link below). The track was dead on all along the 2 Bar.

http://web.utah.edu/thorne/superstitions.html

I really enjoyed the expansive views along 2 Bar ridge. How many places can you hike with views of 4 Peaks, Roosevelt and Apache Lakes all at the same time?

AZ-Outdoorsman wrote:......Question on taking the Randolf Canyon (route?) versus the Fraser 108 trail on that segment. Not familar with this area. Is it that Fraser is overgrown and Randolf is a more open/defined route? I don't see it marked on Beartooth as a trail. ....

Darrell,
One advantage is that there is water in Randolph at a point where it is needed along the route and it is somewhat shorter than the 108. Additionally, it is less-overgrown than the 108 (by a bunch)

@AZ-Outdoorsman plenty of room!
36mi is a conservative figure considering tiny zigs and zags on such a distance. I'd count on a tad more yet still under 40.

Anyone else in for the dayhike?
Bob?
Dave?
Edward?

I am considering wussying out. I hiked 23 miles in the everglades in one day and that was super tiring, I dont think I could have tacked on an extra 14 miles that day. Don't want to jeopardize my own or the groups safety. Man I will feel like a wuss if I cancel, plus I havent hiked with you guys in like FOREVER!

No shame, it's definitely something to build up to. If you could get a 30 miler in before Monday you'd know for sure.

Lots of stuff going on at the end of the semester and such. 2 projects due the the following week and the start of finals means that I can't spend 18 hours hiking in the supes that weekend. Add recovery time to that and I'll get nothing done and my grades will suffer.

That is unless one of you guys offers to finish my Ecosystem Service report on the BLM, or find a way to load a bunch of genetics and biochemistry information into my brain while we are hiking.

hikeaz wrote:If you are needing water and Dripping Springs is 'dripping' too slowly, remember that with a few feet of rope, you can drop a bottle down into Reeds Water well (or chimney down into the well, either way).

I'd shoot for Reeds. In my experience dripping springs was useless, there is a spring upstream in Fraser Canyon. IIRC it is near the mouth of MuskHog canyon - and is only shown on the old maps, hence leading me to believe that it has been "reborn". As of November 2009 it was clear and formed a large pool of about 100 gallons.

Currently assessing a minor hamstring injury. I expect I'll still be able to join you, but if not, you are still welcome to use my car so long as someone comes over to pick it up. I've got a second one so it's no big deal. ;) Should know in the next few days..

I look forward to seeing the photosets and triplogs for this crazy trip.

Sorry Joe and all, I was looking forward to this, but I decided today that bushwhacking in one area is as good as another, and the weather is looking decent for the lower elevation approach to Sheep Mtn.

The day fast approaches. Here's an update from the overnight backpacking group. We are now down to a total of 5 backpackers. Drewboy, AZMike, Al_HikesAZ and Jason and Daren, two members from the ABC. If 5 people with gear can fit in Wally's Liberty then maybe we don't need to borrow Liz's car if she ends up not being able to go. I don't know, what do you think Wally? In that case I have dibs on the driver seat.

Hopefully the recent rains will provide us with more water puddle opportunities out there. I'm now seeing mostly clear on Fri-Sat with highs in the 50's and lows in the 30's. In the Supes that usually means upper 20's . Weather looks perfect. Now showing possible snow showers on Sunday afternoon. I'm guessing the catclaw between JF junction and Angel Basin will be as brutal as ever. Time to bring it!

5 people can fit in the Liberty but the gear space is limited. You may need to tie some to the roof rack or stack it just right. The catclaw in Angel Basin is nasty so bring your armour.

Well, the backpack group is now officially down to 3 people: Drewboy, AZMike and Daren (from Las Vegas). We definitely do not need that 2nd vehicle now. I got your vehicle info Wally, so I guess we are good to go. You might want to shoot me a PM with your cell phone number just in case.

I'm attempting Flatiron tomorrow. If there are any issues at all I'll be bailing, so will let ya know tomorrow. Crossing my fingers for an uneventful hike.

Liz or anyone, any updates? One or two cars to pick up at Tule? We are a group of 3 so only need one now, but if you want us to we can take two back over to Peralta. We're meeting at Peralta Elementary at 6:00AM Friday and hitting the trail.

BTW, I'll be using my SPOT in track mode if you want to see where we end up camping. The target is Reavis, but you never know ...

Here's the link to the shared web page where you can track our progress.
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... Xbu2J03Qko

Today's hike did not go as well as hoped for... so unfortunately I have to bow out. Great on the downhill but uphill was a huge struggle, and I can't see pulling myself across 36 miles of Supes terrain and keeping up without further injury. Really bummed cuz I've been looking forward to this one for months. You guys all have fun out there, and be safe.

Stay safe out there guys!!