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Hi. I hope everyone is doing relatively ok amidst everything.

I have a question about water in the Superstitions.

I gather the Supes just opened back up. It's hard to believe that between the last two summers of fires, the place is completely burnt. It's sad to know this. But I want to go in and check it out for myself.

I saw there was a posting that indicated that there are three reliable springs in the Supes: Charlebois of the Dutchman trail, La Barge Spring (around Dutchman and Red Tanks intersection), and Reavis Creek at Fireline. [ 3 Reliable Water Sources - Superstitions ]

But I also know we had a bad monsoon this past year. Does anyone know if there is reliable water in there now? And if so, what the sources are?

Thank you for your time.

On the HAZ map, zoom in on the area of interest (Supes Wilderness) right click and select "water reports". Shows all recent water reports located above the source.

It does rely on HAZ'ers logging water reports as part of their triplog. A big thanks to those that do this! (And a big thanks to Joe for implementing this awesome feature several years ago!)

@sandyfortner
Second Water has water. Just came out of there today. Thanks to @wallyfrack for letting me know about it.

I saw a group of three heading in for Charlebois--they felt pretty confident it was running. But they hadn't been there yet. Please post whatever you learn once you get back.

Have a great trip.

La Barge Spring is overflowing. No water problem there.

@wallyfrack Any mud

@hikerdw Yes, It's a swamp below the spring box but I avoided it this time.

bretinthewild posted a photo of Charlebois Spring on 11/6/20. Lots of water.

[ photo ]

Saw a ton of water out there today

@wallyfrack
Question for you. There are more than a few water sources labeled as La Barge (fill in the blank) on the map. Which one is where you took that picture?

@xsproutx The La Barge Spring west of Music Mountain.

Curious if anyone with technical knowledge knows what the deal is with Brad's water. It doesn't get a lot of mention when people bring up water in the Superstitions. I've been up there a number of times but don't really know the history of the place other than some dude named Brad tried to make a go of it up there for a while back in the Dutchman times. It is notable to me for its location as a water filled cave in a very dry area next to a fairly nondescript canyon at rather high elevation relative to the water table(s) feeding Charlebois & LaBarge. It is kind of a unique spot in the Supes that doesn't make much intuitive sense to go looking for water out there. I am not sure that many people walking through the area know about it other than just another blue blip on a topo map filled with dried up springs.

Anyone been out that way recently? Kicking myself, as a buddy and I were out there just a few days ago on Hoolie Bacon looping around, but we neglected to walk the 0.5 x 2 miles just to keep our day shorter. Haven't visited the cave for about a year.

At first glance you think it's possibly a mine shaft but totally could be a natural cave. Never once seen it dry. Did someone tap a spring, or is it just that deeply filled with rainwater? Still have yet to try my new ultralight AntiGravityGear silnylon water bucket. That was gonna be the place I was gonna try it on.

@wildwesthikes Brad's Canyon is named after Roy Bradford. Brad's water is an old prospect that hit a spring. The cabin remains are just north of the prospect hole. [ photo ]

@wallyfrack @wildwesthikes
Do you know if that prospect hole tapped into anything toxic or is the water presumed "safe"?

wallyfrack wrote:Brad's water is an old prospect that hit a spring

Very cool, thank you for sharing! So I guess basically it is a spring.

SJFL wrote:Do you know if that prospect hole tapped into anything toxic or is the water presumed "safe"?

Good question. I've drank that water at least a couple times through a Sawyer (0.1 micron). I am under no illusion that I'm still drinking whatever dissolved minerals are in there. I suppose a gallon dip here and there a couple times per year is probably ok. Presumably quite a few other people do as well.

@SJFL It's assumed to be safe. I know people use it. Same thing for the Miller Mine Spring near the JF & Hoolie Bacon trail junctions.

We have drank on multiple occasions and always presumed it was safe. The ceiling is a little flakey and insecure I remember, swimming is a little cold...

[ photo ]

@friendofThundergod
That's why that water smells funny. I'd boil it now before I'd drink it.

Now I have to remember this the hard way. I don't see a straightforward way to add Brad's Water to my wish list.

I saw someone posted a "light flow" report for the Reavis/Fireline spring earlier this month. And it is listed as one of the "reliable" water sources. I'm headed on a trip soon and want to see if others feel this is a reliable source. Also, is the location obvious? I.e. right at the intersection of Reavis and Fireline?

Many thanks.

It's about as reliable it gets in the Superstitions. I've used that source every trip I've made over the last 12 years or so to the area. While fire is unlikely to change spring hydrology, it's great someone posted a flow report within the last month to confirm.

@nonot
Ok. That sounds good. Thank you. I will pack in enough water to do a roundtrip if necessary. But it sounds good.