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Last night, around 7:30, I noticed a red glow coming from the Superstition Mountain Ridgeline. There were two fires burning. The first was a small fire just below the 5057 summit and the other appeared to be above the Three Sisters rock formation, above the Wave Cave. I called 9-1-1 to notify the fire dept but they were already aware of the fires.

This morning, the fires were not burning but there's still smoke coming from areas that were not burning last night. As of 07:30, as I'm writing this, there are no aircraft in the area of the fires. Don't know if the Forest Service is just hoping that there's not enough fuel up there to send a crew up to fight the fires.

I would like to confirm that the road off of State Route 88 to First Water Trailhead is closed. This was first reported August 30th by AzLumberjack. Went out this morning to see the damage by the fire and the barricades in place are not temporary but appear permanent. Looks like another road that is going to be unavailable to us for a long time.

@SuperstitionGuy

"This Order will be in effect at_0600__. on August 25, 2020 and shall remain in effect until September 30, 2020 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first."
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 792706.pdf

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 792705.pdf

Not much open, at least in TNF >> https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/ho ... EPRD759501

hikeaz wrote:Not much open, at least in TNF

They should have taken that page down a month ago. Tonto is now in Stage 1, as Stage 3 was downgraded on 7/31.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/al ... ?aid=60539

@chumley Its expected, I mean they are the worst managed national forest in AZ? ;)

chumley wrote:They should have taken that page down a month ago.

Yeah.....all that typing over the course of a month could tucker-out a guy/gal...

SuperstitionGuy wrote:State Route 88 to First Water Trailhead is closed.

I've been checking the entrance to First Water Road on a daily basis, although the FS Security isn't present anymore, the roadblock is more permanent. It appears as though the barricade is intended to keep vehicles out and if you can find parking room, hiking is still permitted. I think the FS is having a big wiener roast up there and don't want freeloaders showing up.

@AZLumberjack
On the bottom of every post you quote the following.
"On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip."
I suggest you change it to this.....
"On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another road blocked. Today the road block was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the last trip."

@SuperstitionGuy
Hah. Seems like that's the way its been going the last couple of years.

Recent Update.... I have been checking the status of the First Water Road on an almost daily basis but the "ROAD CLOSURE" sign and barricades are still in place. I decided to park my truck along the Apache Trail where the First Water Road takes off and walk the road to the Crosscut Trailhead. From the empty parking lot I took the trail leading to the Massacre Grounds. I followed the trail to the old Massacre Trailhead and made a return 'off-trail'.

As I was returning to my vehicle, I noticed a white pickup parked at the barricades belonging to the Forest Service. I talked with the FS guy as I was removing my stuff and he made the comment; "You can't hike in there any more". Well, that got me going. We had a bit of friendly (?) back & forth but the results is that the Tonto Forest is closed until further notice due to the extremely dry conditions. That means.... NO HIKING IN THE SUPERSTITIONS, Period. and the road remains closed.

I will have a triplog posted with photos taken from this morning's hiking adventure.

AZLumberjack wrote:the Tonto Forest is closed until further notice due to the extremely dry conditions. That means.... NO HIKING IN THE SUPERSTITIONS, Period

Your "FS Guy" gave you information that is wildly different from what his employer provides to the public through it's official information channels. (See @friendofthundergod 's thoughtful commentary on the Tonto NF on this forum )

The vast majority of the Superstitions is open. The closure area is clearly marked (and yes, you were in violation of it). And the closure does not have anything to do with the dry conditions (thus adjacent lands on the same ranger district are still open), but rather the Superstition Fire. The current closure order is set to expire on September 30.

The map showing the closure area you were hiking through can be found on the Tonto NF Website under "Alerts".
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices

MAP of Superstition Fire closure area:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 792706.pdf

chumley wrote:The vast majority of the Superstitions is open.

Don't know what to tell ya Chums, this guy said that Peralta is closed as well. Must be something brand new.

Peralta Trailhead is listed as "the border" of the Superstition Fire closure order set to expire in Sept 30th, as a separate closure from the general stage 1 closure. So it is on the border, and usually the line that divides the border is off-limits, meaning you could seem to drive to 10 yards of the trailhead but can't actually enter the trailhead area itself.

It's not a new closure.

Link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 792705.pdf

@AZLumberjack

In typical TNF fashion ..

@AZLumberjack
Here's a map: I'd guess less than 10% of the wilderness is subject to closure. Admittedly it is tough to hike some of the trails that are open due tot he associated trailhead being closed, but it is what it is.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 792706.pdf

@AZLumberjack Peralta TH is open, but Peralta trail is closed. That appears to be the east boundary of the closure. The Bluff Springs and Dutchman trails are open.

If you want something confusing give it to the government to define......

@rayhuston
Thank you, your reply is as specific as a reply can be.

SuperstitionGuy wrote: ↑Sep 17 2020 1:33 pm If you want something confusing give it to the government to define......

From a TNF gathering...

Wow I don't think I've seen a Dilbert comic since like 2003.

If it were me I'd just bypass the controversy and start at boulder TH or Tortilla TH though I know the drive is a bit of a roller coaster.

BTW if anyone happens out on Peter's Trail way this weekend as an alt, and down to the bottom with Dutchman please let me know what the water is like at Charlebois (and/or LarBarge). Long shot of either being entirely dry but weirder things have happened this year. I'd go myself but have previous engagement. Kthx.

wildwesthikes wrote: ↑Sep 17 2020 4:23 pm Wow I don't think I've seen a Dilbert comic since like 2003.

Actually done by a 'guest artist' , Tapper ..... invited to draw it by Scott Adams.