HikeArizona.COM

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.

You pick a hike/trail and post a triplog, it isn't that difficult. After awhile Joe stopped encouraging loop descriptions, with the idea you tag the first trail (Say Dutchman's) and link the rest of the trails as part of your triplog.

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear there's some water hanging out on coffee flat. The pool you mention near dripping springs, was it east of it and how big would you say it is? If that's the one I think it is, I've been a bit curious as I've seen it a couple times where it was damn near a swimming pool weeks and weeks after a rain. I like camping at the Red Tank junction there as there are reliable hammock areas and usually water nearby with beautiful views.

@xsproutx
The pool I mentioned at Dripping Springs was west. But calling it a pool is way generous. It was a small puddle that contained ample water. It was the first filterable water I came across between Reeds and Dripping Springs. I would guess it wasn't more than an 1/8th or 1/12th of a mile west of Dripping Springs, at most. Very close.

But again, there was water in one form or another all around there.

I found one camp spot at the RT/CF junction; more like a couple hundred yards up RT. But that was pretty thick in vegetation and wasn't flat. So, I parked it on the bank of the drainage in a beautiful grassy spot. There was some rock above me, but I somehow felt it was a manageable risk. There were some dead/high'ish trees nearby to hang food. Was kind of perfect, in many ways.

The pool at Hackberry Spring was lower than I remembered it yesterday. However, it's been six or seven years since the last time I was there.

Hey friends,

Coming from Colorado with a few co-workers for our first experience of the Sups. We are experienced backpackers with a lot of years under our belt.

A few questions regarding Water Sources as a of the New Year; we'll be heading to AZ on Jan. 6. Any beta would be helpful.

How are these looking, and generally this time of year. I have read the other reports above, so that helps me get somewhere.

- Water along Peter's Trail #105
- Water along Hoolie Bacon Trail #111
- Water along JF trail #106
- Water along Coffee Flat trail #108

I saw some previous recommendations to stash water at the Woodbury Trailhead, but obviously if we can avoid that we will.

@CRLancelot12
I'll let others with more Supes experience address your specific questions, but if you didn't see this other recent thread, you may find useful information here: [ Water, Superstition Wilderness ]

Additionally, while it has been pretty dry so far this season, there was about 1" of rain over the area a week ago, a little more expected this week, and a stronger storm forecast for Sunday (1/7) that could net another inch or so (and low snow levels), I'd expect finding water will not be a concern at least after the 7th.

CRLancelot12 wrote: ↑Jan 01 2024 8:34 pm Hey friends,

Coming from Colorado with a few co-workers for our first experience of the Sups. We are experienced backpackers with a lot of years under our belt.

A few questions regarding Water Sources as a of the New Year; we'll be heading to AZ on Jan. 6. Any beta would be helpful.

How are these looking, and generally this time of year. I have read the other reports above, so that helps me get somewhere.

- Water along Peter's Trail #105
- Water along Hoolie Bacon Trail #111
- Water along JF trail #106
- Water along Coffee Flat trail #108

I saw some previous recommendations to stash water at the Woodbury Trailhead, but obviously if we can avoid that we will.

Under normal circumstances those trails are pretty dry. Recent rain could provide some pools, but you're not passing much in the way of reliable water sources.

@CRLancelot12
As a beginner still, I started asking about the Superstitions here.

I'm planning a first hike there in late January. So you all will be ahead of me.

If, after your hike, you can report what you found about water - or anything else - I would appreciate it.

Agree with @big_load here. You'll find water on coffee flat between Reeds Water (a well that you'll need cordage and a bail to get but it's good water) and dripping spring but that's the only spot that I would count on. I was out last weekend and there was water in pools and rocks here and there so if you're really going out tomorrow, you'll probably find water in a lot of places but on those trails, it's just the trapped rain water from the storm we got a couple of weeks ago. Key word there is "probably" which isn't the same as "will" of course.

I must admit, I've been tempted by that group of trails and once planned a trip covering most of them. I scrapped it when I couldn't devise a water strategy I liked.

@big_load
I love the area and the views! Also likely to not see a single person usually which is always a fun bonus.
A few years ago, a lot of them were going to make you donate a lot of DNA to the desert but there have been at least a few of us carrying clippers with us and they're not near as bad right now. Still not the best, but a lot better than they were at least. In some ways I wish there was more traffic on that side to help really establish the trails/create a more consistent water report/etc but it's also nice just... not being that.

All,

I spent 1 overnight in the Superstitions on Jan 2-3 on a 12 mile loop starting from First Water Trailhead, heading to Second Water, Boulder Canyon, and then back via Dutchman. There was very little water anywhere. That said, there are very few pools with water clear enough to filter, but no flowing water anywhere. I chose to not use local water sources, as with my single overnight camping plan I brought enough water for my 2 day trip to not need to restore water bottles.

On another hike on Jan 5, I hiked Hackberry Springs loop form First Water Trailhead. Again, very little water anywhere. Even the very reliable Hackberry Springs, had just a small pool with no flowing water, but enough enough clear water in pools to be filtered and/or treated for drinking.

This is some of the driest I've see the Superstitions. But keeping a fair mind, there is still enough water to filter and treat for drinking, but each water spot must be considered the last water spot one has. I look forward to spring rains to restore water everywhere.

I hope to hike the east end of the Superstitions, perhaps a loop around Minor's Needle and assess Coffee Flat, Whiskey Springs, but that won't be until next weekend, so others will probably report on water sooner than I will.

Enjoy your exploring,

Chris

Sounds like I"m late to the game for purposes of your trip, but I did a long day hike a couple of weeks ago, covering Peters and Hoolie Bacon. No water at all. Closest was Charlebois Spring, which is always reliable. Hope you made it work.