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.

[Grasshopper]

Has anyone traversed this route/trail or know its name?

Bet that Irv Kanode knows..

[nonot]

Aerial reconnasaince indicates there is a very nasty portion getting from the pinto trough past parsons spring into log trough. The rest looks like it may be doable.

Fireline is OK too, I might take a short trip to see circlestone if we go that way, conditions permitting.

[te_wa]

Fireline is OK too, I might take a short trip to see circlestone if we go that way, conditions permitting.

sounds like that may be the case. I'll check out Circlestone w/you. Id also like to top Mound Mountain someday. and Iron Mountain. So how tired do you think we'll be? :badgrin:

[nonot]

Can we throw in Picacho Butte and LaBarge Mountain, that's only an additional couple of miles....vertically

We can probably bag Mound peak from Circlestone, unless someone knows of a problem with that.

Are you going to fit a chainsaw in with your ultralight equipment for Iron Mountain?

[Desertroux]

Are you going to fit a chainsaw in with your ultralight equipment for Iron Mountain?

I was not aware that your hiking style required trail maintenance Steve...

[DarthStiller]

I'm in for sure now. Got the baby sitter verified for that Saturday. Now I need to figure out how to pack for one of these kinds of hikes.

[te_wa]

spare socks!!

the rest is moot. chances of rain are slim. bring food and "beverages". Reavis will be the coldest location with an average nighttime low of 30. Dripping springs and Chalebois are much lower in elevation with expected lows of 45-48. Not bad!
Cooler nights mean fewer scorpions and snakes, so a tarp is all I need. Stiller, wanna buy a tarp? (you only need then a peice of Tyvek and 8 titanium stakes for a total shelter system weight of 12 ounces. Think of all the GUINESS you can carry with no big 'ol tent taking up all the pack room.

[Hoffmaster]

Stiller, wanna buy a tarp?

I want mine! I have a chance to use it next weekend. Grand Canyon. I know that is short notice, but I definitely want it for this trip (Supes).
How many weeks left? I can't wait for this trip.

What kind of footwear is everyone gonna have? I'm concerned about my feet getting sore. I not sold on Superfeet.

[fairweather8588]

i'll be rocking some north face trailrunners, got em for a gift and theyre crazy light. ive got some superfeets, and dont notice em... Maybe thats the point?

[DarthStiller]

I don't want to risk ANY possibility of waking up with any creepy-crawlies. I need a tent that will seal that out. I work in Fountain Hills te-wa, so if you have something else I can run over during lunch and check it out. If not, Matt, do you still have that smaller tent you told me about? I'm gonna need to run over some weekend to tempe marketplace by the 202, maybe I can stop by your place if you're not gone for a weekend. my neighbor just let me borrow some of his gear. he did a 6-day/81 mile hike in Alaska over Labor Day weekend, so I'm also getting advice from him.

[Hoffmaster]

Stiller,

As long as te-wa makes my shelter soon I will let use my Eureka Solitaire tent. Unfortunately though, I am occupied every weekend between now and the trip. However, I will be in Fountain Hills most of the day next Friday (10/12) so I could bring it to you, and you could take it home and play with it.

[Ace4]

I hope there are more hikes like this soon, I can't make this one. A friend from back east is going to Death Valley that week, and I can't pass that opportunity up.

[fairweather8588]

Drats, looks like we'll miss skurka finishing up his western loop at grandview point on the 3rd. Oh well

[DarthStiller]

Ok, I did my training hike on Sunday and my feet are still hurting. I really don't believe I can handle 4 days consecutively doing 14+ miles hikes in that terrain. More to the point, my feet wouldn't handle it. However, I feel very confident than I can handle two 12-13 mile hikes for two days. Therefore, I have decided that on Thurs., Nov. 1, I'm going to leave my car at either the Woodbury or Rogers Trough TH and make it a 2 day hike for me. I've never done an overnighter camping before, so I think its wise for me to start off slower and not get in over my head, which I think could easily happen. Two days should also make my pack a little lighter, which should also help my feet out. (And I'm sure my wife will appreciate not being left alone with the kids for 4 days by herself.)

My question for everyone is: Does anyone want me to take anything out in my car on Thurs. for a cache? I kind of prefer to park at Rogers Trough TH since its easier to hike to from Angel Basin, but if anyone wants me to take anything out, I would be happy to park at Woodbury. (Also, since my neighbor is following me out and he doesn't have a 4WD, it might be easier on his pickup to go to Woodbury, and I can hang with the crew for a few extra miles). Let me know if anyone wants to take advantage of this so I can decide where to park.

I also think it might be not a bad idea to have a vehicle close by at the halfway point in case someone gets injured or otherwise finds themselves in over their heads by the end of a strenuous Day 2.

[te_wa]

I'll be going in to Dripping Spring to cache some goodies on the 28th. That way I can have my cake and eat it too, literally.

I wanted to stress one more time that if anyone thinks for any reason you may not be up for this hike, especially if you have never done an overnighter, you may want to consider trying this another time. It is definately a hike for the experienced and seasoned backpacker. I would hate to feel responsible for your blisters/broke leg/rattlesnake bites.

Stiller has a good plan so anyone who wants to join us but cant do the entire 4 days or just doesnt want to hike that far, maybe you can work out something with him. So far the shuttle vehicle we have is currently full- so the trip may be capped at 6 people. (not including Kurt's group)
This is actually more of a turnout than I had expected- I never thought I'd find so many nuts on this forum- but what the hell if youre crazy sign up... theres still time.

[DarthStiller]

I would like to further clarify/iterate in my offer to use my car as a cache that it will involve a cooler and cold beverages, should anyone so choose. I'll have a couple cold Propels and Cokes for the ride home. Drippings Springs is only 3.7 miles away, should be enough time to keep a six pack from getting too warm....

[Desertroux]

I did something dumb.....

I took a job offer.....

I will be in North Carolina from Oct 22 until November 9 for training. It is with much heartfelt regret that I will be absent from the voyage I always wanted to do. Still will take the trip someday.

My brother will still shuttle everyone to the start point. I wish you guys well and I expect a in depth triplog upon safe return.

It is the only time I really could do the training before we plan to open the restaurant. I will make it out to AZ a little later in the winter with the Grand Canyon in my sights to do a nice backpack and some fishing.

Hate some rabbits, steadily quote the Chappel show and Napoleon Dynamite, and drop a dugas or two for your 'ol buddy RouX.

[fairweather8588]

I promise you will be on my mind everytime i answer "you're mom goes to college.." and my personal favorite.. ".COM! (because dude, that makes it sound so much worse)

[tahoemike]

Nobody seems much interested in doing the whole state, so I think I'll throw my hat into this one...

[Hoffmaster]

Nobody seems much interested in doing the whole state, so I think I'll throw my hat into this one...

Cool dude! Welcome aboard! But, does this mean that you're giving up on the AZT? If so, that's a bummer. I'd love to try something like that, but I have this pesky thing called "work". I don't get enough vacation time unfortunately.

matt