Help Plan a Long Hike -- Woods Canyon to the Highline

[ljcygnet]

Hi guys.

I live off the Control Road in Payson, and have backpacked around the area quite a bit, but need some guidance on parts of this route.

I'm toying with a week(ish) long solo trip starting next Saturday with an itinerary that goes approximately:

-- Rimtop Trailhead to Willow Springs Canyon. I know a spot where I can drop down into the canyon about a mile and a half from the Confluence with Chevelon. Drop down into the canyon there.

-- Back up Woods Canyon, exit the canyon about a half mile or so before the dam, cut south to the General Crook.

-- General Crook to the trailhead down See Canyon Trail

-- Follow the Highline home.

The part I'm hanging up on is Woods Canyon to See Canyon Trail. I've avoided this area (crowds) and I'm not sure if there are any water sources between Woods Canyon and Christopher Creek. Are we talking several miles without water? Need to plan accordingly LOL. I might cache something.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Anyone done Woods Canyon recently to report on the conditions?

[nonot]

In the stretch you are concerned about there are small cow puddles up there that may or may not have water, such as near Hole in the Ground. Whether you'd want to drink from them is another matter. If you live in the area it seems pretty easy to scout them out the weekend before, or even right before your trip. Many of them are within a hundred yards of the rim road.

Obviously walking around Woods Canyon Lake stretches your last source of water by about another 2 miles rather than cutting off before the lake.

I would plan on carrying all your water for that stretch, as when I did that same stretch, I believe I carried all my water from Horton springs up to the rim road and then back to the 260 TH. Dropping in at See springs shaves a few miles off of that so it is possible for your plans as well.

Will help if you do this in cooler weather when you don't burn through your water as quickly. But up on the rim its flat walking and shaded so it's not too difficult which also helps reduce consumption.

It was years ago and I don't remember all the details.
For reference:
[ gps route ]

[ljcygnet]

@nonot

Thanks. I usually just carry iodine on long trips, with a little cheap filter as an emergency backup, so I'll plan on no water then. Or cache something, depending on how hot it's looking.

Hiking along the backside of Woods Canyon and then cutting down to the General Crook on logging roads is a thought that hadn't occurred to me. Hmm. Good idea. I'm trying to avoid crowds, but if I hit it on a weekday early in the morning it shouldn't be too bad, even Labor Day week.