Superstitions Water

[SJFL]

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.

[wildwesthikes]

Bad monsoon is one way of putting it. I will be out there in a couple weeks after I get back from a long Colorado trip otherwise I would have been out there this weekend, solely to assess the water situation. Supes have actually been open all this time - only like 5% has been closed and mainly areas not known for backpacking or water. I will be carrying my 6 liters of water for the 24 hours I go in next time unless someone finally steps in and posts a dang water report.

The sources you listed should be reliable in a normal year, but they are generally a trickle into pools on a good day, until at least mid-late November or even into December when more rain comes in. In a wet year many drainages will flow but put that out of your mind this year unless we get a freak storm. Best time to expect water out there: Very end of January through February we get some winter storms that recharge the basin and that is when the crowds appear, up through April.

LaBarge is the most reliable source in that entire wilderness. Charlebois is considered to be as reliable generally. I can't imagine either would ever go completely dry but you never know. It hasn't been this dry since like 1924 I read recently. Cannot speak for Reavis as it's been a long time since I've been over there myself. I guess it's all burned to hell now. Maybe someone with a Jeep can report back in. No clue why there aren't more reports from that side lately as it's only been Dutchman west into the LD state park that burned very recently and got closed.

[SJFL]

@wildwesthikes
Yeah. I was in last Feb and March and there was water flowing all around. It was also an amazing winter rains last year. I think I'll put plenty of water in the car and take out enough to get me through two days/one night just in case it is completely dry. Of course if anyone else weighs in, that would be great.

Thanks for weighing in.

[hikerdw]

On June 30th LaBarge Spring had water as reported on the site.

[SJFL]

@hikerdw
I hear you.

Alas, July, August, September and up until yesterday have been brutally dry. And I don't know what's feeding this spring... so it's hard to know whether it's still bubbling or not.

[hikerdw]

@SJFL I’d be really surprised if it were dry. It may be low but not dry. It’s a short hike to take a look and provide a report.

[AugustWest]

6/20 Reavis had good flow.

[big_load]

Charlebois is considered to be as reliable generally. I can't imagine either would ever go completely dry but you never know.

A few years ago I bushwhacked back through the jungle there and worked my way up into the bare rock canyon above, hoping to find something interesting. There looks to be much more water in the jungle area (and its alluvium) than in the pool, although there's no practical way to get at it. Judging by the region it drains, I'm not surprised that it's generally reliable.

[xsproutx]

I should be going on Friday to do an overnight, just planning on doing the boulder canyon loop with a trip to la barge. I'll update accordingly

[SJFL]

@xsproutx
That's great. Thanks for offering that. I'm planning on going in the following week.

[SJFL]

@xsproutx
Hey there. Just checking to see if you were able to make it out and find any water. Pending a report, I will be heading in tomorrow or Wednesday.

All best.

[xsproutx]

@SJFL
Sorry, when the forecast changed from the 93 it was a week before the trip to 100, I changed plans. Haven't hiked that area before so didn't feel comfortable with that temperature knowing I'd have to carry a bunch of extra water as well

[SJFL]

@xsproutx
Ok. Thanks for getting back to me.

If I go in I'll obviously post a report.

[AugustWest]

I was in Boulder Canyon up to where it joins 2nd Water a couple of weeks ago. Everything is dry. Didn't go up LaBarge, but i don't think I need to. My best advice to anyone looking for water in the Supe's right now is to carry it in.

[SJFL]

@AugustWest
Thank you for replying.

I am going to pack in 9 liters to get me through two days. It will a heavy pack for sure.

If I don't find anything in there I'll back out. If I do find something, well, great.

[wallyfrack]

The spring next to Second Water trail about 1/4 up from Boulder creek had good water on 10/3.

[ photo ]

[SJFL]

@wallyfrack
That's the first report of recent water that I have heard. Thank you.

Is this the one that is labeled "second water spring" on the green map? If I were heading south on Boulder Canyon Trail from the trailhead at Canyon lake, I would hit the junction with second water. And then I would head about 1/4 mile down second water and that's where there was water?

By the way, just looked at your pictures--what an incredible collection of sherds you found.

[wallyfrack]

It's the unnamed spring next to the trail. There was lots of water below the spring with algae in it so you can't miss it.

[SJFL]

@wallyfrack
Again. Thank you very much. Will check it out later this week. Hope to be in there for a few days.

[sandyfortner]

Hoping to do a 3 - 4 day backpack in the Supes the first week of November but not seeing any current water reports. Any info on water on Dutchman, Whiskey Springs, Bluff Springs, Red Tanks - anything in that area? Thanks!