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My son wants to take his girlfriend on an overnight hike. I thought Peralta to First Water with an overnight along the way would be a fairly easy hike for a newbie. But... Where to camp?

The plan is, after work on a Friday, drive out to Peralta trailhead, and hike up to and past Fremont Saddle. Do you have a suggestion of any possible camping sites along the 102/104 trails that is large enough for four tents? Preferably, close enough to the saddle so that we can pitch the tents and eat dinner before it gets too dark.

Thanks for any suggestions.

About 1.25 miles north of the saddle is the Pinon camp area which has great views and more than enough space. Another third of a mile north is another location that is also very nice and can fit multiple tents; that one is often used by rock climbers as a bit of a base camp.

xsproutx wrote:About 1.25 miles north of the saddle is the Pinon camp area

What I can see on Route Editor using satellite view, it looks promising. Thanks for the quick response!

There's a very nice though well used campsite (or used to be) slightly southeast of where Peralta meets the Dutchman trail. (on the south side of dutchman trail after it crosses East Boulder Canyon.

However, Western Supes backpacking season may be over, as it's forecast to be in the 90s most days over the next few weeks. Please pay attention to the weather forecast before recommending something to newbies they may not handle well.

nonot wrote:Western Supes backpacking season may be over

Yes, I agree. It is over. I'm doing some long range planning for Fall Break - that time of year. Thanks for helping. I really appreciate it.

nonot wrote:There's a very nice though well used campsite (or used to be)

Still there and is a lot nicer now than even last year; the wet weather the last two years has led to the area recovering very nicely. Even two years ago that spot looked pretty miserable but now it's, dare I say, lushish.

I know you talked about 102/104, but there are some nice camping spots near Hackberry Spring as well. Nice easy hike for a beginner with some awesome views and always plenty of water. Just another option.

nonot wrote:Western Supes backpacking season may be over

@xsproutx

I can confirm the nice set of sites by the junction is in good shape. I didn't stay there on our trip last month (we stayed in Pinon Camp, which is still nice, but bereft of Pinons these days)