january superstition backpacking trip help

[arizonacurious]

hi there

at the start of january, a friend and i are flying into phoenix for a quick backpacking trip in the superstitions.
we are experienced backpackers (mostly in the sierra, utah, and the northeast) and in good hiking shape, but this will be our first time in this range.

this website has been incredibly helpful for giving me a lay of the land.
i have a rough trip idea and would love any and all opinions from local experts!

a map is here [ Route Editor ] .

the basic outline is: 
-- in and out from first water TH, 
-- camping in the vicinity of charlebois spring for two nights, 
-- with a 10-15 mile dayhike on day 2.


some questions:

-- i gather that it hasn't rained since august. if there is no rain between now and our trip, charlebois (or a mile away at labarge?) may be some of the only certain water to be found -- is that right? this assumption of mine is why this is a layover trip and not a wider loop. i'd much prefer to do the later, but it doesn't seem in the cards?

-- for the in and out days 1 and 3, it seems that we have roughly three options: duchman's, black mesa, and second water/boulder canyon/calvary. which two would you choose, and which direction for each?

-- would you alter the day 2 dayhike in any way? there are a few options drawn on the map, ranging from 10 to 15 miles. we are mostly interested in cool scenery.

-- finally, i would've loved to incorporate the flatiron and associated ridge walk into the trip, but it seems that there may be no certain water for many miles -- is that right?

thanks so much!

[phoebe]

Wondering all of this, too. My family and I will be there around the same time (January 4-7ish) and are planning to go to the same area. Wondering specifically about water.

[ShatteredArm]

Charlebois is the only water I'd count on right now based on what I saw a few weeks ago, maybe La Barge Spring but that probably won't help with route options. For a day hike I'd suggest maybe going up Trap Canyon and back down via the Upper La Barge box.

[hikeaz]

You may want to read up on The Battleship as an interesting, albeit somewhat strenuous day-trip. [ Battleship Mountain - Superstitions ] A more interesting route to/from the Battleship/Boulder Canyon from Charlebois (vs. Calvary or Bull Pass) may be Needle Canyon. [ Route Editor ] You will likely find pothole water about 1/4 mi. s/e of Boulder Canyon.

[arizonacurious]

thanks so much for the info.
our trip unfortunately got cancelled but i appreciate your help