HikeArizona.COM

anyone know how long upper first water will be flowing? would like to head out when there is water, but wont be able to till next week.

I don't know, but most similar washes would only run for a day or two at the most. By next weekend there will likely only be some remaining pools, but little or no running water.

Of course, there is still the forecast potential for showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday night, so if the upstream area gets hit with something that drops 2+ inches, there might be some flow until about Thursday or so.

Chumley,

I can't believe that you don't know how long the creek will be flowing! What's wrong with you? Everyone knows that Upper Firstwater will be flowing until Friday at 11:59 PM, when it will then abruptly stop flowing before any weekend warriors can see it.





;-)

I was out this past W/E in Upper First Water and West Boulder. Saturday UFW was a banshee as was WBC. WBC was kayakable. By Sunday AM WBC had subsided, but only by about 1/2. O'Grady, same thing. Obviously, it's still raining, with more forecasted for tomorrow, Tuesday. With the ground already saturated and the thin top soil in that area, it's anyone's guess.
It sure was beautiful out there with every single thing that could flow, flowing. Waterfalls everywhere!
Barring a 50 year rain I'd guess-ti-mate that you'd be able to hike UFW by this weekend, if not before - you'd still get wet, but it would be 'do-able'.

Looking closely at the radar maps two cells passed over the Superstitions today.

The western Superstitions have a magical attribute for flowing water longer than seems feasible. It's all rock with a light layer of dirt acting as a big slow drip sponge on some of those slopes. The only real exit is various forms down to Canyon Lake. No clue on next weekend but I've been flat out astonished in the past.

Massacre Falls was flowing strong last night.

The nearest rain gauge is on Fish Creek, and has registered only .89".

Roosevelt Dam has received .79".

Today and tomorrow are probably the best days to be out there ... and least crowded. With the recent weather, this weekend may be more crowded in the Superstitions than in the mall. (Ok, that might be a slight stretch.)

Apache Trail was closed yesterday evening past Tortilla Flats because Tortilla Creek is a raging effin' river.