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a few of us will be heading out to Reevis Ranch for a backpacking trip next week. Has anyone been out there in the last few days? If so, is there snow? When I was about 6 my dad took my brother and I out there and it snowed a ton overnight. I remember waking up when the tent caved in under the weight of the snow. That's been over 30 years ago, though.

I can't confirm if snow at Reavis Ranch, but if you plan to drive in to hike "Reavis Ranch via 109 South" (ie, drive in via FR 172/172A), I would be concerned about the water flow/level crossing the Queen Creek drainage just after turning from FR357 on to FR172. With the recent rains and more to come this week, it could be a high rapids at that spot. One would definitely need a heaver-high clearance vehicle to safely cross if this is the case. A group of us were planning on camping further in on FR172 this Christmas week and have had to reschedule it to next week due to present wet, cold, and water crossing concerns this week. I am planning on a scouting trip out there manana-12/24, so will report back tomorrow night..if we return!

Keep an eye on the weather forecast. Reavis is at 4800 feet, and this weekend there is snow forecast down to 3000-3500 feet, with as much as 2-4 inches. Give it a couple of days for the forecast to get more accurate though. If you're going on Saturday or Sunday, there may very well be snow there, but by later next week it might have melted as right now it "looks" like we're going to get into a warmer, sunnier weather pattern.

We still haven't received anything but a dusting of snow in Payson at 5000 ft. There has not been any from here to Phx at all the elevations inbewteen. We have gotten 3.5 inches in the past week and 1/2 of rain but just two inches of snow off and on. The creeks are really flowing up here and the ground is saturated.

I'll be heading out to Reavis Ranch, Circlestone and Reavis Falls the Sunday following Christmas. My hope is that the sunny weather forecasts for those days are accurate, and that the falls are running strong. Otherwise, I'm just going to have a western Supes backup plan and check the forecast every day from now until then.

Grasshopper wrote:I am planning on a scouting trip up FR172 to Byous Butte 12/24, so will report back

Having just returned from a 6 mile drive up FR172 today, I am pleased to report that there was "no water running" at the FR172 crossing at Queen Creek and little if any water running along the road and in the washes as far up as Byous Butte. The ground is very saturated from rains this past week, so depending on how much more this area receives this 12/24pm and 12/25, things could change pretty quickly, but as of now it is GOOD TO GO!

Actually kind of a bummer, running water is good.

Isn't that road like 20 miles long? Just because there wasn't snow or a creek to forge at 6 miles doesn't mean there won't be any at the ranch. That place is fun with snow, hope it gets some soon.

we just dont want too much running water at Queen Creek to make an impassable crossing. You can lose control in as little as 4 inches, just watch the AJ news after a storm! (conjure up the visual of a hillbilly in a wifebeater standing on his F-150 yelling for help*)
I remember a dusting of snow when Tim and I went to Reavis with Brad and Dario. Years ago!



*and dont tell anyone it was me

Looks like there will be a decent group of you going to Reavis next weekend. Never been there, is it a pretty big camping area? I will be hiking in next Friday with a small group of older (16-19 yr old) Scouts. We are only spending one night, then going back out on Saturday. - Dave

mrdave wrote:Looks like there will be a decent group of you going to Reavis next weekend. Never been there, is it a pretty big camping area? I will be hiking in next Friday with a small group of older (16-19 yr old) Scouts. We are only spending one night, then going back out on Saturday. - Dave

Dave - I used to guide older Scout Troops into the Reavis area quite a bit, especially in winter. If you have any questions as to what to do and not to do just PM me. What route are you taking, where do you want to camp, what do you want to see, etc., etc...

Thanks for responding. We will be taking several hikes over the next several months, to get ourselves back into better shape to get ready for a hike down to Havasupai, or (if they don't have it opened back up) down Bright Angel, or another Grand Canyon hike right after school gets out in May 2009.

I have done quite a few other Superstition Hikes, but have never had the chance to go to Reavis. Really don't know what it is like in there, other than looking at everyone's pictures. It looks great, but not sure where the ideal camping spots etc. are, we were just going to get in there, then wing it the best we can. With all this rain, we are hoping the creek will be running so we don't have to carry too much weight in water, and can just carry water in and filter for coming back out. If can't find out for sure if the creek is running, we will hike in what we need, to make sure we have enough. We will be starting from South, Rogers Trough, and going in, and then back out to Rogers Trough, just a one-nighter. Any info, or things to see, things to look for, etc. would be great. The guys are in good shape, and have backpacked before, but we haven't been for a while, so looking to get tuned back up. - Dave

cool weather. water at the Ranch. you'll need 2 quarts.
'rest is already there.
reavis can possibly hold 200 people. of course, that means there are several areas to camp. one of the best is at the junction with the Reavis Gap trail in the North Orchard.

Make sure you identify to all your Scouts the trail junction in Roger's Canyon as you backpack in that will take you to the Cliff Dwellings in Angel Basin as opposed to Reavis Ranch. Some people not paying attention take the wrong direction when they backpack out and you do not want Scouts on the wrong trails this time of the year. Also if the weather is slowing you down some and you decide not to backpack up into the higher country of Reavis Ranch you can just continue on down to Angel Basin and camp near the cliff dwellings instead.

Where ever you decide to go on the day that you backpack in, pick a campsite that has an ample supply of firewood nearby so you can enjoy some campfire spirit and warmth before you pack it in for the night. In other words avoid the hardened well used campsites that have no firewood nearby. Save some firewood under plastic for in the morning in case it is wet, windy and cold or all the above. It can get very cold at Reavis as I saw it at 11 degrees one morning during the winter break of 1988/1989. So be prepared for that!

Should it continue to rain consider hiking in from the north trailhead off of Apache Trail. You can easily drive this Trail Head road as well as hike the trail which used to be a road into Reavis Ranch, whereas USFS road 172 and 172A can be or become impassable during extended rain showers. Many people coming in from the southern route over the years have had to wait a day or two untill the road and washes dried out. In 1983 about 200 older Scouts and their leaders were stranded at Reavis a few days and all had to hike out the north trail and be picked up by National Guard six by six trucks at the north Trail Head and conveyed back down the road and across the wash at Tortilla Flat.

There are a number of historic sites along both trails that you can see and visit but you will probably be to busy just backpacking in and out to visit them. Reavis Grave from the south and numerous indian village sites that most people and maps do not show. Some of these are within sight of the trail but most people won't recognize them even if they were to walk through them. One shortly after the Reavis Grave and another as you enter the valley from the north are within spitting distance of the trail.

PM me if you want more specific information. I also can tell you quite a bit about what you can see within the Reavis Ranch valley itself.

Thanks for the info and tips, it is appreciated. I'm not up on all the lingo what is "PM"? Is that a way to catch up wtih you directly? Yes, a good warm campfire is a must. Is there a better part of the valley that should have more wood than the other? Thanks - Dave

Ooops - spoke too soon, I see the little PM button to do a private message. Thanks. I like reading alot about the various hikes, but do not really use the Fourms much. I need to more as there is some great help and info out there. - Thanks Dave