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I'm a first time hiker for the Superstitions, and I could use some advice on overnight camping along the Cavalry Trail. Has anyone camped up high? Is there water close? Is there any wood left to burn? And can I bring a flask?

There are some nice spots about 1/2 way along the Calvary.
To be sure (unless you hear otherwise on a followup post) I'd get water in Boulder Canyon (presuming you're coming from the north end of Calvary), although I suspect that there may be some in the Squaw/LaBarge bowl.
Fires are disallowed in the western Sups per the regs.
Heck yeah!
One note - There will be water in Needle Canyon; it makes a scenic option to Calvary.

You do not mention your route or WHEN you are planning this trip, the above water details presume that you are going in the next couple of weeks - although there will be water in Needle into late March.

Thanks for the info Kurt! We will be hiking in from the Canyon Lake Marina, Boulder Canyon Trail. I hope that it is the easiest route, considering we will be packing camping gear. We will be going in the next few weeks, weather permitting. I wonder if it's possible to get a cell phone signal from the upper heights of Cavalry Trail? There is a clear line of sight to 3 towers out to the northwest using Google Earth 3D. You ever tried to get a signal from up there?

I sure HOPE that there's no signal; we should go out in the backcountry to ESCAPE that stuff.

Goldfish, good to see someone spell "Cavalry" the right way.

Unfortunately, I have to try to keep in touch with the cruel world while we're camping on the CALVELRY TRAIL. LOL

There will not be a signal. Just leave the phone at home and SAY you tried - same result.

I like to have a knike when I camp. Can anyone tell me if that is legal is this area?

It should be illegal NOT to have a knife when you're camping! How are you supposed to cut up your taters?! But seriously, you'll find AZ is pretty lax on all their weapons laws and that a knife is an essential tool for any outdoorsman/woman/womyn

hahaha KNIFE CONTROL

te-wa wrote:Goldfish, good to see someone spell "Cavalry" the right way.

Te-wa proposes crucifixion for repeat offenders.

yeah but id like to hear you try to pronounce the word cavalry, after 3 dead guy ales. ;)

I wouldn't bother with pronouncing by then. Fortunately, two is my limit.

Thanks for all the help. I have a few more questions if someone has the time. Where should I park for staying a few days if I enter from the Canyon Lake Marina? It looks like there is parking across the road on Google Earth? And should I worry about camping with critters? I heard they killed a bobcat with rabies a couple of months ago. Maybe the tarantulas are frothing at the mouth now?

South end of the marina parking lot - there are signs.
No. Given a choice, most animals will avoid humans - go and have fun!

The critters to be most worried about in the Supes are HikeAZers - a wild breed. They're easy to recognize because they're generally bleeding from numerous catclaw wounds, wearing cholla on their ankles just for fun, looking around dazed for a lost camera and murmuring something about "twenty more miles and I've got Imike beat"... If your flask contains tequila, I HIGHLY recommend you give them a sip or you could be attacked. Otherwise, it's probably best to announce your presence, explain that you do not have tequila, and step off the trail to the side least likely to cause you bodily injury. As Kurt said, most animals will avoid humans...and I'll add they typically only strike when cornered or left out of a drinking game...

Man, I'm bored today!

In response to writelots:

writelots wrote:The critters to be most worried about in the Supes are HikeAZers - a wild breed. They're easy to recognize because they're generally bleeding from numerous catclaw wounds, wearing cholla on their ankles just for fun, looking around dazed for a lost camera and murmuring something about "twenty more miles and I've got Imike beat"... If your flask contains tequila, I HIGHLY recommend you give them a sip or you could be attacked. Otherwise, it's probably best to announce your presence, explain that you do not have tequila, and step off the trail to the side least likely to cause you bodily injury. As Kurt said, most animals will avoid humans...and I'll add they typically only strike when cornered or left out of a drinking game...

Man, I'm bored today!

That was awesome!!

I've never camped without a camp fire. How do you do that? Is there some kind of artificial fire to dance around?

I think I'll build one. I think two heavy paper cones traveling in different directions with cut-outs of flames over a light maybe?