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The Payson Roudup newspaper had an article about a couple of hikers overdue from a hike in the Superstitions. The were at Reavis Ranch and Pinal County Sheriff's Dept. was contacted. Pinal County contacted Gila County to conduct the search when the overdue hikers showed up. The article stated they could not find water so they spent another day in an attempt to find water. Interesting though Reavis Ranch is located in Maricopa County.

Interesting, I was just on a hike in the 'Supes (Dutchman's -> Bluff Springs) where my group became lost on the Bluff Springs trail. We 'almost' were starting to think of staying another night when he happened upon our trail again.

There is a search and rescue team whose main area of responsibility is the Superstitions and they are run by Pinal County.
They are the first ones called when anything happens in the Supes.

Looks like the Pinal County Sheriff's Dept. couldn't read a map.

Some facts you need to consider when you get in trouble in any wilderness. Cell phone calls for assistance made from high peaks can be picked up by cell phone towers hundreds of miles away. Therefore another County 911 operator is handling your call. He or she needs to know your exact location and where you starting hiking from. And this is very important if the 911 operator is unfamiliar with where you are calling from.

ASK THAT YOUR CALL BE ROUTED TO THE CORRECT 911 COUNTY DISPATCH IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOUR CALL IS BEING HANDLED FROM THE WRONG COUNTY. IF YOU DO NOT, YOU MAY BE ADDING MANY HOURS TO THE RESPONSE TIME OF THE SEARCH & RESCUE TEAMS!

One man calling from the eastern part of the Superstitions reached a cell phone tower in New Mexico! He was only calling a friend to brag about where he was and he ended up paying $35 in roaming charges.

Search & Rescue units are often short of volunteers or busy on another call and then the Sheriff's Deputy has to call on the assistance from neighboring Countys. You want the unit that is familiar with the area you are in. They know the roads, trailheads, trails and where most people get lost or injured.