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We are headed out for an overnighter at Keet Seel. I know the water in the stream is bad water but I also hear that there is a spring somewhere near camp .....any beta on this spring ?
We will be carrying our water for the hike but I want to at least know where this spring is ?

There's water in the creek, too, usually. However, the rangers will check your pack to make certain you are carrying 2 gallons, at least they did when I went. There were a couple in my group who were trying to get away with less, and they wouldn't let them go unless they agreed to carry 2 gallons!

I can't recollect where the spring is, it's been 13 years since I went, pretty sure I never saw it.

@azbackpackr
That's like 17 extra pounds!

Do you suppose it will rain this weekend ? I am thinking of ditching my tent ...

desertgirl wrote:Do you suppose it will rain this weekend ? I am thinking of ditching my tent ...

The best way to know about the weather is to check the HAZ Forecast in the upper right corner of every hike page. Here is the weather forecast from the Keet Seel page http://hikearizona.com/forecast.php?e=T ... RNd05ESTM= You look ok on the precip front but the wind looks gruesome.

I don't think you can count on any potable or filterable water on this hike. I think it's pretty badly contaminated with biologicals and heavy metals. We dayhiked it so we were not as concerned about water. We cached water for our hike out after the "stairs" just before dropping into where the creeks merge.

You can filter water at any of the side streams enroute to the Ruins, although do not directly from the river. Carry your water filter and be on the lookout for flowing streams in side, grassy areas - your best areas to filter. A couple years ago our group "found" the running water area close to the campground, filled all our water containers and were immediately CAUGHT by the park ranger who came VERY close to making us turn around and hike that same day. He did comfirm there are places to filter water.

I most certainly did leave my tent behind, and exhorted everyone on my permit to do the same, with amusing results. Weather forecast for our trip was dry dry dry, so there were no worries there. But one woman in my group of 10 had never "cowboy" camped, had never considered doing so, and she demanded that four people sleep next to her--one on either side, and one across near the top of her head, and the other across near her feet. It was remarkably funny. I had never even considered anyone would actually be afraid of sleeping under the stars, since the first time I did it I was about 8 years old.

It was hilarious, but I will always remember that and have to say, I have no respect for that kind of cultivated fearfulness. So, beware, if you camp with me. I don't do "wuss" very well...

Likely, the wind hypothesis (NWS) is for the Rim (NNM) -
Down in the canyon in the oak grove where the camp is will likely see much slighter winds, if any.
Agreed - tents are for wusses.

Well, maybe I was being a little facetious, since I do use a tent when I feel like it's going to be really cold, really buggy, or really rainy. But on the Colorado Plateau in June, it is likely to be warm and dry.