HikeArizona.COM

Hi there,
My first post! I am a beginner backpacker in my 50s, with a joint replacement. 30 years ago, I used to do basecamp backcountry camping in the Midwest, but nothing since.
I have a joint replacement, & not terribly in great shape, but do walk the dog 2.5 miles every other day or so.
I am picking the Hackberry Loop as my first ever backpack trip, & will be going 1/2014 or 2/2014 timeframe. I will be going with another greenhorn as well who knows less than I lol (I cant find people to backpack with, at my level).

I have good equipment(ex: zpacks Arc Blast), my pack (with everything in it) + 3L water weighs 22#.

But my biggest fear is HOW do I treat the water at the Hackberry Springs area? I have:
- A sawyer squeeze
- a Steripen
- Aqua Mira

So, my question is How to treat the Hackberry Spring Water...
1. Do I need all 3?
2. Do I need to add a carbon filter too, for pesticides or mining tailing runoff?

Thank you so much for your reply in advance!

Sawyer Squeeze would be great, but any of the three by itself will do. Frogs live in that pool, so I would definitely use some form of treatment.

Hi,

Thank you for your reply!

Are those frogs, or Colorado River Toads?

I ask, as those Toads secrete a poisonous toxin thru their skin that causes respiratory paralysis. I have seen them in Tucson & Phoenix.

My puppy, licked one of them in Tucson, it was an emergency that poison control said I didn't even have enough time to transport him, I had to deal with it myself (basically the treatment was running water thru his mouth for 20 minutes as he started to become paralysed).

PS: pardon my questions, I have so many, & basically scared, lol.

penner wrote:Are those frogs, or Colorado River Toads?

They won't hold still enough for a close look, but I think they're way too small to be Colorado River Toads.

This spring is so close to the trailhead why bother with it. Just carry what you need or hike back over the hill to your vehicle and pick up another gallon or two.
Personally I would not trust this spring as there are to many persons and animals that visit it, who knows what's in that water?

Unless of course you just want to check your water purification tools. ;)

@SuperstitionGuy I've taken water from far nastier places without worrying, and a lot of people use that source. However, I agree that it's just as easy to catch a drink back at the car.

I have never filtered/treated the Hackberry water in many. many visits there - no ill effects.