So getting my old rear back into Hiking... Been about 8yrs since my last Hike and that was in Oregon on Mt Hood
So looking to do my 1st stint, a solo hike, in the Superstitions this Winter
Thinking Like 15-20+ miles... maybe 2 nights... so even some Side trips to see sites and such
Im tall and thin...well... a bit of a beer belly...LOL.. So not too concerned on elevation Gaines/Drops But not looking for Mt Goat Hikes either ... oh and Just turned 51.. and have a silly idea of doing the Cali leg of the Pacific Coast Trail.. so starting here 1st... 2nd Mid Life Crisis
Have the Super & Four Peaks Topo Map... and have been searching this site. But would love some 1st hand Ideas on a great starting Hike
Ive started walking and may do my 1st walk with my Pack Today... Love the AZ weather this Time of Year.
Also... is water much of an Issue.. dosent seem like it but just checking.
3 days 2 nights from Tortilla TH to Angel Basin, Angel Basin to Reavis with a side hike up to CircleStone and Reavis to the Reavis TH south of Apache Lake. Last stop at Tortilla Flats for a well earned meal before heading home.
2 days 1 night from Rogers Trough TH to Reavis with a side hike to Rogers Cliff Dwelling, Reavis to the Reavis TH with a side hike to Circle Stone. And if you start early enough on the second day you will also have time to stop at Tortilla Flat.
park at tortilla flats (hiking) lot. proceed up Peter's Canyon (it's semi-rugged) until you get to Pistol canyon. at Pistol, the east side of this canyon has a ridge that you can walk up until you get to the top of Peter's mesa. go cross country to meet up with the Peter's trail and take that down towards Music canyon until you get to Charlebois spring. camp here! good water, nice sites. day 2, take Dutchman's trail to Cavalry trail, then onto Boulder canyon trail and out to Canyon Lake. hitch a ride the 3 or 4 miles to the tortilla flats trailhead and have a beer at the little grille that attracts tourists and bikers.
@Stavman @te-wa
I would not recomend a solo hiker, hiking for the first time in 8 years to tackle an off-trail route across Peter's Mesa, especially, when there is an established trail that covers the same ground. Be safe and ease yourself back into backpacking..stick to the western Supes and search website for Whiskey Springs loop, charlebois loop, Marsh Valley Loop, Hackberry Spring etc and then go from there. Sounds like you have the green trails Supes map, estimate your distance from there, or from HAZ and then build on some of the above loops mentioned, or take-away to fit your discretion. Neither of the above mentioned will require a second vehicle, shuttle or hitch hiking...feel free to send me a PM for more suggestions once you get an idea what you want to do..
I really Like the Idea of the Charlebois Loop from Peralta TH.... Camp at Charlebois 1st Night... and play it by ear from there.
Ive spent the last 5 days on this site and my Maps..... have overdosed on data...LOL.... But have a good idea of the area... Gunna plan a Day hike to see the area and TH...
Today is Test Pack 1st WALK day.. Think its right about 28-30lbs.. Oh and my replacement Pump for my MSR Dragonfly landed yesterday. Guess the other one is still on my canister in WA someplace at my old house.. so Ill test it out today also
And just checked... my Dehydrator Recipes for Adventure was on my Front Porch also..
Ill try about 2miles today with Pack.. My back and knees may not be ready for a 5mile street walk with it yet...
Keep the ideas coming all... and appreciate the help
So is there Dehydrated Beer... That will be my toughest challenge I think
I have the HAV app on my Phone.... so Plan on showing ya all my errors and successes...
Sorry but I tend ta ramble and have WAY too much free Time.......
Now I need ta plan my Menu.....hmmmm... time ta dry some veggies and meat... ooooo and my WORLD FAMOUS jerkey... Better keep the HEAT to a minimum... with just water ta drink and such... ;)
Gunna take it kinda easy...
Plan A
Peralta TH to Crystal Springs.... Camp
Day 2A To Charlebois Springs... Camp
Day 2b If day one was harder on my Knees Ill go to Trap Canyon area Instead...Camp
Day 3.... Head Out.....
Plan B
If when I get to Crystal Springs... and I feel Good... Ill head to Charlebois and Camp
Day 2 Down to Trap Canyon and Camp
Day 3 Head out
So we havent had a lot of rain Lately... How much water ya Think I should Leave with?
Figures for basic water.... 3C breakfast... 2-1/2 Diner.. and Trail water say 2Q
Sounds Like Crystal Has water... I hope.. and Charlebois appears to always have it
Thanks all... Cant wait and TOTALLY OCD'ing on packing.... still at 40lbs.. that includes a Gallon of water.. I need a New Pack... it weights 5lbs
You could always split the difference and plan to camp at LaBarge Spring-- guaranteed water as well. In these temperatures, I would say that a gallon of water is serious overkill unless you are dry camping.
LaBarge is under 6 miles from the trailhead and a cakewalk once you get over cardiac hill. I would cut my water in half. If you get over cardiac hill and start to worry about water, once you drop down into Barks there's water right now down by the Peralta rock.
Cardiac is the first big climb. Peralta Rock is about 1.65mi in on your left, it's low and faint.
Pin marked 'em on this map http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=4343
Water typically pools on the slick rock surface in the Peralta Rock vicinity as mentioned by Tough_Boots. Switch the map to satellite, zoom in, and you will see the small pools.
While I have seen water in the creekbed near Crystal, I have never seen a bubbling or discernible source.
LaBarge is dependable. I've only seen it dry once.
It's good to note the location from the trail. http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=4344
The spring box is across/north of the creekbed. A semi steep 50? foot ascent up the side. Most probably find it without trouble... I totally missed it.
@joe bartels
I also missed on my first time, my suggestion if having trouble finding, use established campsite as a frame of reference, head to creek bed, stop in creek bed remain silent for a few seconds and listen for the dripping water..About 50 feet up from creek bed, with a short climb up the bank is an accurate assessment..
Route Editor
Route Scout
... oh and Just turned 51.. and have a silly idea of doing the Cali leg of the Pacific Coast Trail.. so starting here 1st... 2nd Mid Life Crisis 
with just water ta drink and such... ;) 
