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I would like to spend two nights in the superstitions this Thursday and Friday. This will be My first trip to the Sups. Was thinking about Marsh valley loop or Reavis ranch. Any thoughts about water and weather?

What is your level of experience? At 58 years of age do you really want to sleep on the ground in December temperatures? It gets pretty cold in the upper elevations of Reavis Ranch and I once saw 11 degrees between Christmas and New Years up there. How far do you want to carry that pack and do you really expect to use everything that is in it? Yes there will be water but you may need to filter it or at least boil it. If a weather front moves in before you depart execute a plan B for another part of Arizona where you will have clear and sunny skies. Just sayin...

SuperstitionGuy wrote:At 58 years of age do you really want to sleep on the ground in December temperatures?

You gotta keep doing it until you can't!

That's why I was thinking of Marsh valley loop. I'm not concerned about filtering water or carrying my pack. What should I expect the daytime temps to be? Do most people what until spring to overnight in the sups? What would a alternative be? Thank you for Your response.

I'd have no qualms about the temps, provided you have the right gear. My biggest concern would be making sure my water filter didn't freeze. I haven't checked averages and records for this week, but I'd prepare for lows around 20F or a tad less. I've been out on days that didn't break 25F higher up.

elevation range on marsh valley loop approx. 2300-3100
elevation range on reavis ranch via south aprox. 4800-5300
tipping the scale in favor of marsh valley
but then, I don't care for the cold

I agree that Marsh Valley is likely to be more meteorologically pleasant, and it's a nice first trip in the Supes.

if you go to either description page, you can check trailhead forecast and historical weather
top right hand corner

Marsh Valley would be more pleasant, though it will still get down to about freezing at night or perhaps a few degrees colder. Water is easily found at Charlesbois Spring, which is close enough to the Marsh Valley Loop to be useful for backpackers in the event the creeks are dry.

Hey,

I did Marsh Valley loop last month and it was great. About 10 miles from parking lot to Charlebois Spring water source.
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=9102
This forum topic has some discussion of other hikes around the area too.

http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=477212
This is a good campsite along that loop, and there are others in the area.
If you make your way back to Boulder Canyon for night two, you will likely find some pools of water suitable for filtering.
http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=540059 This one is in Needle Canyon but there were a few others within a 1/4 mile of the Dutchmans turnoff, which could be on your way in or way out. Plenty of water in 2nd water spring area which is close to the campsites near the Boulder Canyon / 2nd Water junction.

ALMAL, can you more closely pinpoint where that campsite in photo 1 is? Looks killer...

@Jason Cleghorn
Yes, maybe a little.

If you're doing the MV loop counter-clockwise, you go about 1 mile north on Cavalry trail after turning off Dutchman's. It is on the left side of the creek. There are 3 or 4 good spots in that area. I doubt there will be any water in that part of the creek right now. Here is a photo looking due east, the creek is about 50 yards ahead. http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=477213

Thanks for all of the replies, I didn't hit the trail until 11:00 am and found great campite near White rock spring where I got water for the evening. Charlebois spring was fun and a nice place to filter water. My pack was heavy so the rocky trail at Black Mesa made my feet sore, but what great scenery the entire trip. I can't wait to do the ranch thi spring.

@Tool crazy
you should post photos and triplog with water report.