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| Hiking | 12.09 Miles |
2,253 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.09 Miles | 9 Hrs 31 Mns | | 1.58 mph |
| 2,253 ft AEG | 1 Hour 51 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Great backpack around dripping springs super loop! Went with a first time backpacker. In 20/20 hindsight, this was not a good choice. Never the less, we enjoyed our adventure. We did the loop ccw.
In general, there was pretty much water everywhere! It was beautiful and resulted in a very green desert! Lots of grass, leafed out ocotillos, and quite a bit of wild flowers.
We headed out at 7a and arrived at Reeds Water before 11a. We enjoyed a snack on the grass by the windmill. It was very green and very humid and buggy in this area. We headed back on trail out to Randolph canyon which is currently a beautiful water wonderland! So much water. We crossed the canyon and checked out the massive camping area which is currently a green meadow full of grass. Lots of great flat giant campsites.
We headed back to Randolph canyon and down towards dripping spring. This was my first time going from Reeds water to dripping spring. The canyon was amazing with so much water. There is a nice campsite just prior to dripping springs, but it is rather in vegetation and was quite buggy in the heat. The trail goes right past the campsite, and lets out at the confluence of Randolph canyon and Fraser canyon. We headed back a bit to check out dripping spring which is very underwhelming. I would hate to have to rely on that spring for water! There was a pool next to it, but it didn't look great. Currently, this is not an issue because of the massive amount water flowing in Randolph canyon.
We thought about modifying the original plan to do an out and back to dripping springs backpack, but after arriving at dripping springs at just before noon, we decided to keep going as we had the whole day ahead of us. We headed out on red tanks in the canyon. So much water around, it really is a site to behold. We stopped and filtered water at a pretty water fall before taking the trail up and out of Randolph canyon. The trail in red tank canyon was okay, just not regularly used and overgrown and rocky in parts. The red tanks trail guide written 20 years ago is still spot on for accuracy of trail conditions.  The trail gets higher but the canyon (and the pools of water currently within) remain visible. The last mile before the red tanks divide is an uphill slog. The views from the divide are definitely nice. While heading down we were just looking for a campsite near water. We ended up on a nice bench with grand views just lower than the trail. There were accessible large clear pools just down in the drainage. We were only about half mile from the nice large sandy campsite at Brad's water, but having never been to the area before, we were unaware. Our campsite had great views. The moon was between half and full, and it made for a pretty night.
The next morning we were off again. The trail is nonexistent in the wash areas just after Brad's water. The route was helpful, and once out of the wash, the trail picks up again. Red tanks in general has a lot of catclaw, and sadly we did not escape unscathed. After more time in the wash, the trail goes high on the ridge making for some phenomenal views of the canyon below, the ridge, and the surrounding area. There are impressive unburned saguaros in this area, and after a while Herman Cave comes into view. About a half mile before the cave is a nice campsite. Even high up in the ridge, running water can be heard from the canyon below. We enjoyed seeing fragile arch when looking out across the canyon.
Heading down near the cave, the trail crosses the wash a couple times. This area is overgrown and has a lot of dead fall. There was also a huge pool of water, as well. The junction with whiskey springs was more of the same, water everywhere and lots of green!
The trip back to the car was uneventful. Green desert, hotter temps than desired, and no people to speak of! We didn't see any people our entire hike, woo hoo! I thought for certain we would see someone on Dutchman, but no. There were more wild flowers than I expected to see, so that was fun. The whiskey springs trail from the high point down to the junction with Dutchman is really a delight. The views in that area never fail to inspire.  
A great backpack in the supes. I can't wait to get back out there!  |
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