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I'm tentatively looking into doing a hike from the First Water TH on Monday, probably looking at a 5 hour time frame. I'm still a Supes rookie, and I'll likely be alone or with someone who also knows little about the area, so I'm looking for a hike with little route-finding problems, but I can make do with some straight-forward creek boulder hopping. I'd like to get a good dose of the seasonal water and hopefully some wildflowers. I was thinking about a out-n-back up First Water Creek. Any other ideas?

I personally wasn't too impressed when I did the out and back of upper First Water Creek. The waterfall section is pretty cool, but the rock hop is rather boring. Nothing like Boudler Canyon or LaBarge...

I would recommend Hackberry Springs Loop instead. You could extend it by exploring lower first water creek before returning on the horse trail. Or, for something a littel more challenging you could hike the Second Water Trail to the Black Mesa Junction and take that to the top of Black Mesa. Once up top, travel cross country to the top of Second Water Canyon and take that back down to the spring and the junction with Second Water Trail. Take the trail back to the trailhead for a 8-9 mile loop.

5 hours just isn't much time to dig into the wilderness from that trailhead. If you're willing to go off trail this route is awesome http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=899

Hackberry leaves me feeling cheated for some reason. However others can't seem to get enough and it is in season so you might love it!

A good one to remember for when it's blazing hot outside is this little sundowner http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=956

joe bartels wrote:If you're willing to go off trail this route is awesome http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=899

Looks cool...I'd be willing to try it, maybe if I have company. If I'm alone I might stick with Hackberry. How hard is it to get to Massacre Falls from either First Water or LDSP?

You can access Massacre Falls from the SW portion of that loop. An itty bitty knoll blocks the view but the terrain is manageable, albeit slightly bushwhack(y) at times. If you don't want to go back the same way you can take the old trail out (if you can find it) and then either follow the fence or road back.

joe bartels wrote:You can access Massacre Falls from the SW portion of that loop. An itty bitty knoll blocks the view but the terrain is manageable, albeit slightly bushwhack(y) at times. If you don't want to go back the same way you can take the old trail out (if you can find it) and then either follow the fence or road back.

Hmmm....very tempting. What are you doing on Monday, Joe?

The one's I'd definitely recommend:

Hackberry Springs Loop
Second Water Spring
Black Mesa Loop
Lower La Barge Box
Boulder Canyon Loop
Upper First Water Creek

Looked at my copy of Hiker's Guide to the Superstition Wilderness....really undecided about what I wanna do. After reading Joe's triplog about the FWC Tributaries loop, I think I'd be in over my head trying to do that. If I can manage to get out that way It'll likely either be Hackberry or Second Water Spring.

It doesn't matter much what you start with. You'll have to keep coming back regardless.

It seems like Second Water and Boulder Canyon should be flowing pretty nicely right now. I like being around water when the season comes around. Black Mesa Loop is really pleasant to get used to the surroundings. The First Water TH hikes are definitely a weekday thing now. That parking lot has been packed on the weekends.

Tough_Boots wrote:It seems like Second Water and Boulder Canyon should be flowing pretty nicely right now. I like being around water when the season comes around. Black Mesa Loop is really pleasant to get used to the surroundings. The First Water TH hikes are definitely a weekday thing now. That parking lot has been packed on the weekends.

Note to self...don't try to go Sunday, stick with the Monday plan.

Not sure what the east Superstitions experienced today but if it's ANYTHING like the west Valley did you won't be driving a "car" to First Water Trailhead.

joe bartels wrote:Not sure what the east Superstitions experienced today but if it's ANYTHING like the west Valley did you won't be driving a "car" to First Water Trailhead.

Made it just fine!

sweet, betcha got some nice photos!

joe bartels wrote:sweet, betcha got some nice photos!

I did. Don't know how quickly I'll get them up, or the triplog...I'm a little busy tonight. Did Second Water BTW, and we definitely got our feet WET.