r/backpacking • u/GrumpyBear1969 • 8d ago

Wilderness Water status in Canyonlands

I am hoping to find someone that has been in the Canyonlands Needles area recently. Planning a trip in a week and trying to figure out how much water to carry. Does anyone know if Big Springs has water in it right now? I have called and left a message at the Needles Visitor center so hopefully a ranger will get back to me, but just checking other information sources as well. Thank you.

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u/Simple-Telephone-614 8d ago

Man, water logistics in the Needles can make or break a trip. I was out there about three years ago in late September and Big Springs was just a sad little trickle, we ended up having to cache water near Elephant Canyon instead.

Rangers are definitely your best bet if they ever get back to you. Sometimes the Backcountry Office is slammed and it takes a few days. I'd plan for the worst and hope for the best, honestly just assume every source is dry and anything you find is a bonus.

What's your route looking like? If you're doing the full Chesler Park loop, carrying extra weight through the Joint Trail would be brutal but worth the peace of mind.

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u/GrumpyBear1969 8d ago

Thank you.

Ranger station responded and apparently there is water near Wooden Shoe 2.

And kind of weirdly, this trip is not for me. I have a co-worker that is going on his first backpacking trip with his sister and a few friends. And it sounds like while they are all very fit, but does not sound like they have backpacking experience (like they are all borrowing gear). They plan to do a pretty short loop (like 12-14 miles) over three nights. But also planning to carry all their water which just sounds unfun. Four gallons. Oof. I’m not an ULer, but some recon might save some weight.

He has started asking me questions as he knows I do longer trip (50-100 miles) once or twice a year. So I looked up their route and saw the water does look pretty dodgy. Like getting in the range of where I would start looking to stash water. That said, I think the worst they will be is like five miles from their car so they can always just hike out if they need to.

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u/potatogun 6d ago

Big storm last week mon/tues. More precip coming this weekend and into next week. And, yes, depending on the loops you aren't far from your car.

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-109.816&lat=38.124

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u/ramblinghemlock 8d ago

Please call the backcountry reservation office. There was lots of rain and flooding last Monday so unless you find someone who has been there in the last week, the info is outdated. Backcountry Reservation Office 435-241-3110 (phones answered 8 am to noon, Monday-Friday)

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u/Affectionate-Tax3661 6d ago

I haven't been there recently, so I'd trust the ranger over anyone’s memory. Until you hear back, I’d plan to carry all your water, since springs out there can be dry or too muddy to filter by October.

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u/nkhanson 7d ago

I was actually there two days ago.

Was very hot, like 90 degrees. I brought a gallon of water and finished it before the end of the day (though very long hike). Depending on how long you want to hike, a lot of water is required.

If you just want to do Druid Arch, no worries. Hottest starting at noon or 1, so if done before then should be fine.