We are hiking Morman Lake to Blue Ridge on Memorial weekend. I have a book listing water sources but would like to know from someone who’s actually SEEN these water sources - are they reliable? Are they drinkable with just a filter or do we need to treat also? My book lists: Morman Lake, Camp Tank, Lane Tank, Pine Springs, Wild Horse Tank, Gonzales Tank, Blue Ridge Ranger Station. The tanks are my main concern. Any other water out there? Any help would be appreciated!
sandy
We hiked from Roosevelt to Morman last May and had good luck with water. Check the water sources page under Thru-Hiker on the AZTrail website. Hikers update Fred, and he updates the page. Last year there was water in all the tanks, although some were pretty muddy. If you have joined the az trail association, you can download the databook.
AZMikeJan
I just checked Fred’s water page and I couldn’t get it to work. I just asked Fred to check it out and we’ll let you know.
You shouldn’t have any problems with water this year up there. Around Mormon Mt you’ll probably have wet feet. The tanks were pretty muddy for me last year, too, in late April, so I stayed away from them. If you do need tank water and are “put off” by muddy water, you may want to filter, though you may clog the filter. The faucet at the ranger station is outside around the south side of the building, open and on all the time from what I could tell.
Garlic
Yah, I had tried to go to Fred’s page before posting this question and found that the site is not working. No worries about muddy water - I can pre-filter with coffee filters if need be and my filter is field-cleanable. I’m just wondering if the tank water is saturated with cow/animal waste and needed treatment also. Thanks
sandy
I would never chance drinking from stock impoundments (or the equivalent) without treatment. Aqua Mira (chlorine dioxide) is widely considered to be more effective than either iodine or chlorine bleach in this regard. A filter, by comparison, might be optional, especially if using coffee filters to reduce (though nothing will eliminate) dissolved clay soil and organic matter.
blisterfree
Here’s the direct link to Fred Gaudet’s water chart, which is working for me:
http://www.fredgaudetphotography.com/aztrail/watercurrent.pdf
blisterfree
Thanks. I was also able to access Fred’s page now and see that it is a wealth of info. I’ll definitely keep and eye on this as the time gets closer. Thanks.
sandy
I used tank water a couple of times last May. No problems healthwise, but my filter did hold the “cow” flavor for a few days.
bowlegs