Autumn water on KT/PT/TT-

[BD]

Wondering if anyone has experience with what the usual water sources are like in late August/early September on the Kokopelli, Paradox and Tabaguache Trails. Have ridden them in spring, but never late August/fall. Depart next week.

Specifically:

KT: Does Hideout Spring run in fall, will Fisher Creek up by N. Beaver Mesa have water still?;

Paradox Trail: I assume Geyser Ck will be running; any beta on S. and N. Forks of Mesa Creek and the creeks along Koski Traverse (Big and Little Johnson, Big Atkinson, Spring CK). Tab Creek I am sure will have water. Any water on Glencoe Bench?;

Tab Trail: I assume a few of the creeks on the Roubideau will have water. Anyone know about Cottonwood, E. Fork of Escalante or Dominguez in the late summer/early fall? Has anyone been past the little spring in Bangs Canyon above No Mas Hill at this time of year?

Thanks in advance if you have any direct knowledge about these sources at this time of year.

[BryanK]

I did a somewhat modified mid-september Grand Loop a few years ago.  From what I remember:

Salt Creek: Water.  Tastes terrible. Probably running dirty.
Westwater:  Water spicket was still running
Hideout camp: Extremely low water flow, had to dig small hole to get water to pool
Geyser Creek: good to go, also have buckeye res
Koski Traverse: Did the old route and got water at bedrock store. Mesa creek at the beginning I believe is the largest drainage.  Lots of cows in there!
Tabeguache Creek:  No visible flow, but was able to find fairly clean small pool below bridge
Roubideau traverse: Can't remember, but there has to be water in there.  I did the route counter clockwise and remember filtering  below Love mesa.  There's a pipe coming from the hillside near Cottonwood Creek
Dominguez:  Should have water.  Lots of cows in the upper Dominguez when you come off Divide Rd.  Filter well.
Creek along Hwy 141:  Had water.  Tasted terrible.  Probably better to get water at Dominguez.
Spring above No Mas Hill:  Highly doubt it's there.

That's about all I remember.  Definitely bring a filter you can backwash, and enough room to carry a days water.  We've been getting some rain as you know, so that might help, but also dirty up some sources.

Hope that helps some.  Good Luck.  If it's not to hot, might be a perfect time to go, before the hunters move in on the Uncompahgre.

[BD]

Thanks Bryan. That is about what I expected, but am surprised Tab Ck. was so low. Pretty decent snow year this year, and lots more summer moisture than usual- maybe it will be flowing a bit still, sort of counting on it as a source.

Do you recall if Fisher Creek up high near junction of Paradox and KT's had flow?

[BryanK]

Yeah the tabeguache was pretty low, but their were still a few small pools.  I do vaguely remember seeing a irrigation ditch up by spring creek ranch.  Might want to be on the look out when you ride through there.  You could try getting ahold of Paul Koski he would probably give you more up to date info.

I don't remember on Fisher Creek. I think I filled up at Buckeye Rez then road to Hideout Camp.

[MikeC]

Thanks Bryan. That is about what I expected, but am surprised Tab Ck. was so low. Pretty decent snow year this year, and lots more summer moisture than usual- maybe it will be flowing a bit still, sort of counting on it as a source.

Do you recall if Fisher Creek up high near junction of Paradox and KT's had flow?

Fisher Creek is a diversion ditch--it should have water through September.

[BD]

Thanks.
Looking forward to launch.
Watching the long term forecasts for a little window- sure he's been wet lately.

[BryanK]

Good luck.  Weather looks fairly good after today.  You'll probably get lucky with pot holes out there.

[BD]

Wednesday evening- still pouring here intermittently. Weather looks better starting overnight tonight into tomorrow. Not sure how long to give the mud to dry out after this much precip. Rode the PT and TT's over Memorial Day w/e this year in quite a bit of rain. Carried our bikes over most of the Koski Traverse as the mud was epic in the way that Western Colorado can be. The Plateau/Roubideau was fairly stiff the next day mud-wise as well. Not dying to reprise that experience, so likely will wait and leave on Friday evening. Hate to ride smack dab over the holiday weekend as it might be like NYC out there in spots like Dewey/Shandies/Buckeye/Divide Road/Dominguez. But, gotta take a weather window when you can get it, and Fri-Mon looks pretty dry and relatively cool. I was in Gateway yesterday and both East and West Creeks were running strong, so I am hoping Mesa/Johnson/Atkinson/Spring and other creeks further south down the Plateau will also have something in them. My experience on the KT has been that hitting it just right after moisture can make it pretty sweet and rideable with less sand and a nice(er) treadway. I have read before that McGraw Bottom on the KT can be pretty wet at times- I have never seen that myself. Seems unlikely that desert would stay wet for very long at this time of year once the sun comes out, even with the degree of moisture we have had the past 4-5 days. Anyone out there have comments on the KT and mud post fairly heavy rainfall? Anyway, was supposed to depart today... trying to be patient... trying to keep the kids from eating my pizza which is cached away in the fridge!!