Need feedback on assumed status of these springs

[trtlrock]

Hi.  We're doing a 2-week circumnavigation of the Chisos (http://www.bigbendchat.com/viewtopic.php?t=2591) that will last from 2/8 - 2/23.  Will be finishing up about a month from today.

I would really like to "finalize" which water sources I can absolutely count on.  

Maybe Okiehiker, MuleEars, TWWG, et al can chime in if you think some of the water sources below should move into or out of the "YES" category.  I'd love to see some MAYBE's turn into YES's, but not if it's just my fantasy.  

Not much point in differentiating between the MAYBE's and the NO's, since either way I can't count on it.

FYI no other sources of water are pertinent to my route...

YES, easy water with no digging & no machetes

Spring/Tinaja in/near Rough Run SE of Dogie
Spring about .5 mile SE of confluence of Rough Run & Oak Creek
Onion Spring
Banta Shut In
Fresno Creek not-very-far S of Dodson Trail

MAYBE...maybe not

Spring about 1 mile SE of confluence of Rough Run & Oak Creek
Spring(s) at mouth or inside Slickrock Canyon
Dripping Spring
Spring(s) at end of Grapevine Rd
Spring about 0.4 mile N of McKinney Spring
McKinney Spring
Spring about 1 mile SW of McKinney Spring
Tornillo Creek near Cottonwood Draw & Hannold Draw
Tornillo Creek S of Hannold but N of Banta
Tule Spring
Spring 1.5 mile WSW of Tule Spring
Spring 1.75 mile SW of Tule Spring
Red Ass Spring
Spring 0.25 SW of Chimneys
Spring 1.25 mile SW of Chimneys
Pena Spring
Tinaja in/near E side of Alamo Creek about 2 miles S of Maverick Rd/Rt.118 junction

NO

Spring in Rough Run, E of Maverick, SW of Dogie
Neville Spring
Quail Spring
Tornillo Creek W of 385
Star Creek W of 385
Estufa Canyon
Burro Spring

Thanks in advance, John

[Robert]

Fresno at the Dodson trail had good flow last week. Water was running ABOVE the normal springs outlet. I know you want verified reports but my impression is that the water situation is pretty good right now.

For others:
Boot Canyon had flowing water in the canyon above the spring.

Finally checked out Upper Juniper Spring to see what WWG was talking about. The spring is indeed above the cement troughs as he said. There was also water running down the muddy hill next to the rocked in spring area.

[TheWildWestGuy]

Since it rained about 2" over almost the entire park this month I think everything in the top 2 lists will have water and maybe even some in the bottom list.   Places that will NOT have water are those that do not contain any natural springs or tinajas (e.g. Estufa Canyon) and maybe the upper parts of Tornillo Creek above Cottonwood Springs.
I have not been to all the places you listed but feel 95% confident that you will find water available (even without additional rains) at
Slickrock Canyon (near mouth), McKinney Springs & springs in drainages going down to Tornillo, Cottonwood Springs and along Tornillo all the way down to Banta Shut In, Fresno, Upper Juniper, Lower Juniper (if you can find it), Dodson (1/2 mile downdip from trail crossing),  and most of the other places you listed.   That said I would ALWAYS carry enough water in reserve to get you out alive in case of emergency, error, or unfortunate circumstances... TWWG

[Casa Grande]

best rule of thumb is to NEVER COUNT on water flowing.  since you have the ability to carry your own water, do it. Carry a purifier for emergencies.

[SHANEA]

best rule of thumb is to

CACHE AND CARRY

http://www.bigbendchat.com/viewtopic.php?t=2157

[BigBendHiker]

The last two posts are right on.  Best not to count on finding water in the springs...instead pack it in or cache it.  


BBH

[trtlrock]

Thanks for the feedback everyone...

[Jeff Baker]

This is my first "post" so I hope it takes. I agree with Wildwestguy that all of the springs that are known to run in good years will have water in them when you go. I have taken around ten weeklong trips in Big Bend and with each one carrying water for the day and camping at springs or tinajas. In 2006 they had over 20 inches of rainfall which is 5 inches above normal, plus 2 inches in January. Last year I didn't take an extended trip because it was too dry...the ranger station is good at giving out accurate rainfall. But even in the dry year last year Red Ass spring(the southern most spring between Tule and Pena) was flowing and Burro spring were flowing. Pena was not flowing, but does in good years(I've been there probably 5 times and was surprised to se it not flowing last year)