Is there water at Colt Mesa tank - Escalante

B

Balsam

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Mar 16, 2023
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Hello Everyone. A friend and I are embarking on a multi-week backpack in early April. Does anyone know the likelihood of finding water at the Colt Mesa tanks (Moody Creek Road near the top of Choprock)? We'll get there by hiking x-c from the Burr Switchbacks. I thought the tanks were good, but also remember one report saying they were dry. I cant find that reference though. What do you all think? Thank you!
 
Unfortunately I also haven't been there in many years. In the past though they always had water for all my visits (always in April or May). Based on SAT imagery from 9/2023 they seem to have had water then. I remember seeing a report from last year I think that they were "dry", but the person included a photo showing a tank with a few inches of water and some algae and labeled "bad water". So, not sure about the full story of that. I think it's a place one would very likely find good water, but I'd conserve a bit before then just in case you need to make it to your next source.
 
we're talking about the tanks at 37.725809° -111.084734°? I have tentative plans to be in this general vicinity April 4-8 and might be able to check these out. if I did that I could also leave a water cache. if we did this, you'd need to be able to check texts evening of the 8th (I need to be back at work on the 9th so have firm plans to be home evening of the 8th)
 
Hello regehr. I'm just now seeing your message. Yes, that's the tank! It would be wonderful if you had the chance to check it out. We're heading out for 30 days (starting April 11) and there's a chance we'll take a different route when we hit that area - though at this time, our first choice is to come from the switchbacks, past these tanks and down choprock. I'm hesitant to ask for a water cache (which is exceptionally generous offer) because many factors will come into play and we won't make final decision until we're close by. BUT knowing the water status would be very very helpful. I can PM you my contact info for text.
 
regehr said:
we're talking about the tanks at 37.725809° -111.084734°? I have tentative plans to be in this general vicinity April 4-8 and might be able to check these out. if I did that I could also leave a water cache. if we did this, you'd need to be able to check texts evening of the 8th (I need to be back at work on the 9th so have firm plans to be home evening of the 8th)
Click to expand...
Jammer said:
Unfortunately I also haven't been there in many years. In the past though they always had water for all my visits (always in April or May). Based on SAT imagery from 9/2023 they seem to have had water then. I remember seeing a report from last year I think that they were "dry", but the person included a photo showing a tank with a few inches of water and some algae and labeled "bad water". So, not sure about the full story of that. I think it's a place one would very likely find good water, but I'd conserve a bit before then just in case you need to make it to your next source.
Click to expand...
Jammer said:
Unfortunately I also haven't been there in many years. In the past though they always had water for all my visits (always in April or May). Based on SAT imagery from 9/2023 they seem to have had water then. I remember seeing a report from last year I think that they were "dry", but the person included a photo showing a tank with a few inches of water and some algae and labeled "bad water". So, not sure about the full story of that. I think it's a place one would very likely find good water, but I'd conserve a bit before then just in case you need to make it to your next source.
Click to expand...
Thanks Jamal!
 
That sounds adventurous! What's the general itinerary? A Hayduke variant?

Choprock had lots of water way above the narrows in Nov last year.
 
Might be too late, but... just saw a post from a Hayduker doing an alternate through the area and he posted photos which I'm 99% sure were the tanks at Colt Mesa and at least one was full of water.
 
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