climbs w water: acclimatizing for Kilimanjaro

[mtree]

Its been awhile since I hiked Redcloud and Sunshine, but I didn't think the creek "looked" bad. I think it was late July or early August and it was running pretty scant. I also didn't think it was a great area to camp, but I didn't investigate deeply. I would think the Handies area is a FAR better choice. I saw quite a few tents. As for water quality? Silver Creek is probably fine. The area around Handies could be questionable.

As an environmental water quality analyst (a former life) the concern isn't microbes because you can filter those out. Its heavy metals. However, there's alot of disinformation on the sources and environmental concentrations. Your concern would be point sources and not diffuse sources. Think milling operations and large mining operations with tailings. You would also need to know the types of metals found in those areas and they vary greatly. Since you probably don't want to research all of that here's an easy answer. Stay away from large point sources of discharge or active draining. You can also carry some pH strips with you. Low pH levels precipitate metals into the water as the heavy metals tend to bind to substrates. However, with continual drainage or seasonal drainage the metals can be transported and deposited all along the path. You will find the largest concentration in the sediment of ponds and lakes. Regardless of where you get your water, avoid disturbing the sediment. However, if the water has a high microbe load and lots of plant activity this will mitigate the concentrations over time by environmental degradation. That "nasty" looking water might very well be empty of heavy metals, but could be high in organic and inorganics! There's a reason why wetlands/swamps are so beneficial and the giveaway is the presence of birds. Pristine looking water can be deceptively dangerous.

That said, I'd camp around the Mt. Harvard or Huron area. I don't recall a bunch of mining operations up there, but check to be sure. There are plenty of bubbling streams flowing through the forests in those areas. They should be pretty safe. Another GORGOUS area if you don't mind hiking would be the high valley towards San Luis! Oh man. A few nights up there and you may never leave.

[madmattd]

Another GORGOUS area if you don't mind hiking would be the high valley towards San Luis!

This a good shout - there's a good water source and a few solid campsites just off the CT near treeline (~11,800ft) on the Eddysville side (and lots of stuff lower down too). I really enjoyed the hike up that side. Easy access to San Luis peak from there. There's also camping options along Stewart Creek, but not as many, mostly lower down, and you'll be contending with a lot of beetle kill which personally I would not camp in amongst if I had a choice.

[mtree]

I'd camp near 12K on the northeast ridge trail. Easy access to water and beautiful views of Organ Pipes and San Luis ridgeline. And its fairly flat in grassy terrain.