[pct-l] Water Caches - Pro and Con

[AsABat]

Some specifics to what Fallingwater said:

The Third Gate Cache exists because BLM failed to establish a well for
hikers in the San Felipe Hills. Longtimers will recall the PCT wasn't
supposed to be there at all - it was to be on forested Volcan Mountain,
the next range to the west and visible from the PCT, where many springs
are present. The USFS failed to secure easements for that trail, so the
path of least political resistance was followed.

The Lucky 5 Cache existed because the Mason Valley water tank had been
dry for many years. It was closed down last year when California State
Parks built (with the horsemen) a well just west of the trail at the
Sunrise Trailhead. Meanwhile, someone, apparently not the government,
put water in the Mason Valley tank.

Many of these tanks exist for the horses only. The official position of
the state park is that the Sunrise well mentioned above is for horses
only, even if a hiker filters the water. The same is true of the USFS
water source at Pioneer Mail - the water tank is filled by fire engine
and not suitable for drinking, even if filtered, they say. 

So, with the drought drying up many natural sources last year, and the
manmade tanks at least officially off limits (of course, the hikers do
what they will anyway), it's a long haul for water in parts of San Diego
County. 

Me? Whatever. I dayhike these sections, so no worries. And, when I
thruhike in 2014, the new ice age will make water the least of my
worries!

AsABat