[pct-l] Stream is low just out of Warner Springs

[arm chair]

Hi Bill,

The others told me that you had asked for me but they aren't PCT hikers so
didn't know my trailname! I was digging some snacks out of my pack when you
walked by! Sorry to have missed meeting up with you.

Here are some pictures of this bit of the trail, water, terrain, our camp,
the TarpTent "Contrail" and GG "Squall Classic" by Gossamer Gear (both only
1.5 pounds), maps and aerial photos with UTM grids:

http://picasaweb.google.com/armchairhiker/AguaCaliente

also included are pictures of the SPA at Warner Springs (very nice place to
patch some blisters!) The Dining room is very nice with HUGE rustic
chandeliers, a well stocked cantina (bar) is nearby to replace the vitiamin
I (iburfen) when on your layover. The casitas are in groups - the old
section is in the center of the complex and are the only ones to not have
refrigs and fireplaces - all the others do. Ah.. Hiker life.. Pool, dining
room, bar, refrigs and fireplaces - at discount rates! And, they like us
because we don't complain! Again the staff I met there were very, very nice.

I have some video I might post after a few days.

cheers,
- armchair


On 3/12/07, Bill Batchelor <billbatch at cox.net> wrote:
>
> Hey Armchair,
>
> I was in the exact same area this weekend.  Monty told me you were going
> to
> be out there.  I asked the few groups I met, "Anyone here named Armchair?"
> No luck though.  Sorry I missed you out there.  I did meet a couple other
> true PCT'ers though.  One "Phil" who is section hiking on and off and will
> continue to do so for as far as the season will take him.  I also met "One
> Gallon".  A heck of a nice guy.  He had been wandering all over the place.
> He is not going to thru hike this year as he was taking a 30 day break to
> paddle on Lake Powel for a month, then head to Canada.  Thought he might
> SoBo the CDT this year.
>
> I was just doing a bit of training.  Started out at WS/79 north about noon
> Saturday.  Hiked 13 miles to about 3 miles before the trail crosses what
> my
> topo map calls "Borrego Palm Canyon Rd" (just outside the Anza Borrego
> State
> Park border).  This fairly flat area still has a handful seeps and very
> small streams of water that come above ground for 10 yards then disappear
> again.  I camped here.   I dug a hole along one of the seeps before
> dinner.
> I had enough water to get me through the night.  In the morning, the seep
> was brimming.  I reloaded for the trek back down.
>
> Sorry I missed you.
>
> BillB (YTNH)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of arm chair
> Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 10:42 PM
> To: pct-l
> Subject: [pct-l] Stream is low just out of Warner Springs
>
> Hi All,
>
> We went out for a bit on the PCT going north just outside of Warner
> Spring,
> Aqua Caliente. While the water was not hot, it was very low - almost got
> the
> bottoms of my shoes wet. No really, crossed the stream near the road by
> walking across the wet sand. The flow was much better about 3 miles up.
> Great places to camp if for some reason you decide not indulge in the Spa
> at
> Warner Springs.
>
> I did stop by the Spa and took a tour - great place and great rates for a
> room, I will relate them tommorow (it's late here). The reservations lady
> said 'I love the hiker - never a complaint from them! I suppose they are
> happy to have a place to take a break." Then non hiker rate is $95.00 per
> person per night. I recall the hiker rate to be about 75.00 per room! Per
> room not per person. They are so nice to us. I even suggested that they
> might carry / sell some hiker type foods because the MiniMart has such a
> limited  selection.
>
> The place is very nice! This being Sunday there were few people and many
> staff who were very hospitable.
>
> It was a bit hot on the trail and some of us were seeking out shade from
> the
> California scrub. I had my Golite Chrome Dome so I was in the shade the
> whole time. Gotta love it. Being in the shade also helped with water
> intake
> too. So if you are looking for an early start this might be the year for
> it.
>
> So maybe start early and campout in the oaks by the stream in Agua
> Caliente,
> hitch back to the Kickoff, return to the Spa and chill for a while then -
> hike on. It's a thought.
>
> - armchair
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