[pct-l] Section A/B to HWY 74 Water Update

[montypct]

White VW Van parked at the trailhead?

monty


Lightweight Backpacking
The fun goes up when the weight goes down
-Warner Springs Monty

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Adam Canter" <anc21 at humboldt.edu>
To: "pct-l" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:13 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Section A/B to HWY 74 Water Update


> Woohoo,
>
> We finished our 151.3 mile section hike from the Mexican border to HWY 74 
> in 9 days (1/4/09 to 1/13/09)after some tech. diff. On the first night a 
> rubber washer to our MSR fuel pump broke and we had to get a new one 
> mailed to Mt. Laguna where we lost a day, after getting a late start from 
> Campo.  Birdy and I cooked over a fire for 3 days which wasn't good for 
> the coughs we've had for weeks.
>
> The weather was beautiful, cold at night, some snow up in the Lagunas that 
> was not kind to the feet, but nice green grass.  We didn't see one other 
> hiker on the trail for 9 days.  Here is a general water breakdown
>
> Mile from Border
>
> 4.0-Creeklet-water, poor flow but cold and clear
> 16.0- Hauser Creek-dry
> 24.6-Cottonwood Creek-dry
> 26.0-Cottonwood Creek-water, good flow
> 26.4-Boulder Oaks Camp-water on!
> 32.4-Fred Canyon-dry
> 37.0/38.1-Long Canyon-water, great
> 47.9-Mt. Laguna Campground-spigots on in bathrooms only
> 52.7-Pioneer Mail Picnic Area-spigot was on! woo
> 63.5-Upper Chariot Canyon-no water at trail
> 77.6-Scissors Crossing  Cache Full, San Felipe creek dry
> 91.2-Third gate after Scissors crossing-Cache Full!
> 101.4-Barrel Spring-Great Water
> 105.2 San Ysidro Creek-dry
> 115.1-Agua Caliente Creek-great water, beautiful
> 119.5-Lost Valley Spring-good cold water
> 127.1-Chihuahua VAlley Road-big water cache, invite to Mike H's
> 136.2-Tule Canyon Creek-water actually flowing at trail!
> 139.8-Nance Canyon-dry, no water
> 142.7 Sandy Jeep Road-large water cache full!
>
> Also, we were not treated very kindly at Warner Springs, had to fight for 
> the hiker discount.  In general it seems like folks are confused about 
> people hiking out of "hiker season".  Weird now that hikers must fit the 
> thru-hiker mold.
>
> Also, plans to park in Idyllwild fell thru due to the snow they had and we 
> couldn't park at patroled Fern Valley Camp, so the Forest Service advised 
> us to park at the trailhead on HWY 74.  I was skeptical about this, 
> however, they assured no vandalism had been reported there.  In short, we 
> did this and got very nervous about our vehicle sitting there for 10 days 
> and we did a 27 mile day to get to the van on our last day.  Luckily 
> everything was fine, but we did have a Cal. Highway patrol warning sticker 
> from the previous day saying we were parked there for too long, I guess 
> the limit is 8 days, but folks should check if planning to park there for 
> extended periods and look for other options in possible.
>
> All in all and great winter hike, look for some pics on Trailjournals soon 
> under Birdy/The Muppets.  WE will be hitting the trail at Hwy 74 on May 
> 24, so hopefully we can catch up to some hikers.  We can't wait for our 
> year out on the trail, jah bless,
>
> The Hemlock Muppet
>
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