[pct-l] So. Calif. Desert Water Caches

[Halfmile]

Kevin,
My maps show almost all of the locations of  Asabat's water report
entries, except for a few locations that almost never have water.
Since the water report list caches I show the locations of these on the maps.

My maps also have water warnings in yellow text boxes showing area
where you may have 10 miles or more without water. I don't include
caches in this calculation. So for example, on page A9 at Rodriguez
Canyon I have a warning that is 32.7 miles to water at Barrel Spring.
I don't consider the water caches at Scissor's Crossing or 3rd Gate
that might have water in this calculation.

Also, in my water warnings I don't consider water sources that I think
might not be reliable. I have hiked the first 20 miles of the PCT more
than a dozen times. I have only seen water in Hauser Creek in 2010 so
I don't consider it (or the creek at mile 4.4) in my water warning
calculation. I have a water warning at the Juvenile Ranch Facility
(mile 1.3) stating you may not find water for 18.7 miles until the
Lake Morena Campground.

I think the water warnings on my maps are a good place to start if
your looking for "problematic areas". I have tried to be conservative
in my water warnings, so most years you will likely find extra water
in some of the water warning areas (but you could find less depending
on the year or time of year).

As you know, you should always carry the water report and rely on it
for the latest water information in southern California.

-Halfmile
www.pctmap.net


On Wed, Jan 12, 2011 at 7:30 AM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
> I fully intend to reference Asabat's water report before, and during, my
> hike. I'm not questioning whether or not it will be updated. My concern is
> it's contents. I had not realized that some of the water locations on
> Halfmile's maps were caches.
>
> Diane is right that the guidebooks explain where to get water without the
> caches. I'm going to plan as if there aren't any. Again, I grateful for the
> effort these kind soul go through to maintain these caches. If I can avoid
> using them, then I will be leaving more for other hikers.
>
> The only place in section A I'm worried about is the 32+ mile stretch that
> includes scissors crossing. I've been to that spot many many times while
> living in San Diego for a decade. I'll plan to drop off a gallon for myself
> there. In response to Diane's warnings... I will hide it well and mark the
> location with a GPS. I've cached water before. It's my habit to make sure I
> put it somewhere nobody else will find. I'll probably leave a few extra
> gallons in the "visible" cache. If there are empties there, I'll clean those
> up as well. I will be caching a gallon jug, so I won't mind carrying the
> empty with me when I come through on foot.
>
> Tonight I'll go through section B and determine if I want to cache any water
> myself. I enjoyed scrutinizing Section A. It was like a stroll down memory
> lane. I have so many fond memories of this area from my time in San Diego.
> I'm looking forward to a similar experience in the other socal sections. :)
>
> If anyone can identify the problematic areas, that might make it easier for
> me.