[pct-l] (pct-1)Water caches

[Bighummel@xxxxxxx (Bighummel@xxxxxxx)]

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Dear Pete,

Water stashes are for ALL hikers in need, not just those that attend the
ADZPCTKO.  The three southern most water stashes are between Mt Laguna and
Warner Springs and these are all that I will address here.=A0 There are oth=
ers
to the north that are right on the trail and detailed in hiker's journals
posted on the web.=A0 From south to north;

1) What we call the "Lucky 5" stash for a ranch that recently sold their la=
nd
to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.=A0 The name "Luck 5 Ranch" has been on t=
opo
and guide book maps up to the most recent version.=A0 It is several miles n=
orth
of Pioneer Mail campground (where water is usually available from a horse
trough) where the PCT comes within about 25 yards of the Sunrise Highway.=
=A0
This water cache is right on the trail here through the end of May,
usually.=A0It may not be stocked prior to the ADZ.

2) Scissor's Crossing.=A0 This stash is just off the trail about 20 yards
before you reach the highway near a fence post.=A0 There is also often water
stashed at the highway under the large tree by unknown hosts, probably trail
angels who live in Julian.=A0 By May the temperature can be unbearable clim=
bing
out of Scissors Crossing into the San Felipe Hills.=A0 So carry as much as =
you
can and . . .

3) San Felipe Hills.=A0 This cache is located on the trail just a few feet
north of the third gate, approximately 13 trail miles from Scissors Crossin=
g=2E
See map A-12, section 2, near the top of the page in the last guide book
version.=A0 The cache consists of gallon jugs secured by a nylon cord.=A0 A=
fter
use, please secure the empty jugs to prevent wind-blown litter.=A0 NOTE:=A0=
 This
water is hand carried in by volunteers of the San Diego chapter of the Sier=
ra
Club and is the most difficult site to cache water at.=A0 Therefore, take o=
nly
what you NEED and do not waste water.=A0 Barrel Springs is just ten miles
north.=A0 This stash is also maintained through to the end of May, usually.

If you reach this cache and find no water there and are desperate, there is
off-trail water in Grapevine Canyon at the W-W Ranch.=A0 To reach the ranch,
follow the obvious spur trail leading east into Grapevine Canyon.=A0 The sp=
ur
trail is about 10 yards north of the water cache and branches off to the
right.=A0 It is blocked by a row of rocks and sticks to indicate "not PCT",=
 I
suppose, but has a sign which reads "water".=A0 Follow the spur trail about=
 0.9
miles east to a tall, square fence post by a jeep road.=A0 If there are no
water jugs by the fence post, then follow the jeep road to your left until
you pass through a wide gate (10 ft).=A0 Follow the fence line to your left=
 to
reach the caretaker's house.=A0 Three or more barking dogs will let your
presence be known.=A0 Both the owner, Richard, and the caretaker, David, are
aware of the PCT and have given permission for hikers to come onto their
private party for water.=A0 It should go without saying but, BE NICE, please
for those who come down the PCT behind you.=A0=A0

Water caches are for EMERGENCY use only.  Please plan your water needs
prudently and should you require additional water then please take ONLY WHAT
YOU NEED, and leave the rest for those that come a after you, perhaps in di=
re
need.

As you can tell there is a huge amount of effort and cost to provide these.=
=A0
Please show your appreciation by striving to give back something to those
that aspire to hike the trail after you; in the form of a donation to the
PCTA, in the form of a donation to the ADZPCTKO (next year), or in some oth=
er
form of advice or support giving.

Best regards,

Greg Hummel