[pct-l] water

[Phil Newhouse]

Nice description of DIAZ Creek:  I have got to see it now...

On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 12:33 PM, Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes <
diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:

>
> On Jun 25, 2008, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> > Subject: [pct-l] Water s of Trail Pass
> >
> > I will be hiking up from the HWY 395 through Olancha Pass, to
> > Horseshew Medows starting Saturday.  Can anyone give me an idea of
> > the water situation?  I have reviewed the books and maps but am not
> > sure of flow and distence between sourses.  Thanks a lot.
> >
> >   Amanda
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Subject: [pct-l] water
> >
> > Okay, help me out here.  I have heard two opposite things about
> > retrieving water while in the field.
> >
> >    One school of thought says that fast running water is best,
> > because still water tends to contain moss, algae and other microbes.
> >
> >   The other school of thought says that fast moving water carries
> > particles of dirt, microbes, etc along with it.  Still water, on
> > the other hand allows these particles to settle on the bottom so
> > you should scoop you water from the top of pools.
> >
> >   Perhaps both are true, depending of the depth of the water.
> > Shallow pools can't allow for much settling.  Likewise, shallow
> > fast moving streams can stir up sediments from the stream bed.
> > What do you all think?
> >
> >   Amanda
>
> Amanda, I don't know how it is from 395 up to Olancha Pass but there
> is plenty of water available on the PCT between Olancha Pass and
> Horseshoe meadows. If you don't have the data book and/or the guide
> book, I highly recommend them as they'll let you know when you might
> have a lengthy stretch without water. These books will also let you
> know where there is water near to but not on the trail, as this will
> be the case for you between Death Canyon creek and Trail Pass.
>
> Be sure to tank up at Death Canyon and be aware there are several
> spots before you get to Trail Pass where the only water is on a side
> trail.
>
> One of those side trails is a very faint trail that heads over to
> Diaz Creek. It is in a level section before the trail heads up hill
> toward Mulkey Pass. It's worth the walk. It's a lovely little creek
> you can wade into with nice campsites nearby. When I went through a
> couple weeks ago there was a note on the trail pointing to the
> turnoff. It may no longer be there, however. The trail is quite
> faint, so you'll have to stay alert.
>
> As far as moving or not moving water, I carry a filter and filter
> anything and everything. There's almost nothing too small for me to
> get water out of. But like I said, the area you're going to shouldn't
> pose any problems as far as water.
>
> Diane (Piper)
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>