[pct-l] Crater Lake , Mt Theilson what snow there is is easily navigated up and over, no issues. Did this section 8/3 to 8/4.

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

Jack Spring IS hard to find. I hiked in 2009. The sign pointing to  
Jack Spring was small, nailed to a small tree that leaned over, and  
faced in the direction that southbound hikers would see. The clue for  
me was that someone had once written H20 in sticks on the ground. I  
saw curious sticks that didn't look natural. They might have been  
kicked, but I could see they spelled H20 sort of. If I hadn't seen  
those sticks I probably would have walked on by and not noticed the  
sign on the small tree.

The trail to Jack Spring was incredibly faint and very hard to  
follow. I'm used to trails like that in Santa Barbara so it wasn't a  
huge problem to me. I'd follow the trail, then if it disappeared, I'd  
turn back and see where I went wrong.

The spring itself is a tiny creek with a bucket-like structure made  
of posts driven into the earth. I presumed that during drier months  
the little creek is probably dry and all that remains of the water is  
what pools in the bucket.

I'd go to both springs if I were you so that if you miss Jack Spring  
you're not totally out of luck.

On Aug 7, 2012, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Crater Lake ,	Mt Theilson what snow there is is
> 	easily navigated up and over,	no issues. Did this section 8/3 to 8/4.
>
> In regards to this area, I was hoping for information from those  
> who have hiked Oregon in the last few years. ?I'm section hiking  
> from Ashland to McKenzie Pass in September. ?I'd like to camp and  
> get water at Jack Spring before a waterless stretch to Mazama  
> Village, Crater Lake. ?Jeffrey Schaffer's guidebook advises to get  
> water at Ranger Springs and not to use Jack Spring unless you  
> absolutely have too. ?He says it's a steep trail down to the spring  
> and that the spring itself is hard to find and bucket sized. ?Is  
> this still true? ?Has anyone used it recently and is it dependable  
> and not hard to find. ?I do not carry a GPS. ?I'm old school with  
> maps, compass and guide book. ?Also, I'm thinking of taking the  
> Oregon Skyline Trail as I'm resupplying at Shelter Cove. ?Has  
> anyone been on this trail in the last few years and is it in good  
> shape? ?Any information would be greatly appreciated. ?Thanks,  
> Mountain Mike?