[pct-l] Swarthout Canyon Water Cache

[Johanna Santore]

I have been maintaining this cache for the last 2 years and will this year
also the best I can.  The last few years I have had tables and chairs,
lounge chairs, trash can etc. at the cache so hikers can relax for a while
before heading up the hill.  At the end of last season, they disappeared
and found out later the rangers removed them and won't allow them, stating
that trash brings in wild animals and people only need to get water and
move on, not stay at the cache.  Disappointed me.  Also, 2 weeks ago bought
30 gallons of water and stocked the cache for the early birds, and have
been told only a few hikers have come thru (per the local McDonald's where
everyone seems to stop), but went to check if there were any empty bottles
to refill yet.  There were 2 empty bottles, not the ones I left, and that
was all.  Someone from the area thought that free water was better then
buying from the local market.  I will put some more in, but on social
security, can not afford to keep buying water for the neighbors.  I will do
my best to keep the bottles filled with our well water (it is good anyways).