[pct-l] Swarthout Canyon Water Cache

[Diane Soini]

Your service has been appreciated by lots of hikers over the years.

The two (or is it 3?) times I have been through there I already had enough water to drink at the McDonald's or the hotel and was already carrying a ton. All I have ever done is look inside to see if the mouse still lives in there. The cache probably isn't really necessary, so don't feel too bad if you can't continue. You might have more fun just dropping by to surprise hikers with some fresh fruit for a few hours, then packing up and heading out.


On Apr 17, 2014, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:44:39 -0700
> From: Johanna Santore <johanna.santore at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Swarthout Canyon Water Cache
> 
> 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).