[pct-l] map confusion about Yellow Jacket Spring in section F

David Hough on pct-l pcnst2001 at sbcglobal.net
Wed Jun 1 18:03:49 CDT 2016


The USGS Topo Map indicates a Yellow Jacket Spring in a
southwest-descending canyon.  Wilderness Press calls this Upper Yellow
Jacket Spring and says it's unreliable.

PCT hikers need to know about Lower Yellow Jacket Spring which is in a
northwest-descending canyon close to the PCT's junction with two roads,
one of which goes on eventually to McIver's Cabin.  Lower Yellow Jacket
Spring is about 0.7 miles and 140' down from the PCT, and you can read
about it on the PCT Water Report or the PCT Handbook.

There is room for confusion though, because the current Halfmile map
labels the junction correctly at TR0637 and gives the correct distance
and direction, but doesn't show the trail and places a WR637 label over
(Upper) Yellow Jacket Spring, which could possibly confuse somebody.
In contrast, Halfmile shows both routes to Willow Spring, which one could
use to minimize exertion at the cost of missing the lovely cool vistas
from the shady slopes of Pinyon Mtn.     On Sunday, a number of through
hikers were enjoying a siesta on those slopes prior to the grind to and
over Wyleys Knob.


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