[pct-l] Water Cache - San Felipe Hills

[CharlieJones@aol.com (CharlieJones@aol.com)]

Attention: Class of 2002

On April 14, members of the San Diego Chapter of the Sierra Club (including 
members from the North County Group) established the initial water cache in 
the San Felipe Hills (Section A) for PCT Thru-hikers. 

The cache is located on the PCT just a few feet north of the third gate 
approximately 13 trail miles from Scissors Crossing. (See map A-12, section 
2, near the top of the page.) The cache consists of gallon jugs of water 
secured by a nylon cord. After use, please secure the empty jugs using the 
nylon cord to prevent wind-blown litter. 

This cache was initially stocked with 68 gallons of water and will be 
replenished on a calendar basis, as we have no way of knowing when all the 
jugs have been emptied. This amount should provide for the needs of 125-130 
hikers. In consideration of hikers who follow you, please limit individual 
use to 2 liters of water. (Barrel Springs is just 10 miles north.) 

Note that it is possible that some hikers may find the jugs empty when they 
arrive. Should one find that the water jugs are empty; there is off-trail 
water in Grapevine Canyon at the W-W (read 'W bar W') Ranch. 

To reach the W-W Ranch, follow the obvious spur trail leading east into 
Grapevine Canyon. The spur trail is about 10 yards north of the water cache 
and branches off to the right (east). It is blocked by a row of rocks and 
sticks to indicate "not PCT," I suppose, but has a sign which reads "water." 
The signed PCT continues due north from this point.

For water, follow the spur trail about 0.9 miles east to a tall, square fence 
post by a jeep road. If there are no water jugs by the fence post (we left 
10+ gallons there too), follow the jeep road to your left until you pass 
through a wide gate (10-feet or so). Follow the fence line to your left to 
reach the caretaker's house. Three (or more) barking dogs will let your 
presence be known. The caretaker, if in residence, will probably come out to 
meet you. Both the owner (Richard) and the caretaker (David) are aware of the 
PCT and have given their permission for hikers to come on private property 
for water.

Hikers should return to the PCT to camp unless specifically invited by the 
owner or caretaker to camp in Grapevine Canyon.

Have a safe hike north,
Charlie Jones (for the PCT Section of the San Diego Chapter of the Sierra 
Club)

Thanks to my Sierra Club friends (listed below) for helping establish this 
water cache in the San Felipe Hills.

Terri Astle
Jaye Gleyzal
Chris Landa
Jim Mason
John Tomlinson
Carol Murdock
Pam Walker



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