[pct-l] Section F & G Water (late season '03)

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (Donna Saufley)]

No one has reported back on that section since the start of the season, but I expect to be getting updates soon.  Here's the report for late in the season last year from 58 to Kennedy Meadows, which will at least give you an idea of where you might look for sources.  I'll send an update as soon as the hikers call back with more timely information.  

WATER REPORT CALL 661-268-1235 WITH UPDATES & MAP COORDINATES
CACHES CAN BE EMPTY AND SPRINGS GO DRY FAST IN THIS AREA.  BE PREPARED!!!
 
BETWEEN HWY 58 (CAMERON ROAD) & KENNEDY MEADOWS 
 
·         Water at Golden Oak Springs ? on trail, 16 miles from Hwy 58.  Slow but steady piped water into trough. Running great.
·         Next water is at Robin Bird Spring (18 miles).  The spring is 100 yards downhill from trail (there are signs).  Face lower fence, left corner has a gate.  Climb uphill toward tank.  Below tank is a pipe with steady flow of good water.  
·         Water from three forks of Cottonwood Creek running clear and well.  Water pool behind concrete dam of spring on PCT is deep and clear.
·         Landers Camp, SNF Road 29S05.  Spring is piped  to large fire tank plus has a heavy flow spilling from pipe.  Water from Landers Meadow is not good.  
·         Kelso Valley Road at pass (Map F9).   XX  gallon cache (as of 5/10/03) by Mary Barcik of Welden.  Very well maintained with register.  PCT south side of road ? can't miss.
·         ¼ mile south of Bird Spring Pass ?  XX  gallon cache on right side of trail is about half there on 5/10/03.  Marked by a wooden "Water" sign.  Just 200 yards further on north side of road is a 40+ gallon cache by Mary Barcik of Weldon.  Next water is at the junction of Kelso Valley Road and Butterbread Road.  The water hole is an unnamed spring ½ miles downhill of the junction.  Reported to be an unappealing mud hole not worth the hike.
·         At Bird Spring Pass, north side ?  XX  gallon cache by Mary Barcik of Welden.  Refilled 1-3 times per week ? 5/10/03 with register in good shape.
·         Next water is Lower Yellow Jacket Spring (22 miles).  Reported to be ?just a seep? and ?not worth the hike?. The camp and spring is one mile off the PCT on the Scodie Trail ? Scodie Trail junction is signed. 
·         There is also water at McIver Spring seven miles from Hwy 178.  Spring running well (flowing great 5-8 gallon a minute flow 5/11/03). Junctions to McIvers Cabin is NOT marked.  Follow guidebook instructions.
·         Water reportedly back on at Walker Pass Campground.
·         Water is flowing clear and plentiful at Joshua Tree Spring (Map G1) (thanks to Back Country Horsemen volunteers replumbing).  No sign of ?bad? bear reported in previous years.
·         Water flow is respectable at Spanish Needle Creek.  Wild onions are thriving.
·         Water in the two upper forks of Spanish Needle (approx 1 mine north of first crossing) is flowing good with a nice rock basin catching the water at the first fork.
·         Stream running well and clear at Chimney Creek Campground; campground water is turned off.  Signs posted warn of poor water quality.  The water quality is equal or better than Joshua Tree Spring.  The friendly Camp Host cannot recommend that you drink the water untreated -- but he does.  Camping is free and the lower sites have water faucets right in camp.
·         Fox Mill Spring (Map G4) is a slow trickle and provides adequate water to keep the tank reasonably clear.  Heavy mineral taste as well.  The tub was full but looked polluted 5/11/03.  Go through the willows to a clear running stream (05/13/03).
·         Water at creek crossing of Rockhouse Basin was very good 5/12/03, particularly upstream from actual PCT crossing.  After this creek it was DRY as of 5/12/03 to the Kern River (about 4.5 miles).
·         Seasonal creeks referenced in the guide from Fox Mill to Kern River are not flowing due to lack of tree cover from a recent fire.  This is a hot, dry section.  Carry extra water.             
 
Kennedy Meadows Store open M-F 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sat-Sun 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..  Starting June 1 the store hours change to 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.  There is a pay phone, showers ($2.00), laundry ($2.00), and shuttle to nearby restaurant ($2.00) all available.   Also, packages can be mailed from Kennedy Meadows store (postage due) for $2.00.

Donna Saufley