[pct-l] section F water still good

[pcnst2001 at covad.net (pcnst2001@covad.net)]

30 May - Cameron Rd - medium cache near trailhead
30 May - Golden Oaks Spring - running steadily but slowly.    Took two hours for
ten hikers
 to fill up from the pipe, or you can filter the cow slobber trough with no
waiting.    
 Thirsty cows were waiting anxiously for hikers to leave.
29 May - Robin Bird Spring - running well, no waiting - undo the gate to get in.
29 May - Lots of natural water in the general Landers area, including the dammed
spring 
 above the trail mentioned
 briefly around mile 601.7 that looked deep enough to submerge in.   The last and
said to be best
 is Landers Camp water 0.3 mi from unsigned junction with 29S05 at 604.7.
28 May - large caches at Kelso Valley Road and Bird Song Pass.   Several dozen
hikers since then,
 so you could be unlucky in timing.
27 May - McIvers Spring is all you might want from a desert mountain spring.
27 May - Walker Pass Campground water was dry.    If you believe trailhead signs,
the tank does
 not fill itself but must be filled by an electric pump from a well; there being
no electricity,
 a generator has to be hauled in to do that.   So once dry, it may remain dry for
several days,
 which explains the hit-and-miss experiences reported.     Another trailhead sign
said there was
 a water source 1.8 miles down highway 178.

All things considered, it would probably be best to camp and 
fill up at McIvers and head for Joshua Tree
Spring to fill up but not camp unless ready for bear, unless the problem bear of
years past has
moved on.    There are adequate campsites a few miles north of Joshua Tree Spring.

Photos in a few days at http://dhs.oakapple.net/photo/sc-pct/f/