Pacific Crest Trail Water Reports
Southern California Sections A - D
pct.4jeffrey.net           Go to Sections E - G

The following water reports are compiled from posts to the PCT-L, on-line trail journals, and other on-the-ground reports.
All disclaimers apply. Info may not be accurate, and probably isn't. Hike your own hike.
Water sources change quickly. Reports are only as accurate as last report. The best way to send updates is email to "water" at "4jeffrey" dot "net". Or post to PCT-L.
Last update posted 7/9/10 21:00 PCT                     For more info click here.
Map Miles (NoBo) Location Report ("-" means no report) Date Reported By Posted
During wet weather there may be other streams not listed, and additional seasonal streams may be reported but will dry up quickly.
A: Mexican Border to Warner Springs
A1 1.1 Juvenile Ranch Facility Faucet behind sign is working. Others 30 yards to each side at grass. 2/12/10 Halfmile 2/21/10
A1 1.3 Campo Town - Faucet & Store - - -
A1 ~2.5 Campo Crk (seasonal) water (Flowing 2' wide 3/29 per Josh) 4/18/10 Paul 4/19/10
A1 4.3 Creeklet (early spring) flowing well 5/28/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
A3 ~12.7 Creek (very seasonal) [assume dry] - - 6/5/10
A3 16.0 Hauser Creek (early spring) good strong flow [this is unusual this late in year] 5/28/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
If dry at crossing, try taking a right on the road E & walk up stream up to 200-300 yards. Periodically walk up to creek and check for pools. These last just a little longer than at trail.
A3 20.6 Lake Morena Campground Water on 4/4/10 WS Monty 4/5/10
A5 24.6 Cottonwood Creek Bridge (early spring) shallow flow (2-3'') but good 5/28/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
A5 26.0 Cottonwood Creek bed (usually dry) plenty of water [this is unusual this late in year] 5/28/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
A5 26.4 Boulder Oaks Campground - USFS No water due to bad water samples on May 13. Contact the Descanso Ranger Station for updated information. 619-445-6235. Campground closed 3/1-6/15 for Arroyo Toad breeding season per USFS website 5/14/10 PCTA 5/22/10
Faucet is on short brown post across first dirt road the PCT meets in camp. A second faucet is on a tall brown post a little ways further along the road.
A5 26.5 Boulder Oaks Store Closed permanently
A5 ~26.8 Kitchen Creek near I-8 water will be good for weeks [shallow] 4/4/10 WS Monty 4/28/10
A5 ~30 Kitchen Creek (100 feet below trail) 4" wide; 2" deep Good flow; clear 4/15/10 J J 4/15/10
Or continue to paved road at 30.6 and take a left and then a dirt road down to the water (~0.4 mile).
A6 32.4 Fred Canyon (usually dry) flowing well [doesn't usually last long] 5/29/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
A6 33.0 Cibbets Flat Campground (Fred Cyn Road 16S08 0.8 m NW) - USFS Water On 4/4/10 WS Monty 4/5/10
A6 33.0 Fred Cyn Road 16S08 (0.1 m E) (seasonal) 3' wide 6" deep Good flow; clear (water 4/19 per Paul) 4/15/10 J J 4/20/10
walk 500 ft downhill E, turn right at the first obvious place, almost immediately see a seasonal stream
A6 37.0 Long Canyon (next is easier) very good flow 5/29/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
A6 38.1 Long Canyon Creek ford Good Flow 6/26/10 Walkin Stix 6/27/10
A6 39.1 Lower Morris Mdw (0.3 m NW) Steady trickle 5 min per liter 6/27/10 Walkin Stix 6/27/10
Horse camp. Turn left at little H2O sign, walk 3 minutes to the word “TO” on a fence post. Pass fence, Turn 45 degrees left on faint path along hillside 150 yards to Pipe spring trough with big tank
A7 41.6 Burnt Rancheria Campgrd (south end) USFS Water On 6/27/10 Walkin Stix 6/27/10
Turn left at signed junction where PCT joins Desert View Trail. (Sign does not mention campground.) Faucet at site 48 close to PCT.
A7 42.3 Burnt Rancheria CG jct - drinking fountain (seasonal) Water on @ drinking fountain, faucet and campground 6/27/10 Walkin Stix 6/27/10
A7 43.0 Mt. Laguna town (0.4 mi S of trail) Visitor Center water on
(Store open 9-5. Post office open M-F 12-4, Sat 9-11. per PCT-L 4/9) 		4/3/10 WS Monty 4/5/10
A7 43.2 Desert View Picnic Area Water on @ drinking fountain and bathroom 6/27/10 Walkin Stix 6/27/10
Access on left 50 yards after you walk under a picnic table on the upper left. Or from road north on the store.Three water sources here: 1. On SW side of loop at end of road (nearest PCT) is a small, two car parking pad. To left & forward a bit is a heavy metal pipe with faucet in small concrete circle, right next to a big tree. This faucet reported to be insulated and should be on year round. 2. Drinking faucet next to restrooms. Off in winter. 3. Sink in restrooms.
A8 47.9 Laguna Campground USFS (0.7 mi SE) campground open 4/19/10 website 4/19/10
Leave trail near wooden overlook. Total walk to the campground and back to the faucet is one mile round trip.
A8 48.0 Oasis Spring (1/2 mi down) water - - -
A8 48.9 G.A.T.R. faucet (0.1 mi SW) Water on 6/27/10 Walkin Stix 6/27/10
"Road" in book now a trail. At Penny Pines there are 2 trails going off to W (left nobo) toward highway. The most southerly one is the most direct. Both side trails are marked with Carsonite Posts w/Noble Canyon Trail decal. 100 yds straight to & then 50 yds across Hwy S1 to trough & faucet. (Water system is filled by portable generator, so subject to outage.)
A8 52.7 Pioneer Mail Picnic Area tank has lots of water, but water already in trough was gross. 5/29/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
At north end is trough fed by pipe from a water tank (limited supply). Per USFS 5/3/07, ""The water source at pioneer Mail is filled by Fire engine. That water should only be used by livestock would not suggest that people drink it, even if they filter it."
A8 ~57.2 Oriflamme Cyn (usually dry) still had flowing water!!!! [I'm surprised too] 5/30/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
A9 ~59.0 Sunrise Trailhead (0.5 mi W) water [push the floater down] 4/28/10 Heather 4/28/10
NEW. Near BM 5015. A new trail (marked with sign "Sunrise Highway .25 Mi" on post) follows the 5,000-foot contour 1/4 mile SW to the highway. Across the highway to the South are new parking lot & pit restrooms (at last "5" in "BM 5015" on Map A9). To west a well is visible. Follow old road W 1/8 mile to well (at "B" in "BM 5015"). A sign says the water is for horses only & not potable. Turn green handle on ball valve so it is lined up with pipe, lift flap over trough, push down float valve in trough down to get water from pipe, or just filter from trough.
A9 61.1 Faint jeep track above Oriflamme Cyn (trough 1 mi W) - Windmill gone, dry forever as of 3/11/05
A10 62.2 Mason Valley Truck Trail (concrete water tank 75 yds E - often dry) no water 4/10/10 Depth Happens 4/10/10
A10 63.5 Upper Chariot Cyn (0.6 to 1.8 mi N) still able to access flowing water downstream from road x-ing!!! 5/30/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
There are springs and seasonal streams 0.6 to 1.8 mi N. There is also a concrete fire water tank 1.2 miles N, on map map it is the small circle at the end of a short spur to the east (between the "Y" and "O" of "Chariot CanYOn" on map). Follow spur road ~75 yards. Access from steel door on top.
A10 68.4 Rodriguez Spur Truck Tr (Tank visible 75'W) fire water tank has ~1.5 feet of water in it. 5/7/10 Dan 5/28/10
Nozzle 50' downhill to tank [WARNING - wasting water here could result in the tank being locked and unavailable to hikers.]
A10 68.4 (springs 0.9 thru 1.3 mi W) water available, stream flowing 2/14/10 PCTA 3/2/10
A11 77.2 Scissors Crossing Caches 33 gallons [Will NOT be restocked the rest of this year] [can go empty fast! do not count on] 6/13/10 Al Hanoca 6/20/10
Julian 12 miles W on Hwy 78 or Stagecoach Trails CG 4 miles S on Hwy S-2 where owner asks hikers to come during normal business hours, 9am-5pm, for showers & pool, store.
A11 77.4 San Felipe Creek under Highway 78 Water is in creek, just have to walk to healthy trees to find it. (At end of day.) 5/22/10 Al Hanoca 5/22/10
In spring, there MAY be shallow water 250 yards NNW in stream under large healthy-looking cottonwood trees (that look like trees and not large shrubs) – walk right side of streambed until near these trees
A12 91.2 Third Gate Cache 30 gallons, and more at bush-cache along the access trail. Will NOT be restocked this season. - take only what you need, leave some for next guy!] 6/16/10 Carl 6/20/10
[Ed. note: It's a lot of work to get water up here. Take only what you need to get to Barrel Spring 11 miles ahead, and don't waste it. Thanks!]
If no water, a small trail (signed "water") leads downhill & east of the PCT. 1.5 miles from PCT to the jeep road ENE of "The Big Square Post." Turn left & walk another 1 to 1.5 miles to a small "ranch." Follow the dirt road N until it crosses the stream bed and makes a left turn. Within a few feet, turn right on the road going thru the gate. Proceed 20-30 yds to another gate & find a faucet on right hand side with a garden hose attached. Use this faucet ONLY.           BUT...The owner asks that hikers return to the trail (unless there is a medical emergency). PERMISSION TO TAKE WATER IS NOT AN OPEN INVITATION TO VISIT THE OWNER/EMPLOYEES, NOR TO CAMP ON THE RANCH ITSELF. Respect the owner's property and NOT GO NEAR any pen with livestock for any reason. Respect the rights of others and have a safe hike! [Ed. note: This could be 6 miles round trip, compared to 11 miles to Barrel Spring.]
Another possibility – "down the side trail is a water cistern very much closer than walking to the ranch for water. I put a bucket and a rope in there so you can pull the water up and its kind of dirty but its certainly clean enough to use a filter on." (Laurence The Spring Guy) Walk one mile down same trail as above, then at jct turn left 100 yds to cistern near some rock ruins. Others have reported they'd rather walk to the ranch.
A13 101.4 Barrel Spring good, didn't taste like mice at all [a sign says contaminated by mice, there was at least one mouse, many water holes have mice, FILTER!] 5/31/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
If the trough is empty, there probably is water at the spring source. Go back south on PCT around to other side of the hill behind the trough. Go ~100 yards back up the trail (heading southbound) and look for an old "path" that leaves the trail to your "right rear" (about 120 degree angle). The spring is near the top of the ridge, normally covered by a screen. Please KEEP IT CLEAN! Please do not touch the bucket, rocks, or other workings in the spring. Please not put feet, bandanas in, or wash their faces over the drinking water. Drip it elsewhere. Too many seriously sick hikers last year.Don't stir up the water, so others can get clear water too.
A13 ~104.4 Spring-fed metal cattle trough NE of Hill 3406 (0.2 NE, visible from PCT) (Usually skipped) - - -
A13 ~104.9 Round concrete trough below mouth of San Ysidro Creek (0.2 W, sign points the way) (Usually skipped) - - -
A13 105.2 San Ysidro Creek (In late spring can be wet in a.m. and dry in p.m.) flowing well 6/1/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
A13 ~106.1 Spring-Fed Metal Trough - .2 miles along faint truck path NE up hill from PCT. Trough not visible to NoBo hikers until after they are N of the truck path. Truck path is .3 miles Sobo of Eagle Rock. - - -
A13 ~106.3 New Water Tank visible 0.3 mi South of PCT at Eagle Rock--- Empty 11/10/09 WS Monty 11/12/09
A13 ~106.4 Eagle Rock Spring - Spring-Fed Metal Trough - .3 miles N of Eagle Rock over hill near road. (or access via roads) - - -
A13 ~108 Cañada Verde flowing well 6/1/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
A14 109.6 Hwy 79 (South) (0.2 mi NE) No water (except fire station) 6/15/10 WS Monty 6/27/10
Fire Station says OK to use water (second building on right side to rear) hiker friendly.(WS Monty 10/25/08)
A14 109.6 Warner Springs town 1.2 mi NE - faucets on left side of Mini Mart, restrooms in back Faucet outside building (Faucet at church near resort is on 4/27 per Sir Mix-A-Lot) 11/11/09 WS Monty 5/3/10
B: Warner Springs to San Gorgonio Pass
B1 ? Private campground There is a working water faucet in the campground with the huge oak tree SOUTH of the north Warner Springs Trailhead. After passing the huge oak tree and before leaving that parking area it is sticking up on the right. 6/15/10 WS Monty 6/27/10
B1 111.4 Highway 79 (North) (can be murky) dry 6/15/10 WS Monty 6/27/10
B1 112.6 Agua Caliente Creek just past picnic tables Creek flowing @ 20+gpm 6/2/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
B2 115.1 Agua Caliente Creek Creek flowing @ 20+gpm 6/2/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
B2 119.5 Lost Valley Spring (0.2 mi off trail) Spring cistern 1/2 full & filling slowly (< 1/4gpm). Lots of biomass both floating and at bottom of cistern. 6/2/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
Spring fed from bottom of pool. Can have "leafy" taste, which is removed by filtering. The spring is good and NOT vandalized (unlike the guidebook says), and is only 300 yards off trail and 80 feet lower in elevation. The spring may not be marked - look for the 3 foot high cement post, then follow the abandoned road downhill 0.2 mi). (PCT turns right before post.)
B3 127.1 Chihuahua Valley Rd (0.2 mi E) Stainless 500gal water tank > 1/2 full. Filter or treat. [Per Mike H, tank has water, the valve to the house is shut off because there is a leak between the tank and the house] [See below.] 6/2/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
0.2 mi E to driveway 31440 Chihuahua Valley Rd, then 0.1 m N to private NEW water tank above house. "water in tank should be filtered. If no water in tank there should be water on back porch - go through hole in fence next to water tank and down the trail to house there is a netted porch to keep the bugs off, and a shower out side." per Mike Herrera at the house (10/30/09). he is very eager to meet and assist hikers, they are welcome to stop by his place.
B3 127.1 Chihuahua Valley Road Cache (20 yds N of road) almost no cache [But also see house, especially if cache empty] 6/2/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
B3 127.1 (SDSU Sky Oaks Bio Field Station 2.5 mi W) - Concrete fire tank just above road. Heavy metal plate to reach faucet. 11/11/09 WS Monty 11/12/09
B4 136.2 Tule Creek barely flowing (< 1/4gpm). (1/8th inch deep trickle not worth bothering with per FOXTROT 6/2) 6/3/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
B4 136.6 Tule Spring (Tule Cyn Rd, 0.25 mi SE) cistern full. Discharge valve downhill of cistern works: 6/3/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
B4 ~139.3 Guzzler 1/2 full. Water appears stagnant. Watch for bees at the side opening. 6/3/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
CAUTION - top is fragile and unsafe, do not stand on it. In Section 16 just after sharp right to follow just below 2,600' contour on Map B4, beside trail on left. (Cistern is underground, looks like an 12x24' old broken parking lot) 1-foot diameter eyebrow opening. Hand pump installed in middle in 2010.
B4 139.8 Nance Canyon (early season) barely flowing (< 1/2gpm). [assume dry now] 6/3/10 TheWalruus 6/5/10
B5 142.7 Anza (5.8 mi NW from sandy jeep rd) Town - - -
B5 142.7 Hiker's Oasis Cache Cache closet removed, 20 gallons left under the bushes. Will NOT be restocked this year. [NOTE: There is a sign south of here that says cache is in 1 mile. Stay on the PCT to the cache as the cache is not visible from the road.] [can go quickly] [aka Anza Cache] 7/3/10 Adrian 7/9/10
B5 151.3 Pines-to-Palms Hwy 74 (1.0 mi NW) Paradise Valley Cafe 951-659-FOOD open M 9-3, Th-Sun. 8-8, closed Tu-W. May close for two weeks during December.
There is a water faucet in front for hikers to use when closed, next to the porch, near entrance to cafe. 		6/30/10 J J 7/2/10
The faucet is south of the building toward the back, about 12 feet away from the SW corner of the building at the edge of the grass area. It lacks a handle, so improvised pliers were required.
In 2009 Water hose on left side of door (under window, directly behind old unconnected faucet) covered w/foam freeze proof cap. Hikers this year have been asked to leave that faucet alone and use the one in the back.
A trail "inside the fence runs along S side of Hwy 74" to Restaurant.)
B5 151.3 Pines-to-Palms Cache (behind monument) Small water cache on S side of hwy [NOT regularly maintained.] 6/6/10 Joel 6/20/10
B6 155.0 Penrod Cyn (usually dry) Yucky standing water and lots of Mosquitos 6/6/10 Joel 6/20/10
B6 158.0 Live Oak Spring (1.0 mi E) clean spring with a pipe 5/1/10 Charlie H 5/1/10
Descend from saddle on spur trail. Take use trail that branches to RIGHT at bottom of slope, trough filled by pipe is ~40yds upstream along the use trail.
B6 158.0 Tunnel Spring (0.3 mi W) flowing well from pipe,filtered w/water filter w/carbon filter still sulfur taste, after few hours water tastes a lot better. Still trace sulphur taste but more drinkable (2 Liters/Min per Don't Panic <4/11) 4/27/10 Paul 4/28/10
If you opt for Tunnel Spring, make sure you take the right fork of the trail once you reach the bottom. The trough is upstream along dry creek. The trough is slowly fed from spring by pipe.
B7 162.3 Cedar Spring (Trail 4E17, 1.0 mi N) Flowing clear at 1.5gpm 6/4/10 TheWalruus 6/7/10
Piped tank. Another tank is up drainage ~600 feet w/pipe that may have better flow, follow an old trail & some scant pink flagging
B7 162.3 Eagle Spr(~0.5 mi S)(hard to find, rarely used) - - -
B7 166.3 Fobes Saddle (0.5 m S) spring was great (Scovel Cr. running and spring flowing well 5/23 per Chris) 6/3/10 FOXTROT 6/5/10
Walk down old Fobes Trail [NW] ~0.8 mile to Scovel Crk (usually running during thruhike season, may go dry in summer). 100 ft past that creek crossing a forest service spring w/a 70-gallon rubbermaid tub w/pipe. Nice flat camp spot.
B7 168.9 Apache Spring (Trail DOWN 0.5 mi E) 3 x 3 foot spring box, steep rocky trail down to it. seems to flow well (Flowing clear at >1/2gpm 6/5 per The Walruus) 6/7/10 Joel 6/20/10
B9 ~176.6 Tahquitz Creek flowing strongly (sometimed till October a park volunteer told me!) (Flowing clear at 15+gpm 6/5 per The Walruus) 6/8/10 Joel 6/20/10
B9 176.7 Little Tahquitz Valley (Trail, 0.33 mi N) - - - 5/16/10
Two sources: 1=at creek x'ing on map just S of "Tahquitz Meadow." 2=spring just N of "V" in "Valley" & S of 4-way jct (UTM 11S 531070 3736632). From 4way jct in Tahquitz Val, go S towards Little Tahquitz Val.~2-3 mins S of jct is small drainage w/line of trees in it. Just S of drainage is edge of Tahquitz Mdw. ~20' past drainage, look 90deg E into mdw for log ~40-50' away lying ~parallel to trail. N end of log points to spring. Spg is closer to drainage than log but not in drainage. Walk N from log & listen for spring. Only see when close; flows from pipe into small recessed hollow.
B9 178.6 Idyllwild (Saddle Jct, 4.5 mi W) Town. 5/15/10 Dan 6/11/10
B9 181.5 Strawberry Cienaga good water source (flowing clear at 1+gpm 6/8 per The Walruus) 6/14/10 Jim & Wendy 6/21/10
B10 184.9 Deer Springs/N. Fork San Jacinto River Covered in snow, but I could hear it. [No current report] 5/2/10 Sir MixALot 6/20/10
In 2007, Notes from hikers at the creekbed direct you to a small rock cairn 25 yards north on the PCT. From there you can scramble 50 yards uphill and back toward the creekbed along a faint use trail until you see water dripping off the rocks into a 18" pool you can dip or filter from. Other hikers found water down gully to left amid ferns and skunk cabbage.
B10 ~185.4 Tributary of N. Fork San Jac River flowing clear at 100+gpm 6/8/10 TheWalruus 6/11/10
B10 ~185.6 Tributary of N. Fork San Jac River Tons of water 6/20/10 WS Monty 6/27/10
B10 190.2 Fuller Ridge Trailhead (Seasonal-150yds L) spring is 150 yds beyond concrete posts, down a slight draw. Flowing clear at < 1/2gpm. 6/8/10 TheWalruus 6/11/10
Just when PCT meets dirt parking area, go left past yellow post 150 yds down side trail to meadow with tiny pools in stream bed [early season only]
B10 190.5 BlackMtnCamp (Seasonal-Rd4S01,1.3mi SW) There's water on Black Mountain Road 3 miles before you reach the PCT in a faucet right ON the road. 6/20/10 WS Monty 6/27/10
This is the signed group camp, not the numerous other yellow post campsites, that has the piped water to the faucet behind toilets thanks to the spring that is slightly uphill and in a ravine
There is another spring on the road 1.5 miles further downhill from this campground (3 miles from PCT, 4.5 miles up from Hwy 243) This one has 2 pipes - one was a pipe with a constant drip labled "non-potable, do not drink" and a spigot labeled "drinking water".
B10 ~202 Seasonal stream on descent to the desert (normally dry), a couple of spring pools (very obvious from the trail) on the descent down to Snow Creek. 6/23/10 PCTA 6/23/10
B11 205.6 Snow Canyon Rd (faucet)Desert Water Agency Water 6/11/10 WS Monty 6/27/10
B11 ~207.6 Snow Creek Village stone drinking fountain and hose bib at curbside worked. In Snow Creek Village, take 1st street on left & and go to 3rd house on right (Lance & Tracy, 15881 Falls Creek Rd (5/1/10)).Water faucet & temporary shade in yard. They might be able to help with emergencies and provide fresh citrus. Other houses in Snow Creek Village should not be approached, Respect private property. 6/8/10 TheWalruus 6/11/10
B11 209.6 Cabazon (Tamarack Road, 4.5 mi W) Town. go W on the road between I-10 and the RR tracks, to left (W) on other side of some rocks.
- 		- - -
C: San Gorgonio Pass to Interstate 15 near Cajon Pass
C1 210.6 "Pink Motel" sold and not available to hikers anymore. They will NOT be able to accept mail drops. Please do not disturb the property owners.
C1 213.4 Mesa Wind Farm free bottled water inside the office when they’re open 6/9/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
Sign posted on trail indicating shade & water available and a friendly "Stop by and say Hi". 100 yds E, then 80 yds N.
Large (~1.5 inches) hose and valve by fence. Water is from tank (not ugly pond). Close valve tightly. (5/20/2009 per Geezer) Office open M-F 6-2.
C1   (0.5 mi. off trail) Whitewater Preserve stayed there Former trout farm now owned by Wildlands Conservancy. Ranger Frazier (760-325-7222) welcomes all PCT hikers from the trail. They have shade, water, toilets, and overnight camping for PCT hikers ONLY. They do NOT have showers or package dropoffs. 6/9/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
C1 218.6 Old jeep road near Whitewater Creek - - - -
C2 222.0 Whitewater Creek just n. of Red Dome Flowing clear at over 10k gpm. 6/9/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
C2 226.0 East Fork Mission Creek crossing Flowing clear at over 2k gpm 6/9/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
C3 226.9 End of dirt road next to East Fk Mission Crk great flow 6/9/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
C4 231.8 Mission Creek crossing Creek at approx mi 233 with flow of 10gpm 6/9/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
C4 235.0 Creekside camp flowing at under 5gpm 6/10/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
C4 238.0 Forested flats junction flowing clear at 10gpm. 6/10/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
C4 239.3 Mission Spr Trail Camp "Root" flowing at approx 1.5gpm. (The hoses & troughs weren’t working 5/7 per Sir Mix A Lot) 6/11/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
When trail reaches dirt road, turn left SE thru 4x4 wood railing at end of road, then 60 yds up closed road to table. Then turn left E and walk 110 yards past horse corral. At end of corral turn right & follow path 100 yds to water in a gully, dripping off root into blue bucket. (Spigots at corral are capped off, but there may be a very slow gravity flow from a hose there.)
Another possible source: at wood railing at end of road, turn 90 degrees right SSW up hill, then W 75 yds from road to concrete horse trough marked "USFS"
C4 242.0 CR&HTrail to Heart Bar Crk (seasonal)(0.5 mi NW) - - - -
C4 246.2 Coon Creek R 1N02 (1.5 mi W to Coon Crk - thru Spring) - - - -
Just off trail to R ~1/8 mile up the hill is a shelter w/nice bathroom, trash & picnic table. NO WATER at this site, creek is 1.5 miles the other side of PCT.
C4 251.9 Onyx Summit Cache water (by Nature's Inn) 6/17/10 Jim & Wendy 6/21/10
C4 ~252.9 Cache ~a mile after Onyx Summit, with a couch - no longer there 6/17/10 Jim & Wendy 6/21/10
C5 255.9 Arrastre Trail Camp at Deer Spring (faucet; creek next 1.5 miles) Creek flowing poorly at <1/4gpm. Faucet works & flows clear (give it a minute to charge). Note: where trail last crosses the creek 1.5mi downstream (~257.7) flow is a much improved 2+gpm. 6/11/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
Faucet in camp labeled non-potable, for horses only (2008). Trail crosses creekbed several times for ~mile before camp & several miles after.
C5 260.5 Trailside spring good fow with a small waterfall [new entry, need to verify location] 5/23/10 Fireweed 6/1/10
C4 265.4 Hwy 18 Cache water cache 6/12/10 TheWalruus 6/13/10
C7 267.8 Doble Trail Camp spigot just a trickle, flow better from corral spigot 5/24/10 Fireweed 6/1/10
Well-signed rutted brushy old road angles slightly left off PCT 0.13 mi. This side trail follows a fenced marshy/grassy patch. At the end of this grassy patch the area opens up to reveal the huge new outhouse (reported 11/5/06), horse area, picnic table, fire ring, etc on the right. There are two spigots, one R at horse corral (better flow) and one L near outhouse (There may be a sign saying the water is not-potable (but could be filtered).)
C7 272.1 2nd jeep rd (Saragossa Spr 0.67 mi N) - - - -
C7 274.1 Caribou Creek at Van Dusen Cyn Rd Creek flowing at a sluggish 1/2gpm. There is also a 30gal water cache just below the road per Nature's Inn. 6/14/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C8 280.2 Delamar Spring (Rd 3N12, 0.9 mi W) - - - -
C9 284.6 Little Bear Springs Trail Camp (faucet) faucet is slightly uphill & to left from new picnic table Faucet off but Holcomb Creek flowing @ 75gpm. 6/14/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C9 284.9 Holcomb Creek flowing @ 75gpm 6/15/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C9 ~291 Cienega Larga Fork flowing @ 10gpm 6/15/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C9 291.2 Holcomb Creek at Crab Flats Rd. flowing @ 500gpm 6/15/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C10 292.4 Cienega Redonda Tr @fork of Holcomb Crk flowing @ 500gpm 6/15/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C10 292.8 Holcolmb Creek at Hawes Ranch Trail 2' deep and 8-10' wide 5/7/10 Paul 5/10/10
C10 293.1 Holcomb Crossing Trail Camp flowing @ 500gpm 6/15/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C11 297.2 Deep Creek Bridge flowing at 5,000 gpm 6/15/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C12 ~305 Seasonal stream at bottom of Map C12 flowing 1-2' deep and about 5-7' wide [possibly dry now?] 5/7/10 Paul 6/20/10
C12 306.6 Deep Creek Hot Spring flowing at 5,000 gpm 6/15/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C13 312.1 Deep Creek ford wade across creek (Per PCTA 5/9/10, Trail is in good shape. To cross the river, proceed up the dirt road (NOT the paved road) and cross the top of the inlet, proceed down the rocks and cross the river there, lot less water.) 5/27/10 Bob & Barb 6/21/10
C13 ~313.2 Hwy 173Cache 7gal at cache 50 yds S. of hwy 6/16/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C13 315.2 Trailside spring in canyon (seasonal) a sluggish trickle, effectively dry 6/16/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C14 ~316.7 Pipe spring before Grass V Crk Could not locate 6/16/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
Just before joining Grass Valley jeep road (about 200 ft) there is a piped spring on the right side of the trail, just below. You can hear it and there's a large black tube next to the trail that marks the spot.(About 200-300 yards before creek)
C14 317.0 Grass Valley Creek flowing clear @ 20gpm 6/16/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C14 320.3 Summit Valley Store closed indefinitely. (0.3 mi NW on very rough & overgrown jeep road)
C14 ~322.7 Cedar Springs Dam (pools below dam at PCT) - - - -
C15 ~325.2 Stream flowing into the lake at Chamise Boat-In Picnic Area (in Section 6) (Early season only) a few inches deep 5/6/10 Tarzan & Zelda 5/10/10
C15 328.3 Cleghorn Picnic Area (two-lane bike path, 0.5 mi E) Picnic Area-Nobo Hikers after crossing under low power lines w/red, yellow, white balls take dirt road 1/4 mile down to picnic area. Water, toilets, picnic benches, shade and trash was available. 5/6/10 Tarzan & Zelda 5/10/10
C15 328.5 Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area (road 1.7 mi E) road passes park office while paralleling PCT & xing pct again after office. Water hose bib & fountain in parking lot & in group camp past highway. Hose bibs working at west-most group camp at mile 328.6 6/16/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C15 332.8 Small stream flowing clear @ 10gpm 6/17/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C15 335.6 Little Horsethief Canyon (dry creek) flowing @ a sluggish, green <1/4gpm. 6/17/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C17 341.7 Crowder Canyon flowing @ a sluggish, brown 1/4gpm. 6/17/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
C17 342.1 Interstate 15 in Cajon Canyon (0.6 mi NW town) McDonalds & Chevron mini-mart open. 6/17/10 TheWalruus 6/20/10
D: Interstate 15 near Cajon Pass to Agua Dulce
FIRE CLOSURE: The PCT in San Bernardino NF is CLOSED from I15 to west SBNF boundary (just before Guffy Camp) because of the Sheep Fire cleanup until 10/3/10. A DETOUR is available. Closure info: SBNF Order and Closure Map.
D1 347.4 Swarthout Cyn Cache (100yds S) Fire closure. 4/20/10 PCTA 4/20/10
D1 347.9 Bike Spring (block trough just below trail) - - - -
D3 363.6 Wrightwood (Acorn Cyn Tr, 4.5 mi N) Town
[Trail not signed. On left is ~8"x8" post a foot high. Acorn Tr is to right.] 		- - 6/23/10
SHEEP FIRE DETOUR:
Detour Mile 3.6 - Lost Lake 1/2 mile SW on Swarthout Cyn Rd –has clear water (3/31/2010 per Halfmile).
Detour Mile 3.9 - Seasonal Creek - very shallow flow 1-2 feet wide (5/30/10 per Fireweed).
Detour Mile 7 - Applewhite Campground - water on-if campgrd is full, check w/host who has designated a camp spot for PCT hikers just L of entrance near a boarded up stone shack. (5/30/10 per Fireweed).
Detour Mile 10.6 - Lytle Creek Firing Line - the shooting range has asmall store that sells drinks (enter thru double gate, closes at 4pm) (3/31/2010 per Halfmile).
Detour - Lytle creek is running--1-2 feet wide 6 inches deep (5/30/10 per Fireweed).
D3 364.6 Guffy Campground (~275 yds N) ANF water available from spring 6/11/10 Rachel & Aaron 6/20/10
~275 yards N DOWN STEEP slope to spring house in Flume Cyn. Take use trail at rock cairn on the right (N) as PCT enters the campgrd ~50 yds E of the water tank. Spring UTM 0439545, 3800530 elev. 7724.
D4 370.5 Grassy Hollow Visitor Center drinking fountain next to vistor center restrooms is not working...broken and will be fixed soon, I hope. water at the outdoor spiget between to outhouses was on, but the faucet is close to being stripped & sometimes turns and sometime doesn’t. It’s leaking and you need to use a phillips screwdriver to get it to open and/or closed. I put a screwdriver out there so that any hikers could tighten up the top screw if it decided not to work. Hopefully, we can get it fixed before it becomes much more of a problem. (per Grassy Hollow volunteer) [make sure faucet is OFF when you leave] 5/9/10 Laurie 5/10/10
D4 371.6 Jackson Flat Group Campgrd (spur road) water has been turned on. Make sure to check in with the CG host if you want to stay overnight. 5/28/09 Big Toe 5/28/09
D5 375.7 Lamel Spring (trail, 0.06 mi S) [in a small rock opening covered my a metal grid.] flowing nicely 5/19/10 Paul 5/22/10
around 8,500' a continuous snow fieldThe trail weaved around the ridge and we lost it at many points as it went in and out of the snow. (Marianne <6/1/10)
D6 381.9 Lily Spring (trail, 0.33 mi N) There is no trail sign to indicate this spring. Using Halfmile's map, I followed an unused trail down the canyon but soon lost it. After a search, found no sign of the spring. 6/15/08 Beeman 6/15/08
D6 383.8 Little Jimmy Spring (Bear area 2005) water 6/10/10 Tie Dye 6/21/10
D6 ~384.1 Windy Spring - - - -
Endangered Species Closure - In order to protect the mountain yellow-legged frog, the PCT is closed between Eagles Roost (390.2) and Burkhart Trail (393.8). Use the highway as a detour to Buckhorn Campground, then use Burkhart Trail to rejoin PCT. (USFS website 4/19/10). Angeles National Forest. Closure order thru 12/31/10. PCT detour map.
From beginning of detour, walk about 2.5 miles on Hwy 2. When you see sign "Buckhorn entrance 1 mile," about 100 yds after that, just past a hairpin turn, the first paved road to the right leads thru a gate down to the campground. If you don't turn there, you will go 3 miles before you see the sign for the campground and then the road will double back - causing you to walk a lot farther than necessary.
D7 391.8 Little Rock Creek - - - -
D7 ~392.5 Rattlesnake Spring - - - -
FIRE CLOSURE: The Angeles NF is CLOSED from Islip Saddle to Soledad Canyon because of the Station Fire cleanup until 9/30/2010. A DETOUR is available - make sure you have revision dated 5/17/10 on page 1. Per Paul 5/20, Detour poorly marked at Islip saddle - Verify with detour map. Closure info: ANF Order and Closure Map.
D7 On detour Buckhorn Campground USFS. Closed until at last 3/31/10. 4/19/10 website 4/19/10
D7 393.8 L.RockCrk past Burkhart Tr - - - -
D7 395.3 Cooper Creek at Burkhart Trail - - - -
D7 396.9 Cooper Canyon Trail Campground - - - -
Enter campground, turn left, keep walking short distance to Cooper Canyon Creek.
D7 397.3 Headwaters of Cooper Canyon - - - - <
D8 400.7 Camp Glenwood - - - -
D8 401.9 Water flowing from a pipe on the left side of trail for nobo hikers. per Paul 5/26/09 (There is a pipe leaking significant water (2 GPM) in a cement basin on left side of trail and obvious. ~5800'. To access, lift the BACK side of the steel plate. (The front is too heavy. 12/5/08 Pink Gumby) water from leaking valve per Day-Late 5/22/09
D8 403.2+ Three Points Trailhead [Faucet permanently plugged off]
Newcomb's Ranch Restaurant 1.8 mile W (left if nobo) on Hwy 2 		- - -
D8 406.7 Sulphur Springs Camp source - - - -
D8 406.9 Sulphur Springs Campgrd (0.2 mi E) [6/15/09 All spigots in the campground have been capped off.] - - -
If no water at the campground, check up near a concrete water tank with pipe.
D8 ~407 Stream n/o Sulphur Springs Camp (seasonal) - - - -
D9 410.6 Fiddleneck Spring - - - -
Shaded seep about 5 ft above trail on side of Pacifico Mtn, size of piepan)
D9 411.1 Fountainhead Spring - - - -
TYpically small pool size of shallow washbasin, running water sound, pumpable
D9 412+ Sheep Camp Spring (way below PCT) There was a trickle of water there not sure it would be worth a trip off trail 5/15/08 Trail90 5/17/08
D9 413.1 Pacifico Mtn Campgrd (off trail E) there is a self-filling “guzzler” rainwater catch-tank does -not- have a guzzler that I could find - Vincent 5/16/09
D9 418.5 Mill Crk Summit Trailhead Rd 3N17 - - - -
(Pacifico Mtn/Pony Park) Faucet is on side of bathrooms at trailhead parking.
D9 418.7 Mill Creek Summit Ranger Station BURNED 2009 <9/7/09 Donna 9/7/09
D10 425.7 Big Buck Trail Camp (New) Always dry - - -
D10 425.7<~--~426.5--> Old Big Buck Trail Camp site (early spring) [signed "Poison Creek"] - - - -
Book lists "new" Big Buck Trail Camp (425.7) which is "always" dry.Map D10 shows "old" "Big Buck Trail Camp" (~426.5) which is gone but in early spring has water in a shady ravine.
D11 430.7 Messenger Flats Camp (often dry) USFS. NO water 6/16/09 Ron 6/21/09
D12 432.2 Moody Cyn Rd (stream 50' before rd) - - - -
D12 436.2 North Fork Ranger Station BPL Rd 4N32 (faucet on SE corner (R side) of garage) - - - -
D12 440.2 Mattox Canyon - - - -
STATION FIRE DETOUR:
Detour Mile 4.6 - South Fork of the Big Rock Creek near the campground - lots of water (Bob & Barb 6/6/10) (~2-3 feet deep in pools river flowing nicely, ~10-15 feet across. Also seasonal streams flowing ~mile 1 & before mile 2 per Paul 5/20/10)
Detour Mile 4.8 - South Fork Campground - water same as 4.6 (Paul 5/20)
Detour Mile ~7 Holcomb cyn two small rivers next to each other flowing nicely. Easy to cross. (Paul 5/20)
Detour Mile ~9 stream a few inches deep and a few feet wide. (Paul 5/21)
Detour Mile 10.4 - Devils Puchbowl County Park - has several water fountains but not all of them work. The water fountain next to the fire hose in the red box does work and has good pressure. NOTE camping not allowed at this park. (Halfmile 3/31/10, water confirmed by Swope 6/2)
Detour Mile 22.1 - Community of Little Rock 1 mile N of detour route has several small stores where water can be purchased. (Halfmile 3/31/10)
Detour Mile 24 - Little Rock Wash - stream running (1-2 ft deep 15-20 ft across per Paul 5/21)
Detour Mile 35.4 - Small Creek in Aliso Canyon - water 1-3 inches deep & a few feet across (Paul 5/21) (best access from parking spot on N side of road per NITRO).
~37.9 and again 36.5 0 stream, water a few feet across but shallow (Paul 5/21)
Detour Mile 39.1 - Free Water available at Blum Ranch just N of detour. Follow Aliso Canyon Rd to short access road to ranch packing shed & ring the bell. Blum Ranch is open to the public sevendays a week during the day, selling nuts, honey, and fruit in season. (Paul 5/21/10)
D13 444.2 Soledad Canyon Road RV Parks 2 RV Parks:
Robins Nest to west (cheap, all night loud partiers from city on weekends)
KOA park 0.20 E. (good PCT hiker discount) - cross road & walk R thru huge open flat space to KOA. DO NOT cross the water.
Access to PCT nobo from parking hidden by sandpile. Just after 1st xing of creek turn hard right (E) & climb over sandpile. (Path is blazed with orange ribbons tied to trees as trail veers off to the right as you're travelling north per PCTA 4/12/10.) PCT goes thru unimproved part of KOA between KOA & Robin’s Nest. 		5/24/09 Various 5/22/10
D13 444.3 Santa Clara River Stream running well but water cloudy. No problem crossing, although very muddy. 4/12/10 PCTA 4/15/10
D13 451.0 Escondido Cyn just past tunnel under Hwy 14 a pool of water full tadpoles & pretty gross looking 6/4/10 Swope 6/20/10
D13 452.8 Vasquez Rocks picnic area fountain didn't work 6/4/10 Swope 6/20/10
there is a fountain behind a low but large juniper bush right by the pepper tree where the trail nears the parking area. Go to pepper tree; you'll see the horse nose troughs, then to your right you'll see the bush; go behind the bush and you'll see the fountain.
D13 453.5 Ranger station once on pavement, 0.2 miles on left by Park exit on Escondido Cyn Rd ranger let me have some from their water cooler in their office 6/4/10 Swope 6/20/10
D13 454.4 Agua Dulce Sweetwater Farms Market has everything to eat & drink a hiker's heart desires. - - -
D13 454.4 Hiker Heaven (0.9 W) See note below. 2/15/10 Donna 2/21/10
All nobo PCT thruhikers should visit Hiker Heaven for mail, updated water reports, & current trail info. Mail can be picked up at Hiker Heaven 6am-10pm, 7 days per week. No other mail pickup locations are available in Agua Dulce. Hiker Heaven is open to host hikers from May 1 thru June 30. Hikers may stay a maximum of two nights. Exceptions considered for sick or injured persons. There is also a 50 hiker per night limit on a first-in basis. Non-hiking guests welcome to visit, but should make arrangements to stay elsewhere for showers, laundry, or overnight accommodations. We welcome all to Hiker Heaven.
Go to Sections E - G John 4:13-14