Water Reports from the PCT

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

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 1/9/11 23:45 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.
E: Agua Dulce to Highway 58 near Tehachapi Pass
Caches Can Be Empty And Springs Go Dry Fast In This Area. Be Prepared!!! As a general rule, campground water sources are closed in winter.
E3 463.3 Bear Spring (can be trickle late season) The water here had a slight sulfuric odor 7/6/11 Todd R 7/10/11
Spring is up the hill in the woods, a boxed area beneath a pipe. There is also a horse trough on the downhill side of the trail.
E3 465.6 Bouquet Canyon Cache 100' N of Rd small cache 7/6/11 Todd R 7/10/11
E3 465.6+ *Bouquet Canyon (almost always dry) flowing well [no recent reports] 5/23/11 JnB 7/10/11
E3 ~466.5 There are at least 4 seasonal flows between Bouquet and San Francisquito 5/20/11 per I-Beam [These can go dry faster than listed sites.]
E5 471.6 Oasis Cache 200 yds S of 6N09 cache. (There is a stream about 40 yards S of cache that is flowing well on 5/12 per JnB) 6/17/11 Brian 6/17/11
E5 478.6 San Francisquito Canyon Rd (Ranger 0.15mi SW)& Cache water faucets 5/20/11 I-Beam 5/21/11
Faucet at Ranger Station on side of building, in a small enclosed box - open and you'll see a water heater plus a faucet. If turned off, try fire hose in box in parking lot marked "Green Valley" turn on outside valve. Sign says they have updated their water purification system and that all faucets on the property now have potable water and that hikers are welcome to use them. (per I-Beam 5/20/11)
E5 478.6 Casa de Luna - Andersons(~2 SE) "The Lounge Is ALWAYS Open!" says Joe (But they may not always be home off season) 6/19/10 TheWalruus 6/27/10
E6 486.3 Red Carpet Cache 200 yds S of Lake Hughes Rd No cache, no stream. [guidebook map calls this Elizabeth Lake Rd] 1/7/12 Sandy 1/9/12
E6 487.7 Trailside wet-season spring Flowing about a quart a minute. Scramble up steep slope via yellow handline for best water. 6/4/11 Gabriel 6/7/11
an interesting trailside water source where the water trickled off a tree root, from a spring uphill, into a plastic bottle N34.66672 W118.46637
E7 493.5 Maxwell Trail Camp guzzler (0.1 N on 1st of 2 dirt roads) Still full, still yellow in color from pine needles. 1/7/12 Sandy 1/9/12
20 yds. below road with white concrete slab that channels water into underground tank. Gray guzzler can be seen fm tr; this road is grassy dirt, not just dirt
E7 494.0 Upper Shake Campground (0.6 mi N) no water in creek 5/1/11 PCTA 1/9/12
Seasonal stream: Go into campground (outhouse, tables) at Upper Shake. Cross the first road, go to the second road (200 feet further, turn right until you hit information kiosk (almost hidden by brush 5/13). At that make another right and go up the road - look for white trail post leaned against tree. Right behind that tree is a trail that goes down into woods - go past first usually-dry creek and there is another creek beyond that.
ALSO, Take Trail beyond Lower Shake, which leads to stream northerly a couple of hundred yards. Stream to south of campground.
Report per Trail Gorilla water is contaminated, that's why closed to car campers; pipes are capped. treat before drinking (Kevin Corcoran 2009)
E7 496.8 Concrete tank at Ridgetop jct (200 yds W) Could not remove cover. (Full 6/1/11 per Bubbles) 1/7/12 Sandy 1/9/12
Ridgetop jct of Maxwell TT 7N08, Burnt Pk Rd 7N23A, & Sawmill Mtn TT 7N23 (200 yds W) water full [metal plate can be moved to access water from the tank uphill from the junction of 2 roads, on left as you reach road nobo]
E8 500.7 Atmore Mdws Spur Road 7N19 (1.7 mi SW) - - - -
E7 502.8+ Red Rock Water Tank Low water level but water is clear; need a rope and container. 1/7/12 Sandy 1/9/12
(10,000 gallon) at high point on trail, where PCT nears road. Easy to spot. Pry metal lid (may be covered with rocks) off tank and filter water out. You may need rope to get down to water in tank.
E7 502.9+ Guzzler Floaties in water, but cold and delicious. Plenty of water. 6/1/11 Bubbles 6/7/11
Behind scrub oak shrubs at trail post, water cistern uses metal corrugated roof to collect rain water. Crawl under roof & remove large round plastic cover.
E7 505.1 Tank (guzzler) near Liebre Mtn Truck Trail 7N23 (100 yds E) - - - -
past Bear Camp ½ mile to dirt road - guzzler. Stay on road 100 yards or so and it takes you back to Bear Camp.
Horse Camp (0.2mi W) Sign in place pointing to spring; access difficult due to blow downs & very steep "trail." Small pool, 3 inches deep. 1/8/12 Sandy 1/9/12
Horse Creek Camp has a sign for a spring 0.2 miles E down steeply from the camp, follow marked route.
E9 511.4 Pine Canyon creek and sag pond Water flowing well, 3 feet wide, 6 inches deep. 1/8/12 Sandy 1/9/12
E9 511.7 Pine Canyon Road Trailhead Store in Three Points mentioned in guidebook is now a private home, so continue to Hikertown. 11/26/10 Chris 11/28/10
E10 518.4 Highway 138 - Hikertown Open, has water. [Hostel, water, shower, or spend the night... Just walk in through the gate any time. There's no check in, and no charge but donations are always appreciated... We're located on the N.E. corner of the Highway 138 Trailhead. (Bob Mayon 4/21/09) 6/25/11 hikers report $10 "donation" suggested to stay.] 5/25/11 JnB 5/28/11
E10 518.4 Highway 138: Country Store is closed - been out of business several months, one mile W HWY 138. (Neenach school shut down, Fenced and locked, no water.) 4/21/11
E10 520.2 Aqueduct NO TRESPASSING - Lots of water 11/25/10 - 11/28/10
~533.5 Watch out for angry bees along this section. Everyone that has walked by here in the last few days has gotten stung (6/22 per The Walruus).
E12 534.8 Cottonwood Creek bridge (Faucet) faucet (creek - filter 6/2 per Honeybee) 6/8/11 Nice & Steady 6/17/11
100 yards before crossing the bridge (nobo - just past small concrete bldg) look right for conspicuous "Trail Camp - Water" sign at eye level. Faucet is 15 yards downslope to your right. Sign says not potable but can be treated. ALSO, behind the open shade shelter is a pipe that may drip water, just in back of the open #1521+66 aqueduct access well. (There may also be water flowing from a pipe just N of the bridge on the W side into bushes - listening for it may help to locate it.) (Scheduled maintenance can shut off water during winter or emergencies. It's usually back on by April.)
north from waterhole on LA aqueduct (E12) to Tylerhorse Cyn found area nearly inaccessible due to heavy construction. considerable grading including the equivalent of two 2-lane dirt roads across the PCT and a wire fence across the trail (although there may be a future gate).(via PCTA 10/7/11)
10-4-2011 - The Canyon Fire burned 4.5 miles of the PCT in Oak Creek Cyn. The PCT is closed from Hwy 58 S until PCT connects with Los Angeles Aqueduct just N of Rosamond Blvd. - Closure map
E13 541.4 Tylerhorse Canyon substantial water flow
E15 ~556 "Tiger Tank" & shower (treat - shallow well) Dry (Water turned off, faucet valve stripped out 5/1 per PCTA) 6/4/11 Pfeiffer 6/7/11
E15 558.0 Oak Creek water 7/13/11 Todd R 8/24/11
E15 558.3 Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road Town (11.4 mi W to Tehachapi or 12.0 mi E to Mojave) - - -
E15 566.6 Highway 58 Cache SOMETIMES - - -
F: Highway 58 near Tehachapi Pass to Highway 178 at Walker Pass
Caches Can Be Empty And Springs Go Dry Fast In This Area. Be Prepared!!!
F4 ~582.4 Seasonal Creeklet (NOT on guide map) running nicely (easier than Golden Oaks Spring 1 mile north) 6/16/11 R 7/7/11
F4 583.4 Golden Oaks Spring Algae in tank but pipe flowing (Vertical pipe flowing well after rainstorm on 5/29 per JnB) (On 5/6 per Ray lower PVC pipe just sputtering and hard to access in overgrowth) 6/7/11 MarknHolly 6/14/11
Use white 2" PVP pipe 4 feet below trail in swampy area (on right side for nobos) as it has better flow than pipe into trough on other side of trail.
F6 602.2 Robin Bird Spring (0.1 mi W) water 7/14/11 Todd R 8/24/11
Walk through fence at new (May 2011) animal guard. Follow galvanized pipe uphill for 20 yards to gushing pipe. Face lower barb wire fence, left corner has a gate that was wired shut such that it cannot be opened. Climb gate or fence. Climb uphill (150 ft?) toward tank. Below tank (75 ft?) is a black PVC pipe that feeds spring. -->
F7 604.4 Cottonwood Creek branch (log bridge gone) flowing well (flooded trail with a rock hop 5/28 per Don't Panic) 5/31/11 JnB 6/2/11
F7 ~605.9 Concrete dam of spring uphill from PCT - [Look for grassy patch on trail and a cement wall is 7 feet to your right. UTM 11S 0381550 3920522 ] - - -
F7 607.3 Landers Creek water 6/15/11 Redbeard 6/17/11
F7 608.2 Landers Mdw drainage at 1st Paiute Mt Rd xing Weak flow - had a slight metallic taste. 5/31/11 JnB 6/2/11
F7 608.9 Landers Camp fire tank, SNF Road 29S05 (0.3 mi N) - - - -
There is a faded sign on a tree before the road that goes to the large, 15-foot diameter water tank and a pipe for running water. Road is after 1st Piute Mtn Rd xing heading NW.
F9 616.0 Kelso Valley Road Cache by Mary Barcik of Welden well stocked (50 gallons 6/10, had gone dry 6/5) 6/24/11 Sunnuke 6/25/11
F9 618.1 Butterbredt Canyon Road, SC123 to a spring (1.2 mi N) [no reports for years, guess no one goes here] - - -
1½ miles downhill of the jct. Follow guidebook for directions, then go to cattle poind, then continue down towards the willows off to the left, this water does not come from the cattle pond. (Some get good water here using hose to get water into bottles, others call it an unappealing mud hole not worth the hike).
F10 622.2 Willow Spring, Road SC103(1.8 mi NW) - - - -
Pond is visible from PCT, 500 feet below. Spring has faucet outside of fenced spring, no need to go under fence.
F11 631.4 Bird Spring Pass Cache by Mary Barcik of Welden water 6/16/11 Redbeard 6/17/11
F11 637.4 Yellow Jacket Spring (seep) (signed Scodie Trail 0.7 mi NW) meadow water (filtered - left sign saying don't bother but didn't consider 643.5 much better) 6/14/11 Lil Steps 6/22/11
A sign on PCT says it's a seep & instructs hikers to dig a hole in the mud & let it fill up. At times, this spring can have a good flow. At the spring is a small sloping swampy meadow. Face downhill, keeping right of center, you can easily find clean, flowing water in early June of a moderate snowfall year. (not hard to find, just not as easy as a trough with a pipe).
F12 ~643.5 Seasonal stream Sufficient flow to filter 6/10/11 Clark Kent 6/14/11
F12 644.1 McIvers Spring (unmarked jct, 0.2 mi E) water (lots of cold flowing water 6/12 per Bigfoot Jim) 6/16/11 Ryan 6/17/11
When PCT turns off to left (N), continue straight on road. If no flow from pipe below cabin (flow may decrease in afternoon), may be small seep on ground, or check small square box in grass ~50 ft upstream, or try: In 2007 hunters in area said 400 yards upstream spring will always have water (untested, appeared drier upstream 9/09).
F13 651.4 Walker Pass Trailhead Campground (0.1 mi N, also Onyx town 17.6 mi W) upper most concrete cistern full, but no flow (no water at CG [as usual] 5/29/11 Don't Panic 6/2/11
According to sign at campground (2004), the tank is filled using a generator that is brought in temporarily. So once dry, it may remain dry for several days.
If no water in campground, try the spring-fed 9-ft-square concrete cistern mentioned in the guidebook 0.14 mile down the highway. Follow campground spur road to CA-178; turn L, follow highway downhill & around curve to R; just before curve warning sign (NO 30mph sign), an unpaved road downhill to L will appear; you can see low concrete trough to left from highway; walk down to it (dry); listen for running h2o to L; walk thru brush to 2nd low box (dry); but in 3rd, tall concrete box h2o flows from pipe at top edge.
"The water system at Walker Pass Campground is currently not operational due to electrical concerns. We are hoping to get somebody up there to troubleshoot and possibly repair the system later this month. I do not have an estimate as to when we will have the system operational once again. I do know that hikers often "stockpile" water near the trailhead for when they are passing through that segment of the trail. That is certainly an option for you." (BLM 4/7/08 via Travis)
(There may also be water in Canebrake Creek 1.8 miles west down Highway 178.)
G: Highway 178 at Walker Pass to Kennedy Meadows (Section continues to Mt. Whitney)
Caches Can Be Empty And Springs Go Dry Fast In This Area. Be Prepared!!! As a general rule, the campground water sources may be closed.
G1 663.7+ Stream past rough dirt road (seasonal) water flowing at a decent rate 6/26/11 Red Beard 7/4/11
G1 664.1 Joshua Tree Spring (0.25 mi SW) water (flowing into full trough 6/15 per Bigfoot Jim) [Sign says not safe for drinking, guidebook says trace of uranium, many drink it] 7/3/11 Evil Goat 7/4/11
Note: There are several stream crossings in the Spanish Needle Creek area. It is possible to confuse which crossing you are at. If you find good water, don't pass it if you need it! The next branch of the creek might be dry.
G3 668.6 Branch of Spanish Needle Creek flowing well 6/4/11 JnB 6/7/11
The 1st branch that has water. Shown on map G3 as running next to an old jeep road. Has campsites on bank.
G3 669.0 Spring-fed branch of Spanish Needle Creek slow trickle of water at what we think was this location Red Beard 7/4/11
The North Fork - Usually the best of the 4 branches of Spanish Needle.
G3 669.7 Spring-fed streamlet flowing, but much smaller than 1st 2 spanish needle creeks 6/4/11 JnB 6/7/11
N Fork, 2nd crossing higher up the slope.
G3 670.3 Spanish Needle Creek (3rd encounter) no flow, some small pools 5/30/11 Don't Panic 6/2/11
1st branch, 2nd xing higher up the slope. The last one before heading up the hill.
G3 678.8 Seasonal creek (often dry) - - - -
G4 ~681 Chimney Crk (seasonal) creek full but flowing slowly, needs filtering, 8/28 8/28/11 Lou F 9/3/11
PCT crosses creek before Canebrake Rd. If water in camp is off, try creek: Leave campground and head 50 feet back down the road towards the PCT. Down the embankment on the right side of the road is a small seasonal Chimney Creek.
G4 681.3 Chimney Crk Campgrd (0.3 mi NE) no water in camp - - 6/17/11

G4 ~681.8 Seasonal stream (often dry) [assume dry] - - 6/2/11
G4 683.6 Fox Mill Spring water (no water in spring, stream flowing well 5/30 per Don't Panic) 6/27/11 Red Beard 7/4/11
If no water in spring, there is muddy access to a stream behind spring through opening in willows starting at the curve along the access trail to the spring. No access for horses.
G6 689.6 Long Valley Loop Rd (dry creek) [assume dry] (flowing 1 mile S of PCT 4/10 per Jeff) - - 6/2/11
G6 694.0 First creek in Rockhouse Basin ("Manter Cr") creek flowing well 8/28/11 Lou F 9/3/11
G6 697.4 Seasonal creek Dry 5/31/11 Don't Panic 6/2/11
G7 698.8 South Fork Kern River river had more water than practically anything we've seen all trip 6/28/11 Red Beard 7/4/11
G7 ~699.3 (not 700.4) Pine Creek (in NE of Section 25) Flowing well 5/31/11 Don't Panic 6/2/11
G7 702.8 Kennedy Meadows General Store (0.7 mi SE from bridge) Kennedy Meadows General Store - fall hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pay phone at store. [Tom in the trailers across from the store has internet and a magic jack phone connection. not sure about late season availability 9/22/10 Palomino 9/23/10
Beyond: (Bits and pieces via email - not be organized by mileposts or maintained)
Section G:
Water is plentiful. south fork of the Kern is flowing well. Going s from the "Swallow Bridge" at the crossing of the Kern in Monache at the border between Inyo & Sequoia national forests, there are a number of small springs indicated on maps, and they are flowing. About 2.6 miles s, trail crosses a vigorously flowing spring-fed creek at head of Beck Meadow. The crossing of Crag Creek 1 mile s of Haiwee Pass Lateral is flowing well, as is Crag Creek all the way down Clover Meadow to lower Crossing of Crag Creek. There is no other water crossing the trail as you go south to the footbridge crossing the Kern 1.7 miles further. (<10/8/11 per Ken)
Section N:
~1384.7 Cache 44 is a small top off cache only, located near the Trailhead at the top of the Hat Creek Rim, off Hwy 44 - Had water ~6/27/11 per justin (stocked beginning Memorial Day until just before winter freeze per Firefly 9/4/09. Get most water at Subway Cave and just top off at Cache 44.)
1398.6 Cache 22 at Road 22 - approximately 25 gallons 8/18/11 per L-Rod
Section Q (mileages from Halfmile's maps) ~8/25/11:
1617 Shelly Meadows water flowing good
1620 Creeklet flowing ok
1620b Fisher Lake had water, outlet stream accessible a few feet upstream from trail
1621 Marten Lake had water
1622 Stream before gap had water, also a small tarn at campsite
1630 Marble Valley creek had water, ranger recommended going upstream for best water
1635 Paradise Lake had water but lots of floaties, got water from creek 1/2 mile before (south) lake anticipating poor lake quality per guidebook
1641 Buckhorn Spring small pools fill from bottom, silty, best to pump filter
1648 Cold Spring Creek great cold water
1649-1656 Grider Creek and tributaries flowing strong
1662 Mid Valley RV Park very pleasant stay, please be nice to the owner Bruce and keep the hiker area etc clean.
Section R (mileages from Halfmile's maps) ~8/25/11:
1664 Fern Spring flowing nicely from pipe to cistern
1668 Lookout Spring clean water flowing very slowly ~4 minutes per liter, just put your bottle on rock under pipe and be patient
1672 Kangaroo Spring, nice pools fed from bottom, two a couple minutes below trail where sign (on ground, not on post) marks path to right, two more in small meadow on left of PCT just beyond where PCT starts slight climb
1674 Do not recall this seasonal creek
Cook and Green Pass - trail to piped spring is not marked but is a hard back left just where PCT first reaches parking area, about 140 yards
1683 Bear Dog Spring signed on right, small pool, dip or filter
1685 In this area noted unmarked but well-trod trail going back to right, did not check water availability but assume that was trail
1690 Alex Hole could we water down below from trail but did not try to access
1692 Mud Spring lots of cow flowing well, lots of 4-inch cow prints full of water in seep, filtered AND chlorinated, then dumped at next source
1695 Both Bear Ground Springs had water, and lots of signs of cows in the source, but there is a much better source just before those two springs. After the PCT crosses a dirt road at 1664, it makes a short switchback to the left. At this point you can hear what sounds like a large waterfall. An unmarked but well-defined trail leads down, across an old troad, to the spring. It's source is under a small tree, and no signs of cows were found there. It seemed to be great water.
1698 Donomore Creek had lots of slow moving water, filtered
1703 Sheep Camp Spring had huge cold flow from pipe, ranger said locals come up from town to get that water
Thereafter, all seasonal streams were flowing. There was water in the gully NE of Grouse Gap Shelter, a bit of brush on access. <1727>Callhan's food was great, please do not abuse the hiker shower ($12)
New possible caches in 2010 by Lloyd from Bend (per Yogi 1/25/10):
1882.9 Windego Pass cache planned (where a Spring listed does not exist)
1989.5 McKenzie/Hwy 242 pass cache in parking lot N of pass (also Lava Spring Lake off trail with what Yogi considers good enough water)

Go to Sections A - D John 4:13-14

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.
E: Agua Dulce to Highway 58 near Tehachapi Pass Caches Can Be Empty And Springs Go Dry Fast In This Area. Be Prepared!!! As a general rule, campground water sources are closed in winter.
E3	463.3	Bear Spring (can be trickle late season)	The water here had a slight sulfuric odor	7/6/11	Todd R	7/10/11
Spring is up the hill in the woods, a boxed area beneath a pipe. There is also a horse trough on the downhill side of the trail.
E3	465.6	Bouquet Canyon Cache 100' N of Rd	small cache	7/6/11	Todd R	7/10/11
E3	465.6+	*Bouquet Canyon (almost always dry)	flowing well [no recent reports]	5/23/11	JnB	7/10/11
E3	~466.5	There are at least 4 seasonal flows between Bouquet and San Francisquito 5/20/11 per I-Beam [These can go dry faster than listed sites.]
E5	471.6	Oasis Cache 200 yds S of 6N09	cache. (There is a stream about 40 yards S of cache that is flowing well on 5/12 per JnB)	6/17/11	Brian	6/17/11
E5	478.6	San Francisquito Canyon Rd (Ranger 0.15mi SW)& Cache	water faucets	5/20/11	I-Beam	5/21/11
Faucet at Ranger Station on side of building, in a small enclosed box - open and you'll see a water heater plus a faucet. If turned off, try fire hose in box in parking lot marked "Green Valley" turn on outside valve. Sign says they have updated their water purification system and that all faucets on the property now have potable water and that hikers are welcome to use them. (per I-Beam 5/20/11)
E5	478.6	Casa de Luna - Andersons(~2 SE)	"The Lounge Is ALWAYS Open!" says Joe (But they may not always be home off season)	6/19/10	TheWalruus	6/27/10
E6	486.3	Red Carpet Cache 200 yds S of Lake Hughes Rd	No cache, no stream. [guidebook map calls this Elizabeth Lake Rd]	1/7/12	Sandy	1/9/12
E6	487.7	Trailside wet-season spring	Flowing about a quart a minute. Scramble up steep slope via yellow handline for best water.	6/4/11	Gabriel	6/7/11
an interesting trailside water source where the water trickled off a tree root, from a spring uphill, into a plastic bottle N34.66672 W118.46637
E7	493.5	Maxwell Trail Camp guzzler (0.1 N on 1st of 2 dirt roads)	Still full, still yellow in color from pine needles.	1/7/12	Sandy	1/9/12
20 yds. below road with white concrete slab that channels water into underground tank. Gray guzzler can be seen fm tr; this road is grassy dirt, not just dirt
E7	494.0	Upper Shake Campground (0.6 mi N)	no water in creek	5/1/11	PCTA	1/9/12
Seasonal stream: Go into campground (outhouse, tables) at Upper Shake. Cross the first road, go to the second road (200 feet further, turn right until you hit information kiosk (almost hidden by brush 5/13). At that make another right and go up the road - look for white trail post leaned against tree. Right behind that tree is a trail that goes down into woods - go past first usually-dry creek and there is another creek beyond that. ALSO, Take Trail beyond Lower Shake, which leads to stream northerly a couple of hundred yards. Stream to south of campground. Report per Trail Gorilla water is contaminated, that's why closed to car campers; pipes are capped. treat before drinking (Kevin Corcoran 2009)
E7	496.8	Concrete tank at Ridgetop jct (200 yds W)	Could not remove cover. (Full 6/1/11 per Bubbles)	1/7/12	Sandy	1/9/12
Ridgetop jct of Maxwell TT 7N08, Burnt Pk Rd 7N23A, & Sawmill Mtn TT 7N23 (200 yds W) water full [metal plate can be moved to access water from the tank uphill from the junction of 2 roads, on left as you reach road nobo]
E8	500.7	Atmore Mdws Spur Road 7N19 (1.7 mi SW) -		-	-	-
E7	502.8+	Red Rock Water Tank	Low water level but water is clear; need a rope and container.	1/7/12	Sandy	1/9/12
(10,000 gallon) at high point on trail, where PCT nears road. Easy to spot. Pry metal lid (may be covered with rocks) off tank and filter water out. You may need rope to get down to water in tank.
E7	502.9+	Guzzler	Floaties in water, but cold and delicious. Plenty of water.	6/1/11	Bubbles	6/7/11
Behind scrub oak shrubs at trail post, water cistern uses metal corrugated roof to collect rain water. Crawl under roof & remove large round plastic cover.
E7	505.1	Tank (guzzler) near Liebre Mtn Truck Trail 7N23 (100 yds E)	-	-	-	-
past Bear Camp ½ mile to dirt road - guzzler. Stay on road 100 yards or so and it takes you back to Bear Camp.
		Horse Camp (0.2mi W)	Sign in place pointing to spring; access difficult due to blow downs & very steep "trail." Small pool, 3 inches deep.	1/8/12	Sandy	1/9/12
Horse Creek Camp has a sign for a spring 0.2 miles E down steeply from the camp, follow marked route.
E9	511.4	Pine Canyon creek and sag pond	Water flowing well, 3 feet wide, 6 inches deep.	1/8/12	Sandy	1/9/12
E9	511.7	Pine Canyon Road Trailhead	Store in Three Points mentioned in guidebook is now a private home, so continue to Hikertown.	11/26/10	Chris	11/28/10
E10	518.4	Highway 138 - Hikertown	Open, has water. [Hostel, water, shower, or spend the night... Just walk in through the gate any time. There's no check in, and no charge but donations are always appreciated... We're located on the N.E. corner of the Highway 138 Trailhead. (Bob Mayon 4/21/09) 6/25/11 hikers report $10 "donation" suggested to stay.]	5/25/11	JnB	5/28/11
E10	518.4	Highway 138: Country Store is closed - been out of business several months, one mile W HWY 138. (Neenach school shut down, Fenced and locked, no water.) 4/21/11
E10	520.2	Aqueduct	NO TRESPASSING - Lots of water	11/25/10	-	11/28/10
~533.5 Watch out for angry bees along this section. Everyone that has walked by here in the last few days has gotten stung (6/22 per The Walruus).
E12	534.8	Cottonwood Creek bridge (Faucet)	faucet (creek - filter 6/2 per Honeybee)	6/8/11	Nice & Steady	6/17/11
100 yards before crossing the bridge (nobo - just past small concrete bldg) look right for conspicuous "Trail Camp - Water" sign at eye level. Faucet is 15 yards downslope to your right. Sign says not potable but can be treated. ALSO, behind the open shade shelter is a pipe that may drip water, just in back of the open #1521+66 aqueduct access well. (There may also be water flowing from a pipe just N of the bridge on the W side into bushes - listening for it may help to locate it.) (Scheduled maintenance can shut off water during winter or emergencies. It's usually back on by April.)
north from waterhole on LA aqueduct (E12) to Tylerhorse Cyn found area nearly inaccessible due to heavy construction. considerable grading including the equivalent of two 2-lane dirt roads across the PCT and a wire fence across the trail (although there may be a future gate).(via PCTA 10/7/11)
10-4-2011 - The Canyon Fire burned 4.5 miles of the PCT in Oak Creek Cyn. The PCT is closed from Hwy 58 S until PCT connects with Los Angeles Aqueduct just N of Rosamond Blvd. - Closure map
E13	541.4	Tylerhorse Canyon	substantial water flow
E15	~556	"Tiger Tank" & shower (treat - shallow well)	Dry (Water turned off, faucet valve stripped out 5/1 per PCTA)	6/4/11	Pfeiffer	6/7/11
E15	558.0	Oak Creek	water	7/13/11	Todd R	8/24/11
E15	558.3	Tehachapi-Willow Springs Road	Town (11.4 mi W to Tehachapi or 12.0 mi E to Mojave)	-	-	-
E15	566.6	Highway 58	Cache SOMETIMES	-	-	-
F: Highway 58 near Tehachapi Pass to Highway 178 at Walker Pass Caches Can Be Empty And Springs Go Dry Fast In This Area. Be Prepared!!!
F4	~582.4	Seasonal Creeklet (NOT on guide map)	running nicely (easier than Golden Oaks Spring 1 mile north)	6/16/11	R	7/7/11
F4	583.4	Golden Oaks Spring	Algae in tank but pipe flowing (Vertical pipe flowing well after rainstorm on 5/29 per JnB) (On 5/6 per Ray lower PVC pipe just sputtering and hard to access in overgrowth)	6/7/11	MarknHolly	6/14/11
Use white 2" PVP pipe 4 feet below trail in swampy area (on right side for nobos) as it has better flow than pipe into trough on other side of trail.
F6	602.2	Robin Bird Spring (0.1 mi W)	water	7/14/11	Todd R	8/24/11
Walk through fence at new (May 2011) animal guard. Follow galvanized pipe uphill for 20 yards to gushing pipe. Face lower barb wire fence, left corner has a gate that was wired shut such that it cannot be opened. Climb gate or fence. Climb uphill (150 ft?) toward tank. Below tank (75 ft?) is a black PVC pipe that feeds spring. -->
F7	604.4	Cottonwood Creek branch (log bridge gone)	flowing well (flooded trail with a rock hop 5/28 per Don't Panic)	5/31/11	JnB	6/2/11
F7	~605.9	Concrete dam of spring uphill from PCT	- [Look for grassy patch on trail and a cement wall is 7 feet to your right. UTM 11S 0381550 3920522 ]	-	-	-
F7	607.3	Landers Creek	water	6/15/11	Redbeard	6/17/11
F7	608.2	Landers Mdw drainage at 1st Paiute Mt Rd xing	Weak flow - had a slight metallic taste.	5/31/11	JnB	6/2/11
F7	608.9	Landers Camp fire tank, SNF Road 29S05 (0.3 mi N)	-	-	-	-
There is a faded sign on a tree before the road that goes to the large, 15-foot diameter water tank and a pipe for running water. Road is after 1st Piute Mtn Rd xing heading NW.
F9	616.0	Kelso Valley Road Cache by Mary Barcik of Welden	well stocked (50 gallons 6/10, had gone dry 6/5)	6/24/11	Sunnuke	6/25/11
F9	618.1	Butterbredt Canyon Road, SC123 to a spring (1.2 mi N)	[no reports for years, guess no one goes here]	-	-	-
1½ miles downhill of the jct. Follow guidebook for directions, then go to cattle poind, then continue down towards the willows off to the left, this water does not come from the cattle pond. (Some get good water here using hose to get water into bottles, others call it an unappealing mud hole not worth the hike).
F10	622.2	Willow Spring, Road SC103(1.8 mi NW)	-	-	-	-
Pond is visible from PCT, 500 feet below. Spring has faucet outside of fenced spring, no need to go under fence.
F11	631.4	Bird Spring Pass Cache by Mary Barcik of Welden	water	6/16/11	Redbeard	6/17/11
F11	637.4	Yellow Jacket Spring (seep) (signed Scodie Trail 0.7 mi NW)	meadow water (filtered - left sign saying don't bother but didn't consider 643.5 much better)	6/14/11	Lil Steps	6/22/11
A sign on PCT says it's a seep & instructs hikers to dig a hole in the mud & let it fill up. At times, this spring can have a good flow. At the spring is a small sloping swampy meadow. Face downhill, keeping right of center, you can easily find clean, flowing water in early June of a moderate snowfall year. (not hard to find, just not as easy as a trough with a pipe).
F12	~643.5	Seasonal stream	Sufficient flow to filter	6/10/11	Clark Kent	6/14/11
F12	644.1	McIvers Spring (unmarked jct, 0.2 mi E)	water (lots of cold flowing water 6/12 per Bigfoot Jim)	6/16/11	Ryan	6/17/11
When PCT turns off to left (N), continue straight on road. If no flow from pipe below cabin (flow may decrease in afternoon), may be small seep on ground, or check small square box in grass ~50 ft upstream, or try: In 2007 hunters in area said 400 yards upstream spring will always have water (untested, appeared drier upstream 9/09).
F13	651.4	Walker Pass Trailhead Campground (0.1 mi N, also Onyx town 17.6 mi W)	upper most concrete cistern full, but no flow (no water at CG [as usual]	5/29/11	Don't Panic	6/2/11
According to sign at campground (2004), the tank is filled using a generator that is brought in temporarily. So once dry, it may remain dry for several days. If no water in campground, try the spring-fed 9-ft-square concrete cistern mentioned in the guidebook 0.14 mile down the highway. Follow campground spur road to CA-178; turn L, follow highway downhill & around curve to R; just before curve warning sign (NO 30mph sign), an unpaved road downhill to L will appear; you can see low concrete trough to left from highway; walk down to it (dry); listen for running h2o to L; walk thru brush to 2nd low box (dry); but in 3rd, tall concrete box h2o flows from pipe at top edge. "The water system at Walker Pass Campground is currently not operational due to electrical concerns. We are hoping to get somebody up there to troubleshoot and possibly repair the system later this month. I do not have an estimate as to when we will have the system operational once again. I do know that hikers often "stockpile" water near the trailhead for when they are passing through that segment of the trail. That is certainly an option for you." (BLM 4/7/08 via Travis) (There may also be water in Canebrake Creek 1.8 miles west down Highway 178.)
G: Highway 178 at Walker Pass to Kennedy Meadows (Section continues to Mt. Whitney) Caches Can Be Empty And Springs Go Dry Fast In This Area. Be Prepared!!! As a general rule, the campground water sources may be closed.
G1	663.7+	Stream past rough dirt road (seasonal)	water flowing at a decent rate	6/26/11	Red Beard	7/4/11
G1	664.1	Joshua Tree Spring (0.25 mi SW)	water (flowing into full trough 6/15 per Bigfoot Jim) [Sign says not safe for drinking, guidebook says trace of uranium, many drink it]	7/3/11	Evil Goat	7/4/11
Note: There are several stream crossings in the Spanish Needle Creek area. It is possible to confuse which crossing you are at. If you find good water, don't pass it if you need it! The next branch of the creek might be dry.
G3	668.6	Branch of Spanish Needle Creek	flowing well	6/4/11	JnB	6/7/11
The 1st branch that has water. Shown on map G3 as running next to an old jeep road. Has campsites on bank.
G3	669.0	Spring-fed branch of Spanish Needle Creek	slow trickle of water at what we think was this location	Red Beard	7/4/11
The North Fork - Usually the best of the 4 branches of Spanish Needle.
G3	669.7	Spring-fed streamlet	flowing, but much smaller than 1st 2 spanish needle creeks	6/4/11	JnB	6/7/11
N Fork, 2nd crossing higher up the slope.
G3	670.3	Spanish Needle Creek (3rd encounter)	no flow, some small pools	5/30/11	Don't Panic	6/2/11
1st branch, 2nd xing higher up the slope. The last one before heading up the hill.
G3	678.8	Seasonal creek (often dry)	-	-	-	-
G4	~681	Chimney Crk (seasonal)	creek full but flowing slowly, needs filtering, 8/28	8/28/11	Lou F	9/3/11
PCT crosses creek before Canebrake Rd. If water in camp is off, try creek: Leave campground and head 50 feet back down the road towards the PCT. Down the embankment on the right side of the road is a small seasonal Chimney Creek.
G4	681.3	Chimney Crk Campgrd (0.3 mi NE)	no water in camp	-	-	6/17/11

G4	~681.8	Seasonal stream (often dry)	[assume dry]	-	-	6/2/11
G4	683.6	Fox Mill Spring	water (no water in spring, stream flowing well 5/30 per Don't Panic)	6/27/11	Red Beard	7/4/11
If no water in spring, there is muddy access to a stream behind spring through opening in willows starting at the curve along the access trail to the spring. No access for horses.
G6	689.6	Long Valley Loop Rd (dry creek)	[assume dry] (flowing 1 mile S of PCT 4/10 per Jeff)	-	-	6/2/11
G6	694.0	First creek in Rockhouse Basin ("Manter Cr")	creek flowing well	8/28/11	Lou F	9/3/11
G6	697.4	Seasonal creek	Dry	5/31/11	Don't Panic	6/2/11
G7	698.8	South Fork Kern River	river had more water than practically anything we've seen all trip	6/28/11	Red Beard	7/4/11
G7	~699.3 (not 700.4)	Pine Creek (in NE of Section 25)	Flowing well	5/31/11	Don't Panic	6/2/11
G7	702.8	Kennedy Meadows General Store (0.7 mi SE from bridge)	Kennedy Meadows General Store - fall hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pay phone at store. [Tom in the trailers across from the store has internet and a magic jack phone connection. not sure about late season availability	9/22/10	Palomino	9/23/10
Beyond: (Bits and pieces via email - not be organized by mileposts or maintained) Section G: Water is plentiful. south fork of the Kern is flowing well. Going s from the "Swallow Bridge" at the crossing of the Kern in Monache at the border between Inyo & Sequoia national forests, there are a number of small springs indicated on maps, and they are flowing. About 2.6 miles s, trail crosses a vigorously flowing spring-fed creek at head of Beck Meadow. The crossing of Crag Creek 1 mile s of Haiwee Pass Lateral is flowing well, as is Crag Creek all the way down Clover Meadow to lower Crossing of Crag Creek. There is no other water crossing the trail as you go south to the footbridge crossing the Kern 1.7 miles further. (<10/8/11 per Ken) Section N: ~1384.7 Cache 44 is a small top off cache only, located near the Trailhead at the top of the Hat Creek Rim, off Hwy 44 - Had water ~6/27/11 per justin (stocked beginning Memorial Day until just before winter freeze per Firefly 9/4/09. Get most water at Subway Cave and just top off at Cache 44.) 1398.6 Cache 22 at Road 22 - approximately 25 gallons 8/18/11 per L-Rod Section Q (mileages from Halfmile's maps) ~8/25/11: 1617 Shelly Meadows water flowing good 1620 Creeklet flowing ok 1620b Fisher Lake had water, outlet stream accessible a few feet upstream from trail 1621 Marten Lake had water 1622 Stream before gap had water, also a small tarn at campsite 1630 Marble Valley creek had water, ranger recommended going upstream for best water 1635 Paradise Lake had water but lots of floaties, got water from creek 1/2 mile before (south) lake anticipating poor lake quality per guidebook 1641 Buckhorn Spring small pools fill from bottom, silty, best to pump filter 1648 Cold Spring Creek great cold water 1649-1656 Grider Creek and tributaries flowing strong 1662 Mid Valley RV Park very pleasant stay, please be nice to the owner Bruce and keep the hiker area etc clean. Section R (mileages from Halfmile's maps) ~8/25/11: 1664 Fern Spring flowing nicely from pipe to cistern 1668 Lookout Spring clean water flowing very slowly ~4 minutes per liter, just put your bottle on rock under pipe and be patient 1672 Kangaroo Spring, nice pools fed from bottom, two a couple minutes below trail where sign (on ground, not on post) marks path to right, two more in small meadow on left of PCT just beyond where PCT starts slight climb 1674 Do not recall this seasonal creek Cook and Green Pass - trail to piped spring is not marked but is a hard back left just where PCT first reaches parking area, about 140 yards 1683 Bear Dog Spring signed on right, small pool, dip or filter 1685 In this area noted unmarked but well-trod trail going back to right, did not check water availability but assume that was trail 1690 Alex Hole could we water down below from trail but did not try to access 1692 Mud Spring lots of cow flowing well, lots of 4-inch cow prints full of water in seep, filtered AND chlorinated, then dumped at next source 1695 Both Bear Ground Springs had water, and lots of signs of cows in the source, but there is a much better source just before those two springs. After the PCT crosses a dirt road at 1664, it makes a short switchback to the left. At this point you can hear what sounds like a large waterfall. An unmarked but well-defined trail leads down, across an old troad, to the spring. It's source is under a small tree, and no signs of cows were found there. It seemed to be great water. 1698 Donomore Creek had lots of slow moving water, filtered 1703 Sheep Camp Spring had huge cold flow from pipe, ranger said locals come up from town to get that water Thereafter, all seasonal streams were flowing. There was water in the gully NE of Grouse Gap Shelter, a bit of brush on access. <1727>Callhan's food was great, please do not abuse the hiker shower ($12) New possible caches in 2010 by Lloyd from Bend (per Yogi 1/25/10): 1882.9 Windego Pass cache planned (where a Spring listed does not exist) 1989.5 McKenzie/Hwy 242 pass cache in parking lot N of pass (also Lava Spring Lake off trail with what Yogi considers good enough water)