PCT Water Caches

imported
#1

Would someone please explain the PCT water cache system to me?

From what I gather, there are numerous water caches at various points on the southern end of the trail. From photos in various journals, the water caches appear to consist of endess one gallon containers of water, with either green or blue labels. Clearly, they are not put there by the hikers.

Where does the water come from?

Who delivers it to the caches and how often is a cache replenished?

Who pays for it?

How far apart (miles)are the caches?

How how many gallons does a single hiker take from a cache at one time?

Thanks very much–and please add any information you thing I should know that I haven’t asked about.

For example: Is there a website or other resource that will fully inform me about these water caches?

Thanks again.

Cover

Cover

#2

Where does the water come from? ---- various trail angels in the SoCal area bring water to dry sections of the trail as a gift to hikers.

Who delivers it to the caches and how often is a cache replenished? ---- again, many different people maintain these caches. There is not a schedule for when they are replenished, this is a totally voluntary and physically demanding service the angels provide.

Who pays for it? ---- not sure, but I’d guess that the angels pay for the water out of their own pockets.

How far apart (miles)are the caches? ---- it varies.

How how many gallons does a single hiker take from a cache at one time? ---- water caches should ONLY be used as supplementary water. You should watch your data book and carry your water from natural sources. Water caches should be viewed as supplementary drinking water, and NEVER used for cleaning water. I’ve never taken more than 2 quarts from a water cache. Also, you should NEVER drink directly from a water cache bottle. Pour the water into your own container, then drink.

Is there a website or other resource that will fully inform me about these water caches?

AsABat has a water page here: http://4jeffrey.net/pctwater

I’m not sure if it lists water caches or not.

yogi

www.pcthandbook.com

yogi

#3

They go fast in early season, and sometimes after a certian time are not refilled.

It is a blessing to have them, but there were two times this trip when we hit empties…and when you think on it as a ‘for sure’ you can set yourself up for trouble.

South of Wrightwood 4-wheelers folk will snatch them sometimes, as we were told by some local angels, even though they know they are for hikers.

Live and learn.

Lion King

#4

Does anyone know how to send a donation to the folks providing the water caches? They really were a big help during my SoCal section on the PCT.

Jeff

#5

Well some of the water caches are maintained by the ADZ staff members and they get reinburshed sometimes from the money thats donated to the kickoff. This has not always been the case and indeed for years the cost of these caches were covered by the trail angles themselfs as is the case further up the way… Perhaps if you wanted to make a donation it could be sent to ADZPCTA and marked seperatly for the water caches…

Meadow Ed