Hey guys, I’m planning on staying at the perch shelter and tentsites and was wondering if they have a water source? Do most shelters have water sources?
SuprScout
Water - Appalachian Trail
system
#2
Many AT shelters have a water source, but that may mean that it’s either not accessible easily (like Peters Mountain here in PA) or may dry up or be shut off. The best guide to water sources is the ALDHA’s Thru-Hiker’s Companion. The online version (the 2006 Online Companion) lists The Perch as having a water source that is crossed en route to the shelter. If you need to look up others, take a look at the Online Companion:
http://www.aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm
It’s a good resource for that kind of trail detail, sometimes better than the individual state guidebooks.
Strategic
system
#4
The ALDHA guide is great - but keep in mind that the free, online version is last years edition. The current year has to be bought.
Check the copyright date of any state guidebooks that you consider using. Some haven’t been updated in years.
Shelter water sources - keep in mind that some shelter water sources are as far as a mile away. And that may require an elevation change in hiking to it. Can make for a long “end of the day.” Instead, I like to use a 2-liter Platypus with those black, web carry handles. I fill up at a source (any hour or so) prior to my camping spot (shelter or otherwise).
Been there, done that