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c/backpacking-routes•avery_rossavery_ross•28d ago

Lost 4 hours trying to find water on the JMT last August

Got to a creek crossing that was marked on my map but it was completely dry, and the next water source was supposedly 7 miles ahead. Had to backtrack 2 miles and bushwhack off trail to find a seep that barely trickled. How do you guys actually confirm water sources are flowing before you head out on a long stretch?
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3 Comments
mark_carr7
mark_carr728d ago
Last year on Cottonwood Pass I had a similar issue, there's this spot on the map near the old cabin that's supposed to have a nice little stream but it was just a dry gravel bed. I ended up digging a hole in the sand with my pot and waited like 20 minutes for it to fill, barely got a liter. After that I started checking the Sierra Nevada snow reports and the California drought monitor before every trip. Now I just assume every creek under 6,000 feet is gonna be sketchy in late August unless it's a major river.
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wade871
wade87128d ago
Check Facebook groups for the area right before you leave...
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jennifer833
Mark_carr7, that drought monitor tip is GENIUS and I'm definitely using it now.
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