The Long-Promised State of the Upland Water Sources Report

This is Bonus Spring. If you're looking at the new version of the map--or on the Wilderness Press map--it doesn't appear. We removed it from the newest edition because it was unreliable--but BONUS when it was running. This year, we did some tweaking to try and improve it. It's better, but still not year-round water.

I visited Bonus Spring and Miller Camp, this week. Both water sources are iffy. Both water sources are DRIPPING at about two drops per second. You could get water at either location, but is it really worth your time? Especially if you are dropping a bunch of elevation just to get water? Probably not.

So let's call Miller Loop a day-hike until the rains come. You can camp there, but plan to do so either dry or with a lot of waiting for water.

Maple and Bear Hollow continue to provide adequate water for camping. No problems there.

Telegraph Spring is your best bet if you are heading north from Rattlesnake along the KCT with intent to reach the Cooskie. Telegraph is along the Smith-Etter (Telegraph Ridge) road about one mile beyond the Kinsey Ridge Trailhead. It's a pipe sticking out of the ground--pretty obvious. It is still a stream of water, though nothing like Bear Hollow. Gimme a call before you do this trip--I'll keep an eye on it.

There is no other water in the high country. If you are doing that King Crest from Saddle to the Mattole, you will have water sources at Maple, Telegraph, and Cooskie Creek. Bear Hollow is eight tenths of a mile off the trail, should you need it.

The Dry Time is here. So. Pack plenty of water in the high country and remember: No Fires.

The beach is still doing pretty well for water: All named creeks are running.