I haven't seen any posts about people having trouble refilling water at Trail Camp, so I wonder if I was doing something wrong?!?!?! From what I had researched about water sources, Trail Camp had 2 possibilities for water - either the pond or the stream feeding the pond. With two options available I really didn't think I would have any trouble.
I got there close to 3AM so it was completely dark. The pond looked incredibly polluted, but most importantly, it was too shallow at the edge for me to be able to catch any decent amount of water into my platypus bladder and soft-sided bottle. This wouldn't be a problem if I had a filter that pumps water, but mine is a sawyer mini that I put in-line with my bladder, so I have to catch the water first. I asked another group leaving their camp where they got their water, and they said to avoid the pond water and find the stream.
Prior to getting there, I had wrongly assumed that there would be an easy walk-up trail to the stream feeding the pond. This was not the case. Since it was dark, and I didn't know the layout of the area at all, it was very difficult to navigate a way to the stream.
1) We attempted to get to the stream by following the edge of the pond (could hear it but couldn't see it, and it seemed very far away), got dead-ended by water, and turned back.
2) Walked along the pond trying to find a deeper place to dip for water, but couldn't, and I didn't want to wade in because it was extremely cold
3) Discussed descending from Trail Camp to the last stream we passed, but I couldn't remember how far back it was and didn't want to add a lot more mileage to our hike.
4) Contemplated heading for the stream on the switchbacks, but weren't sure if it would be frozen and didn't want to take the risk.
4) Attempted again to find the stream by myself - this time I was successful but it did involve a lot of boulder-hopping in the dark. I am a novice hiker, and pretty much terrified of the dark, so it wasn't easy for me.
We ended up dawdling at Trail Camp for over an hour! All of the prior water sources had been extremely easy - right next to the trail, just dip and go. Knowing what I know now, if I ever did this hike again, I would definitely just refill at Trailside Meadows or the stream we crossed a short distance down from Trail Camp.
