Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Water sources on Whitney main trail

Hi,

wanted information about water sources on main trail.
We are going there within 2 weeks, and would like to carry as less water as possible.

Are there are water sources on the trail which can be used to refill bottles (with a filter)?

If yes, can you please list the water bodies which carry water that is safe to drink after filtering?

If not, how much water should we carry per person?

Thanks in advance.

Water sources...

Ya, thanks

Just found this thread in another forum as well which point to same link

http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=1&Number=41702

You can also find those links to Bob R's Whitney water sources in the Reference Forum, first topic:

    Links to important Whitney information

And just so you know, Bob R and many others don't filter or treat their water. No samples have ever turned up enough impurities to cause any harm. (I'd go to the Trail Camp pond inlet rather than just the pond, though.) You can find links to water discussions in the above "Links..." page, as well.

Since there are so many water spots below Trail Camp, you only need to drink at each spot, and carry a minimum. At Switchback 23, you should fill your belly, and carry 3 liters. I know some people will hide the third at the top of the switch backs to consume on the way back.

It is all on the Mt. Whitney 7.5' quad.

My wife and I are planning on day hiking on the 13 of August. We are going to be carrying 3L camel baks. Would a Steripen be sufficient for water filtration?

You won't need the Steripen, but if you insist on bringing it, bring it....Just make sure to bring extra batteries for that extra weight.

Back in June 2010, I remember jokingly asking Bob R how he filtered his water in the Sierra Nevada...

"Through my teeth."

Nuff said...

Here's the 60,000 liters untreated link.

Steripens are designed for use in 1/2 liter and 1 liter water bottles; there are two settings. Using a Steripen in your 3 liter Camelbak will probably not purify the water nearly enough. Forget that idea.

I carry a 1 liter bottle and refill it as it gets used, then use the Steripen. There are usually water sources along nearly every Eastern Sierra trail, from which you can refill a bottle. I haven't used my Camelbak containers for the last 5 years.

If you get sick from Giardia (slight risk), don't worry, see your doctor; you'll get over it.

This is to confirm what Bob said, if you are going to use a Steripen, you are going to need to bring a 1 liter bottle.

It's a really dry year this year in the Southern Sierra - very sad out there. Keep that in mind.

The high country lakes and their inlets have water, but many small, Spring creeks have just about dried up.

Friends of mine, snow surveyors, told me that in early April, in the Kern River high country, out of over 120 snow survey data points, only 6 of them were showing measureable snow.

California will be in deep trouble if we get another dry Winter.