Finding water in Southern California is a constant struggle. Drought, lowering water tables and earthquakes that shift the landscape all have the ability to diminish or alter the natural flow of water. PCTA volunteers constantly are working to improve and repair our water sources in Southern California. Recently, the volunteer Trail Gorillas have completely re-plumbed Joshua Tree Spring (mile 664) and each year a considerable amount of work goes into maintaining Barrel Spring (mile 101). This year’s focus is on Golden Oaks Spring (mile 583).
In two visits to the spring, Trail Gorillas’ section Chief Jerry Stone and volunteers Bill Carter, John Shelton, Pete Fish, Steve Rogers, and Gilbert Silveira have put 245 hours into this project. They have at least one more trip planned.
Volunteers dig out new channels for Golden Oaks Spring after having cleared the slope above of brush.
During the first visit over four days in late April, the crew did brushing, fence work, digging channels to the spring box and some plumbing. On their second trip in early May, Jerry and John returned to drain and clean out the trough, patch cracks in the trough and install a siphon tube inside the spring box to help the water flow from the box to the trough, where hikers can access it. They monitored the siphon for 24 hours and after some calibrating, it now produces about a 11 gallons every hour. This slow flow was engineered to prevent water from being removed from the spring box faster than its being replenished.
The crew installed a new fence to keep cattle out of the spring box.
Next up on the water source list is Robin Bird Spring. Volunteer leader Jerry will be out there clearing trees in the area in late May and early June and will evaluate the maintenance needs of that spring and create a plan.
It’s important to note that maintaining the trail – and the water sources along it – is a group effort. At Golden Oaks Spring, the Bureau of Land Management provided fencing materials. Our volunteers provided their labor and love of the trail. John Shelton brought out his own generator to drain the trough so it could be patched. A nearby wind farm allowed volunteers to access the spring and the PCT via their network of private roads. The Back Country Horsemen of California-Antelope Valley Unit paid for materials (rock, plumbing pipe, fittings, patch supplies, etc.) and the fuel to haul 2,000 pounds of rock to the worksite. PCTA and BLM supported the project’s food and other associated costs.
They dug new channels into the spring box and lined them with fabric and rock to help increase the flow and make it a bit cleaner.
This project shows true teamwork. Without partnerships such as this, we’d struggle to make much headway on these large and complicated projects. I can’t thank our partners enough for all of their hard work and dedication. Thanks to each of you for everything you do for the PCT!
We’d love to get you involved in volunteering for the Pacific Crest Trail. There is plenty of work to be done. Find a project on our project schedule.
A new siphon was installed in the spring box.