Water availability will be scarce in 2021. We have an active Facebook page where there is usually current water info. A good source is our Forum. If you don’t see a current post about water in the area you’d like to visit, submit a post and ask – there is almost always someone who has been there recently. Veteran hiker “Hikin’ Jim” has compiled an interactive map of the Wilderness, including the location of many water sources, some not in this list. Visit his blog here.
List of Water Sources
Big Tree: water is readily available year round
Dollar Lake: Spring is located at the west side of the lake, in the rock formation, . The spring is unreliable in a drought year. Water is reliable on the main trail from a spring in a meadow that flows onto the trail. This spring is before the spur trail to dollar lake as you are going south (uphill). 6/2021: Almost dry
Fish Creek Camp: Stream crosses trail .5 miles up from camp. 6/2021: stream is flowing well.
Fish Creek Saddle: No water. Go down to Lodgepole.
Halfway Trail Camp: as of 5/2021 there is no water
High Creek Trail Camp: water is available. 5/2021
Lodgepole Spring: 6/2021 spring is running but very low. There is a tiny spring just below the trail before you get to the lake that is usually reliable.
Mineshaft Flat: Water is .3 mile down trail below the camp. Comes from a spring under the trail, watch for it on your left going down canyon. Always reliable.
South Fork Meadows: Takes its name from the South Fork of the Santa Ana River; water is very reliable and lasts all year.
Vivian Trail Camp: Creek is in camp; water available as of 5/2021
