Black Mt - PCT - Deer -Summit- Welman- PCT - fULLER

[dhstein313]

Just completed 21 mile loop - much tougher than I thought but still finished in 9 hrs. Started at the PCT at 11:00 AM near Black Mt - hiked over Fuller Ridge and then summited via Deer Springs. Deer Springs is the first water and where we saw the first people. We checked out Little Round Valley ranger platform for the first time ---- does not look like it gets much use???????? Is that solar panel hooked up to anything?????

The summit was getting socked IN and it looked like SAN G was getting poured upon - starting early probably as early as noon. It started to rain on the top but it stopped as soon as it began. Headed back down to Wellmans Divide and saw a few more people. There is some water at Wellmans Cienga and barely a drip at Strawberry Cienga. Saw two others on the PCT just South of Fuller Ridge. [b]A very grand day in the wilderness! [/b] A little bit more water than I thought and IMO the topography much more interesting than my usual play ground - San G. Those humongous boulders are pretty awesome.

D

[Hikin_Jim]

There was water at Deer Springs? I had heard that DS was dry some time ago. Was it usable water or just some wet spots and mud?

Sounds like a good hike; glad you could come over on this side of the 10.

[dhstein313]

I was actually flowing Very Well ---- one big puddle that was at least 3 inches deep - great for dipping and then a small single drip waterfall where I hand cupped and drank deeply. I'd say 2 liters/minute flow.

D

[Hikin_Jim]

Nice! And this is right by the trail? Or did you go up the drainage a bit?

Was it here: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=33. ... ize=l&s=50

Or was it here: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=33. ... &layer=DRG

Or ?

Any water at Little Round Valley?

[dhstein313]

Most definintely the 2nd one - nearer to Little Round Valley and it was just 10 feet off trail. Did not see any H20 at LIttle Round Valley but I could tell where water often is ......... and there might have been some around the ferns and skunk cabbaga but did not look nor hear any flows.

D

[Hikin_Jim]

Where you found the water is about where I would expect. I just didn't think there would be any this late in the year with what little rain we had this past season.

Thanks for the update!