I fully understand all the bad feelings here, and can't understand the nighttime ambush, but... please keep in mind the same Desert Water Agency provides a drinking fountain at the bottom of the Pacific Crest Trail, 20 miles from the last on-trail water source when northbound. This water source is critical for PCT thruhikers, many of whom have their pictures taken at this location. Clearly this generousity is not the work of an evil empire.
Hopefully a legal route can be established (sounds like we're on our way) and the permit situation can be resolved as well.
Again, I'm not defending any scare tactics, but I'm appreciative of the water supply that DWA provides hikers.
