Water Caching - When and How
Every now and then, it can be a very good idea to leave a water cache for yourself. Specifically, when you’re hiking or running a long, dry route, a water cache can keep you hydrated and moving - especially on hot days.
Larry and I left a water cache for ourselves on our most recent outing when hiking a ridge route off the Auxier Ridge Parking Lot. The route plan was for 18 miles with no water for the opening 12+ miles until dropping down to Auxier Branch.
We filled our packs to the max and each carried at least 2.5 liters each, but on a hot ass day, this wasn’t going to be enough for the entire route.
So, we stashed a cache. See what I did there? I could’ve been a dad rapper.
Anyway, the route was a series of out and backs, so we placed it at one of the turns around 6-7 miles into the route - the junction at Double Arch Trail and ‘Cruise Liner Rock Trail’.
We refilled water when we came back and tossed the bottle (this one I’ve been reusing for several years at this point) with a bag of trash we cleaned up at Sky View Arch.
Another pair of hikers wound up taking the trash and the empty jug back to the trailhead trash bin, so I didn’t need to retrieve the bottle, which was nice!
Of course, IF Amazon had delivered my order on time, we would’ve simply refilled water, and I would’ve folded the empty water bag into my pack.
In planning this route, I ordered some reusable water bags, but alas, they arrived while we were hiking - got the picture of the delivery around mile 9.
If you are hiking a route like what we did, a water cache is better than money in the bank. And, I would highly recommend using a bag like this or something similar:
Reusable Collapsible Water Bag from Amazon
AND, if you’re wondering where in Kentucky you might need a water cache, I can tell you there aren’t a ton of places or routes that would need it. Another that comes to mind is Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail in dry season or drought. A few of the water stops there are springs that might not be super reliable after an extended dry period.
Another use case is when you’re doing a super long route and simply don’t want to spend time filtering water. Let’s say you do the southern traverse of RRG between Martin’s Fork and Creation Falls - dropping a water cache at the crossover between Swift Camp Creek and Rough Trails might save you some time and effort.
BTW, we’ll primarily be using these water bags when dispersed camping. I drink A LOT of coffee in the mornings!