Tycho Brahe 

Want to make the trek from Azusa to Dawson Saddle, but the lack of facilities worries me.

I have done the ride somewhat before by going first to Crystal Lake and then to the 39/2 connection, but never all the way to Dawson Saddle (and bypassing Crystal Lake). Will be returning via the ACH, stopping on Newcomb's.

There is a place called Coldbrook Campground, but I have never seen water when riding by.

TGT1

USFS says water is available from the creek and must be boiled or treated. There used to be a spigot. The tank and piping is still there.
There's a spring a bit farther up too, but I wouldn't trust that either. Filter or stop at Crystal Lake.

A 3L camelback will get you to Crystal Lake, even mid summer. Start early!

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ange...a/?recid=41772

Tycho Brahe 

I will not be stopping at Crystal Lake. Straight to Dawson Saddle. Don't own a camelback, too late to get one for this weekend. I will carry three bottles of water, just would feel better if there was something along the way.

diphthong

Tycho Brahe 

Does wine count?

TGT1

Nope!

diphthong

generally no but if the wine is good enough, it will hang with your palate memory allowing you to think about how fantastic it was
instead of thinking about that 9% ramp looming in front of you and you'll be craving it post-ride.

diphthong

Tycho, you're a stronger rider than i am. i did that ride two years ago. if i can do it, you'll crush it.

Tycho Brahe 

No wine? How about a gin and tonic then? Tonic is just water, right?

I cannot start at dawn, but I will try as early as possible.

diphthong

stay away from the limes and you'll be fine.

diphthong

which gin? i prefer citadelle but most gravitate towards the english dry or dutchie style.

TrojanHorse

What kind of nonsense is this about staying away from the limes?

GuessWhoCycling

Done rode to Dawson Saddle on a hot day, the water from the spring is awesome!

I was worried about it but my partner assured me it was fine. I trusted his word, I mean after all, I don't think he wanted to be around if I squirted my chamois.

f4rrest

So, spring water with a shot of gin?

jimxyz

I've stopped at a campground - I think Coldbrook may be it - and they did have water. The section north of where the gate is, is pretty ugly. Next time I ride that I plan on bringing either a few extra tire patches or an extra tire, had a blow out from hitting one of the many rocks in the road about a mile from 39 that left a huge hole in my tire. Would have been happy to have had some gin/vodka in my water bottle after that nightmare.

diphthong

it is an enticing spring, having done a lot of the climb at that point. probably a good place for a taco stand.

diphthong

Eggman84

This time last year there was still piped water at Coldbrook Campground, which is located almost in the middle of my ride from the canyon mouth to the junction with Hwy 2 (Angeles Crest Highway). But yes, the USFS website currently says water available only from the river and "should be boiled or purified". Don't know if this means they have turned off piped water permanently, just a holdover from winter season, or them being conservative and not wanting to promise potable water availability. I have stopped at the spring several mile further along multiple times to top off bottles and never gotten sick. Spring water is generally pretty clean (lots of communities use spring water without requiring treatment). You can always get a UV type device or filter if worried about water source. Not much weight but yes they do take up some space.

Tycho Brahe 

Did I make it? Yes, but I would not say I made it in a big way. I don't using a cycling computer and I misread my mileage markers. Thought Dawson Saddle was much much farther from Islip Saddle, so I rested up too much. After half hour from Islip Saddle, decided to rest again, not realizing that the peak was around the corner. Stupid!

Made it with one large 1000ml bottle, an insulated standard size bottle (w/ electrolyte mix) and an extra disposable bottle in my jersey pocket. Made it to Dawson Saddle with half of the large bottle. For my other stupid move of the day, I decided NOT to get water at Newcomb's since I did not care for the vibe there. No other cyclists and I got dirty looks from some of the motorcyclists. Haters to the left! Thought I could easily make it to Redbox. Ugh, what a drag. Got to Redbox with no water. Was not worried since I knew it was coming up. Drank a can of coke even though I hate soda. Coke is just a conduit for rum.

There appears to be water early on the 39:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ange...a/?recid=41960 Did not stop to find out.

Bumped into quite a few cyclists. The only other times I went up, I barely saw anyone. Everyone appeared to stop at Coldbrook, but since I was feeling good, I just kept going.

diphthong

the vibe was better when it was closed

Elvo

There is water at Camp Williams

Tycho Brahe 

Thanks. Camp Williams is 4 miles away from route 39, so an eight mile detour (especially so early in the ride), is not ideal. Rather detour to Crystal Lake.

diphthong

that sounds like heaven currently...