When I did a cabride on the D&SNGRR the crew brought along their own water bottles. The kind that keeps the water cold for a while. Soda, snacks, and water bottles are sometimes left along the line for the speeder guys...compliments of the concession car.
Not as nostalgic as the water bag, but what they do nowadays...probably a lot safer too. I've been told and most locals agree never to drink anything straight from any stream in the San Juans. There's a lot of heavy metals from mine tailings, and worse you can get what is typically called "Beaver Fever". Not really a fever, but that water you took in will be coming out in both directions for a while, or so I've heard
I should add though that while on a Boy Scout trip to the high San Juans (13,000+) above Silverton I drank straight from a stream and didn't get sick. But the higher you go the better your chances are for not getting sick from the water.
We don't treat the water from our well at 8220 feet in Vallecito (well is 200 feet deep) and it's wonderfully cold and clear. After good winters it's an artesian and it's nice to drink straight from the well head...also makes for some fun water features on the outdoor layout.
Matt
Lake Forest, CA
Click Here for my model train photo website
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2007 12:40AM by San Juan.