Bedrock water source
Overview
A bedrock water source is a spring, pool, or flow that emerges directly from or over exposed rock, often with limited sediment or soil around the point of emergence.
Key points
- May appear as seeps, trickles, or small pools in rock depressions.
- Flow is influenced by underlying geology, fractures, and seasonal conditions.
- The term describes the geological setting, not the safety or potability of the water.
Details
Bedrock water sources are common in some mountainous and arid regions where water moves through fractures or porous zones in rock and emerges at or near the surface. They may form small pools on rock shelves or feed short stream segments before disappearing again into soil or rock. Such sources can be relatively clear because they lack nearby loose sediment at the point of emergence, but clarity alone does not determine water quality. The phrase simply identifies that the source is associated with exposed bedrock rather than with soil-based springs or surface-runoff pools.
Related topics
Disclaimer: thruhikingwiki.com is an independent, informational reference only. It is not an official source for any trail association, land manager, park, agency, or guide service. Nothing on this site is legal, safety, medical, navigation, or professional advice, and it does not replace formal training or certified instruction. Thru-hiking and backcountry travel involve significant risk. Local regulations, land manager rules, and manufacturer instructions always take priority. You are solely responsible for your planning decisions, safety practices, and compliance with applicable laws. Use this site at your own risk.
Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.