The pond around 1.5.
Hail on its way, around mile 5.3.
The first half of this segment is a popular bike ride -- people take a shuttle up from Poncha springs and zip up the trail. They turn off at 4.1, though, so then you'll have the road to yourself. For a while. Around mile 12, you'll almost certainly be joined by cows... or by their pies at the very least.
Near the very end of this segment, at Sargent's Mesa, you may be able to spot the Soldier's Stone. It's a tall granite memorial, inscribed with poignant and profound quotes about war, most in languages other than English. Its erection was meant to honor the sacrifice of soldiers, on all sides of conflict... and to comment on the anguish of war.
I do not, alas, know exactly where it can be found -- the Forest Service intentionally does not publicize the location. It is, however, just barely visible from the trail. The memorial is surrounded by a low wall of local stone, to prevent cattle damage, but that means it blends into the landscape. There are a few pictures of the place, available here.
Once out of Tank Seven drainage, the terrain on Sergent's Mesa is rolling, short-cropped grassy fields spotted with clumps and stands of thick old pine.
Cows on Sergent's mesa.
Guidebook update suggestions:
0.1
Keep a careful eye out here for CT triangle markers. You will make about three or so turns at possibly confusing intersections over the next 0.2 m. There is Verizon cellphone service from a hill overlooking Marshall Pass.
1.5
To the left was a very small pond, mostly hidden among the plants. I spotted it about two days after the last heavy rainfall. Pic below. Probably not very reliable.
4.3
I couldn't see the spring that is supposed to be near the bottom of the slope, off the trail... but there was so much water in other places, there was no need to go hunting it.
4.7
For example, here. About twelve hours after moderate rain, there were two streams crossing the trail through this section. The trail was also very, very muddy -- and very slow going.
5.5
As I headed up the switchbacks at this small secondary peak, there were signs of a motorcycle crash -- half a visor at one switchback, then later a wickedly ripped kneepad, then a piece of fender... careful if you're biking. Evidently the trail can get slippery here.
6.5
Descend into a very thick, young forest which sometimes seems endless. Off to the right, though, you will soon glimpse vistas and valleys -- welcome reminder that you're standing atop the Continental Divide.
8.8
Campsite to your left.
8.9
This pipeline swath is now very hard to spot, and you do not actually 'join' it for any appreciable length. Basically the only indication that you're crossing the pipeline is a stand of very small pines, and once you pass them, if you look back over your right shoulder, you might spot some circular orange warning signs.
11.0
Tank 7 trail joins to your left; stay straight.
11.6
Cross creek. There should be a cleaner tributary just up ahead if you don't want to drink cow-flavored water.
11.7
This seems to be the best place to fill up. However, the rest of this valley (about 2 more miles) may have several flowing springs, if there has been rain the last few days. But there's also a lot of cow poop laying around. Camping is poor for the next 4 miles due to cows.
15.0
An odd little fenced area to your left protects a small marshy region, and there may be some water there.
The elevation profile is mainly correct, but remember, even though a section might look smooth, you will be climbing and descending dozens of rocky little 50-foot rocky hills. Don't worry too much if the profile says 'flat' and your feet say it's anything but.
----> Onward, to segment 17!
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