#PCT cell/internet is sketchy N of Tehachapi. Follow PCT via SMS by texting “follow pctnews” to 40404. blog.twitter.com/2010/08/introd…
— PCT News (@pctnews) May 20, 2012
Solar eclipse this Sunday. latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/05/…
— PCT News (@pctnews) May 19, 2012
This week the BLM issues fire restrictions for parts of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego counties banning campfires, except in developed campgrounds. Back country campfires are always illegal in Cleveland National Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto State Park Wilderness, and Angeles National Forest. This means campfires are banned along most of the Pacific Crest Trail south of Hwy 138 [PCT mile 518].
Other fire restrictions for southern California:
Cleveland National Forest – Wood or charcoal fires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and developed picnics areas within designated fire rings. Gas, liquid, and jelly petroleum fueled stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds, developed picnic areas, and other areas with a proper permit.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/cleveland/home/?cid=stelprdb5302605
Anza Borrego State Park – Ground fires are not permitted. A metal container must be used for all campfires. Bring your own firewood. Gathering or taking of any live, dead or downed vegetation is prohibited. Pack out all ashes.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/638/files/anza-borrego%20desert%20state%20park%20magazine.pdf
A sign welcoming PCT hikers to Idyllwild is defaced after the 2008 Apache fire that was started by a hiker smoking on the PCT.
San Bernardino National Forest – Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted [outside of developed campgrounds]. Gas and propane stoves only. Wood fires not permitted in the PCT Camps [Bench Camp, Deer Springs, Doble, Holcomb, Little Bear Springs, Mission Springs].
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/home/?cid=fsbdev7_007776
read more…
The Tuolumne Meadows Store and Grill at #PCT mile 943 will open for the season on Fri May 25. media.yosemitepark.com/article_displa…
— PCT News (@pctnews) May 19, 2012
Camper fined for starting fire with alcohol-fueled stove. Watch out with those! denverpost.com/breakingnews/c… via @denverpost
— Pacific Crest Trail (@PCTAssociation) May 18, 2012
Border #6 Fire [update] southeast of Campo (San Diego County) is now 80% contained at 150 acres. Full containment expected tonight.
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) May 18, 2012
Confirmed that Castella PO won’t close. Might go to 4 hrs/day in 2013.
— Pacific Crest Trail (@PCTAssociation) May 17, 2012
Baring Post Office also won’t close this season. In fact, word is that congress is held up, and none will close..
— Pacific Crest Trail (@PCTAssociation) May 17, 2012
For updates on the #Border1 #wildfire SE Campo, CA near Mexico border:@Calfiresandiego@Cal_Firecdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/inci…
— USFS Fire-California (@R5_Fire_News) May 18, 2012
The free Halfmile PCT iPhone app has been updated. Updates include:
- Specific “how to walk there from here” routing instructions for all points
- Color coded and simplified side trail points
- Simulator now accepts SPOT(tm) text and email message coordinates
- Various usability improvements and bug fixes
Links:
Halfmile’s PCT app on Apple iTunes preview page
Early hiker David Cully sends a Sierra trail conditions report from Mammoth via Tom from Kennedy Meadows and Facebook:
It is a breeze from KM to Crabtree Meadow, and the climb up Whitney is not too bad. Starting with Forester pass, though, there are consistent patches of snow above 10,500 feet, and around 11,000 or so, this turns into continuous snowpack. This makes the trail very tough to follow. I spent miles off trail before and after every pass. The tops of the passes are mostly clear, so on Forester and the other ones where it is important to be on the switchbacks to dodge cliffs, you can make it over okay. Good map navigation is a necessity. Keep in mind, however, that I don’t have a GPS or a compass, so it’s not impossible, just a pain in the ass. Also, you posthole a lot in the afternoon – it’s good to start the passes early.
The blowdowns are the other thing that suck. The ranger in Devil’s Postpile told me that this winter they had a 150mph windstorm that hit most of the Sierra pretty hard. The worst areas are the Palisade Creek drainage, San Joaquin River drainage (853-856), the switchbacks down to VVR (876-878), and the last few miles before Reds Meadow (899-906). Those mileages are from Halfmile’s maps. The Forest Service has crews working daily on the Reds Meadow blowdowns, which are the worst – however, I doubt they can clear all of the blowdowns before the wave of hikers gets there. As far as the other blowdown areas go, the Forest Service didn’t even know about them until I gave them the same mileages I’m giving you… The ranger told me that blowdowns are bad in Yosemite as well.
It was a tough, fun 200 miles, but postholing sucks, so I’m going to flip north and hike southbound back to Mammoth Lakes. I hope this info helps the incoming class of 2012!
David