[pct-l] Hiking in Southern California

Fri Nov 2 14:54:50 CDT 2007

I am very surprised to hear that the Warner Springs CDF firefighters were not emphatic about the trail closure.  Use is limited to highways, and then only for thru-traffic, not parking an d hanging about.  According to Todd (the volunteer at North Fork Ranger Station in the San Gabriels), in the Angeles NF they have brought in National Park Police to assist in enforcing the closure.  Several arrests have been made, though they are generally limited to those who are belligerent and uncooperative about leaving the forest.  

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Tom Bache <tbache at san.rr.com>
>Sent: Nov 2, 2007 11:14 AM
>To: asabat at 4jeffrey.net, lafferty1 at yahoo.com, "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>, Slyatpct at aol.com
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Hiking in Southern California
>
>On 11/2/07 10:34 AM, "asabat at 4jeffrey.net" <asabat at 4jeffrey.net> wrote:
>
>> Check before you go. Heading north from WS puts you in the Cleveland NF which
>> is closed. The first 8 miles south is Vista Irrigation District land - status
>> unknown but I know they're worried about fires in their watershed. Further
>> south is BLM land which is also closed.
>
>Bill,
>
>That may be so, but no one would know unless very well-informed people tell
>them.  You know everything that follows, but I'll write it for those from
>elsewhere who aren't so familiar with the situation down here.  There is a
>CDF fire station in Warner Springs, and I chat with various folks at the
>resort with connections to the CDF or other fire-fighting agencies.  None of
>them suggested that there was anything wrong with hiking or riding in the
>national forest land north of the resort -- and I saw some headed out that
>way on their horses.
>
>You might ask, "what's the point?"  Good question, because I'm not sure.
>Maybe it is that the purpose of these forest and trail closures is to
>reinforce the message that we are in a very, very dangerous fire season.  I
>haven't seen any concern about enforcing the closures or even publicizing
>them beyond issuing press releases.  This is based on what I saw near Warner
>Springs last weekend when the fires were still raging.  I'd be surprised if
>it has changed or is much different elsewhere, but I live to be surprised!
>
>A somewhat related point -- in the recent fires our San Diego County
>authorities almost certainly saved lives by being very, very cautious in
>their evacuation orders.  As an example, I have friends who were in the
>evacuation area this time (the fire never got within 5 miles), but were not
>in the evacuation area in 2003 (the fire burned hundreds of homes within 1-2
>miles).   This time most of the people (and there are many) who ignored the
>evacuation orders  are no doubt happy (perhaps smug) that they did so.  This
>is well-known, so it is a safe bet that many more people will ignore the
>evacuation orders next time, and a few will pay dearly for it. And so the
>pendulum swings -- excess caution, too little caution.
>
>Of course, it is foolish and very anti-social to hike in an area known to be
>closed due to fire danger or anything else.   Perhaps it turns on the
>meaning of "know."  But I shouldn't be flippant about the fire danger -- it
>is obviously very real -- I keep an eye out for smoke upwind, and I wouldn't
>go very far from the means for a fast escape if I felt a strong wind from
>the east.  
>
>Tom Bache
>San Diego
> 
>
>  
>
>  
>
>
>
>> 
>> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Tom Bache <tbache at san.rr.com>
>> 
>> Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2007 09:58:47
>> To:<lafferty1 at yahoo.com>, "pct-l at backcountry.net"
>> <pct-l at backcountry.net>,<Slyatpct at aol.com>
>> Subject: [pct-l] Hiking in Southern California
>> 
>> 
>> Karen asked about day hiking in SoCal this weekend.  Everything seems to be
>> fine near Warner Springs -- and the hiking possibilities are endless in that
>> area (it is close to Anza Borrego State Park).
>> 
>> I did two day hikes from Warner Springs last weekend while the fires were
>> still burning to the west.  If any hiking areas were officially closed
>> (maybe they were), it would be news to the people who live and work there.
>> The air and sky were clear, and the temperature was ideal (about 70).  You
>> can go north or south on the PCT from Warner Springs, and there are ways to
>> do loops instead of out-and-back (contact me off-line if you want some
>> tips).  If you have a way to organize a car shuttle, Chihuahua Valley Road
>> to Warner Springs is one of my favorite day hikes -- it is nicely
>> supplemented by climbing 6193' Combs Peak before going south to Warner
>> Springs. 
>> 
>> Sly asked about hiking in SoCal in February.  I think February is perhaps
>> the best month to hike down here except at the highest elevations (above
>> 8000' where snow is likely to be a problem).  The days are getting long, and
>> the cool weather is much easier on the body than the heat that comes later.
>> It may rain, but it probably won't last for more than a day or so.
>> 
>> I hiked most of the SoCal PCT in a series of day and weekend hikes during
>> the winter months (November through March), and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The
>> parts I did in hiking season were much harder due to the heat and heavier
>> pack (have to carry a lot more water).  A big advantage of winter hiking for
>> those who like solitude (I do), is that you are unlikely to see anyone, even
>> near roads and trailheads.
>> 
>> And don't forget that the SoCal desert is delightful in February.  Anza
>> Borrego State Park is a hikers' paradise.  Much of the hiking there is "find
>> your own way" (few maintained trails), offering a different experience than
>> a well-trodden racetrack like the PCT.
>> 
>> Tom Bache
>> San Diego
>> 
>> 
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