[pct-l] Clover Fire Detour

[Donna "L-Rod" Saufley]

To date, there is nothing official to impede your arrival northbound from Walker Pass to Kennedy Meadows.  The Clover Fire is north of Kennedy Meadows.  I know nothing about the Monache Jeep or Jackass trails, other than they go around the existing fire footprint and wind up at the PCT north somewhere in Monache Meadows.  If you plan to continue north from Kennedy Meadows, you really have no choice at this time except to take either alternate.  

Mr. Mumbles did this section last weekend, when they were allowed to hike through the fire on the PCT, and made it through just fine. The conditions and access has been getting updated daily, and it is difficult to predict exactly how the fire and weather will behave.  You will be able to get updated fire information at Kennedy Meadows. 

L-Rod 

-----Original Message-----
>From: Travis Beals <trbeals at berkeley.edu>
>Sent: Jun 22, 2008 4:13 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Clover Fire Detour
>
>I'm planning to start a 500 mile section hike of the PCT northbound  
>from Walker Pass around the beginning of July. That would put me at  
>Kennedy Meadows around July 5. Having never hiked the PCT before, I  
>have a number of questions as to how to prepare for the Clover Fire  
>(thanks to L-Rod and Halfmile and others who have already posted info).
>
>1) How many miles are added by the detour routes (Jackass Trail and/or  
>Monache Jeep Trail)? Are they significantly more challenging than the  
>PCT in terrain, quality of trail, or availability of water?
>
>2) Is the fire likely to prevent me from camping or re-supplying at  
>Kennedy Meadows?
>
>3) Given weather, fire conditions, etc, is it likely the fire would  
>either be controlled & the trail re-opened by July 5? Alternatively,  
>is it likely the fire would spread and cause more extensive closures/ 
>disruptions?
>
>4) Is the situation bad enough that I should try to change my plans to  
>avoid the Kennedy Meadows area altogether? I'm section-hiking, so I'm  
>not as concerned about continuity, but I do care about the logistics  
>of getting to and from the trail; I picked Walker Pass as a starting  
>point because it's relatively easy to get to.
>
>I'm trying to get information now so that I can be prepared for any  
>detours (e.g., maps and sufficient supplies), and so that I can notify  
>some friends who were planning to meet me in Lone Pine when they might  
>expect me to be there (i.e., are delays likely).
>
>-Travis
>
>_______________________________________________
>Pct-l mailing list
>Pct-l at backcountry.net
>http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l