[pct-l] Clover Fire Detour

[Halfmile]

Travis,
Just a rough estimate based on drawing a quick route in Garmin's
Mapsource software; but from the bridge near Kennedy Meadows to the
Kern River bridge in Monache Meadows is about 21 - 22 miles via
Jackass Meadow, near Jackass Peak, Broder Meadow. The databook says it
would be 13.9 miles via the PCT, so you are looking at 7 - 8 extra
miles.

I am not a wildland fire expert, and I don't really understand whats
going on with the Clover fire. I think initially they were going to
put the fire out, but then determined it was caused naturally by
lightning so they let it burn instead. In the last few days they
decided they really did needed to put it out.   This should mean they
get it under control pretty soon. However, fires are unpredictable and
with hundreds of fires being started by lightning in Northern
California yesterday resources might be spread thin. You never know
what will happen, but as L-Rod noted you should have good information
available when you reach Kennedy Meadows.

If you are really uncomfortable with the fire you could start your
hike in the Horseshoe Meadow area and hike farther north than you
originally planned. The PCT-L had several emails a few days ago about
PCT access via Trail Pass v Cottonwood Pass.

-Halfmile






On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 1:13 PM, Travis Beals <trbeals at berkeley.edu> wrote:
> 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
>
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