[pct-l] FW: Special Notice to Wilderness Users

[James Vesely]

I was sent this last night.  

 

Jim 

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Wilderness Reservations
<WildernessReservations at yosemiteconservancy.org>
Date: Thu, Apr 26, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Subject: Special Notice to Wilderness Users
To: 



Attention backpackers,

An unprecedented wind storm on November 30, 2011 blew down thousands of
trees and caused severe damage to trail systems throughout the Sierra
Nevada mountains including sections of the Pacific Crest and John Muir
Trails. Unusually heavy damage has been found in the Reds Meadow area.
The spring opening of Reds Meadow Road will likely be postponed. Trails
around Reds Meadow, especially the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails to
the north and south of Devils Postpile National Monument are choked with
trees. In some places, blow down lies 8-10 feet high across trails for
an extended distance. Travel in these areas may be very difficult and
take considerably more time. Be aware of potential hazards, difficult
conditions, and lack of services in Reds Meadow Valley. Travelers in the
area should be prepared for no services at Reds Meadow. If you plan on
traveling in the Reds Meadow area in the early season, we recommended
you consider altering your trip to a different area or a later date. If
you still plan to hike in the area, we advise you bring additional food
and supplies as there may be no services at Reds Meadow and you may have
to spend extra days in the area.

 

The Yosemite Wilderness Office is unable to provide additional
information at this time. Updates, including photos and trail maps of
the area are provided by the Inyo National Forest on their website at
www.fs.usda.gov/inyo or by calling (760) 873-2483
<tel:%28760%29%20873-2483> . Alerts about alternate trail routes and
clean-up efforts will be posted on the website. The Pacific Crest Trail
Association is also posting updates on
http://pcta.org/planning/during_trip/current.asp as they receive
information.

Specific trails affected include the Pacific Crest and John Muir Trails
north and south of Devils Postpile, Upper Rush Creek on the PCT, Fish
Creek, Mammoth Pass Trails into Reds, the River, High and Shadow Creek
trails near Agnew Meadows. The trails in the Lake Basins including the
Duck Pass trail have several blow downs and will require clearing prior
to stock and recreational use to have complete access. In the Bishop
area, the Piute Pass trail near North Lake was also affected.

Additionally, vast areas of the Golden Trout, John Muir, Ansel Adams,
Hoover, Sequoia Kings and Yosemite Wildernesses have not been evaluated.
If hiking for extended periods of time in June or early July be prepared
for similar blow down conditions and prepare accordingly.


Yosemite Wilderness Office