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

[rbelshee@hotmail.com]

Yep, deal with it. You will likely be climbing over and through log piles.

Two implications when I last encountered something like this:

1) pace drops way down.  I only made about 0.5 mph scrambling over logs piled 6-8 felt high.  Allow for uncertainty in the time to get through (eg your food plan, and the date on which someone back home calls search and rescue)
2) odds of an injury go up as you scampered.  It's good to be in a group and talk through your plan if some twist a knee or something.

Steady Sr




----- Reply message -----
From: "Sir Mixalot" <atetuna at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 30, 2012 11:29 am
Subject: [pct-l] FW: Special Notice to Wilderness Users
To: "Lauren Egert" <laurenegert at yahoo.com>
Cc: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>


You just deal with it.  Blow downs happen every year.  It's a big deal for
riders, but not that big of a deal for hikers.  The rough part for everyone
is that it may close or delay the opening of Reds Meadow.

Horse packers will be a big part of getting the trail clear again as
they'll be needed to carry in all the heavy hand tools required to move all
those trees, along with food and supplies for trail crews.  Your PCTA
donations help pay for maintaining the trail we hike on.

On Sun, Apr 29, 2012 at 9:39 PM, Lauren Egert <laurenegert at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hello,
> I was wondering if anyone had heard of this closure already and had
> planned for it?  I guess in terms of were people thinking they would just
> route find through the area? or have to come out and avoid that area
> entirely? or by the time you get to it are you thinking it will be more
> cleared out and easier to navigate?  As of now it sounds pretty difficult
> to try to hike through...
>
> My brother started out last week, I'll be meeting up with him at Sonora
> Pass, but wanted to give him a heads up with as much info as possible about
> this.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Lauren
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: James Vesely <JVesely at edmsupply.com>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 5:43 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] FW: Special Notice to Wilderness Users
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
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