[pct-l] SoCal closures

[Dan Welch]

I don't have any updates from the Forest Service on the Mountain Fire Closure and don't expect any.  My last communication with them was pretty definitive.  They said the trail will be closed beyond the Cedar Springs trail for 2014.

As far as alternates, since I am thru hiking I plan to walk around it rather than hitchhike.  The path along Highway 74 as far as Lake Hemet looks quite easy.  There are dirt roads and/or ATV tracks on the Southwest side of 74 all the way to within 1/3 mile of the lake.  From there the road walk looks safe to the lake - flat and unobstructed.    At the lake is a campground with water for re-supply.  

The road beyond Lake Hemet is reported to be very dangerous, particularly the section of Highway 243.  I can't remember the source but what I heard was "many high speed vehicles, zero shoulder, windy mountainous turns, and large drop offs."  Not for me...

I'll take my chances orienteering with the track Hikin' Jim laid out.  That looks like the best route to me.  I printed up a few sheets of maps for that section and see how it turns out!

Timberline 

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Kevin Taylor
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 7:51 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] SoCal closures

Below is an update from Feb. 19, along with possible alternate routes to Idyllwild.  Maybe Timberline and Hikin' Jim will have another update soon.

Dan Welch welchenergy at gmail.com
Wed Feb 19 16:52:56 CST 2014
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 << I've been chatting with a friend in Idylwild and she thinks there might be a way to bypass some road walking by cutting off of 74 at Hurkey Creek and taking a trail north from there to May Road which one could either walk till you get to Idylwild or possibly take the South Ridge trail to the PCT and over to Saddle Junction and down to Hummer Park. Or take May Valley road to the southern part of the South Ridge trail and hop off at the South Ridge trailhead and then hike neighborhood roads into Idylwild. Anyone else have knowledge of these options or if the FS map we are looking at is way off base?>>


I have been in touch with Andrew Smith who is the lead person at the USFS for figuring this out.  He has been working in coordination with PCTA to evaluate alternate routes.  His last email to me on Feb 4th (copied below) was pretty clear that May Valley Road would not be open this season for thru hiking.

Hikin' Jim has posted what I consider to be the best alternate at:
http://caltopo.com/map?id=7S5F

This Caltopo map is interactive so you can change the zoom, change from satellite to topo view, etc.  Note that the red routes are closed.  Also, the yellow route along 74 is almost entirely off to the side of 74, not on the roadway.  

If other folks have other ideas, please jump in!

Timberline 

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