[pct-l] CA precipitation to date

[Jay Bruins]

Note that starting in 2017, CNF limits wilderness permits each season from March 1st to May 15 for the section between the border and Mt Laguna to 5 persons per day (not counting PCT long distance permits). They are specifically trying to limit the impact of PCT hikers in this area.

Details here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/cleveland/home/?cid=FSEPRD488307

They do, however, point out that if you could do the 20 miles to Lake Morena followed by 22 miles to Mount Laguna, you could avoid this permit by staying in designated campgrounds and/or the motel. I don’t believe Burnt Rancheria is open until 2018–04-13, however.

Happy hiking,
Armstrong

>> On Mar 16, 2018, at 8:02 PM, Brick Robbins <brick at brickrobbins.com> wrote:
>> 
>> On Fri, Mar 16, 2018 at 5:35 PM, Jeffrey Olson <jjolson58 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I bit - some interpretation of "why" it's interesting...  Not trying to be
>> snarky, just interested in what you see...
> 
> Norcal is running ~50-70% of normal
> 
> SoCal is running ~30% of normal
> 
> Early start would be a good thing this year, to avoid (as much as
> possible) water problems in the south. Early entry into the Sierra
> will be possible too.
> 
> For people thinking that they are "locked in" to a start date due to
> their permit, remember that PCTA permits are NOT required to hike the
> trail. If you want to start early, you can do so legally.
> 
> The only place were you need a wilderness permit south of the Sierra
> is in the San Jacinto area. Due to the trail closure in that area
> https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/trail-condition/pct-closed-on-mt-san-jacinto/
> It is easy and convenient to get a "walk up" wilderness permit at the
> ranger station in Idyllwild since you are going to road walk there
> anyway, to rejoin the trail.
> 
> By the time you get to where you need permits (in SEKI and north) your
> PCTA permit should be within its validity dates.
> 
> Technically you also need a dispersed camping permit in Cleveland NF
> if you are not going to stay in campgrounds, but I have never seen
> that enforced, and few people even know about the very old
> requirement. In many years of dispersed camping in CNF, I have never
> been asked for one. If you really want, you can get the permit at the
> Cleveland NF ranger station in Alpine (if the person at the desk even
> knows what you are talking about when you ask for it)
> 
> Here is the 1992 forest order mandating this permit. It took me a lot
> of effort to get this scan.
> http://www.brickrobbins.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DescansoRD.pdf
> 
> Oh, by the way, if you are going to get "all legal" on me, it is also
> illegal to camp outside of campgrounds in the Laguna Mtn Recreation
> Area. So technically it is illegal to camp along the PCT  from Burnt
> Ranchero (mile 41) to Pioneer mail (mile 53)
> http://lmva.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Lagunajpeg.jpg
> 
> HYOH LNT Keep Safe
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