[pct-l] Forest Closures

[kdpo@pacbell.net (Ken & Marcia Powers)]

When we hiked the CDT this summer there were 3 closed forests in New Mexico
n June. We had to road walk around Carson and Santa Fe NF, but the ranger in
charge of Cebolla NF had a different idea that may be used here. He chose a
jeep road route ( not the real CDT but still in the NF) and wrote special
permits for CDT through hikers only. Conditions were no fires or a safety
rated stove only, a specific route, stay within 100 feet of the route at all
times, and a limited time that was probably about a 20 mile/day pace. No
water was on this route so he arranged for a Trail Angel to cache water.

The ranger  had been in charge of a closed forest a few years earlier and a
hiker was spotted in the closed forest by a 'copter. When the hiker was
stopped he was offered a ride out of the forest but chose the fine so he
could have an unbroken hike. Thus, the ranger was aware of hiker mentality
and decided to work with rather than against hikers. The ranger also got to
accurately count the number of through CDT hikers this year.

Perhaps PCTA or somebody can negotiate a similar special permit for the
remaining SoBo PCT hikers?


----- Original Message -----
From: <dsaufley@sprynet.com>
To: "Vic L Hanson" <vichanson@juno.com>
Cc: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>; <brick@fastpack.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 9:13 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Forest Closures


> Vic,
>
> The information you have on Cleveland below is correct. I went back to my
> source (Todd, the volunteer at North Fork Ranger Station) and he indicates
> that the inside word is that the Cleveland NF has an even more extreme
fire
> hazard condition than Angeles and San Bernardino, and that the closure of
the
> Cleveland is anticipated. We'll see what comes out of their meeting, but
until
> further word Cleveland is still open.
>
> Interestingly, the NF is bringing in patrols from all over; Todd
encountered a
> ranger patrol from Arizona in the Angeles.  They shared that NF closures
are
> occurring in AZ as well.
>
> As for any hikes, I suspect your best bet will be to check with the local
> authorities before setting out. The price for being where they don't want
you
> is awfully steep.
>
> Wish I had better news to share.
>
> -=Donna Saufley=-
>
> On Mon, 7 Oct 2002 21:09:09 -0700 Vic L Hanson <vichanson@juno.com> wrote:
>
> > Thanks for the info Donna. Do you know when
> > they closed Cleveland? I just
> > called the Trabuco office this morning and they
> > said that it was still
> > open, at least the Holy Jim in Orange County.
> > I'm wondering if it is just
> > the San Diego area of it? The lady I talked to
> > said they are expecting to
> > have a meeting this week, maybe Wednesday, to
> > consider closing it.
> >
> > I have been trying to plan a backpacking trip
> > for this weekend and was
> > considering switching to the Los Padres NF but
> > am not familiar with that
> > area at all. Does anyone have anything to
> > recommend there, assuming it is
> > still open this weekend?
> >
> > Had to go back to the Santa Monica Mtn. a week
> > ago to get some hiking in,
> > went to the Verdugo Mtn. tonight. Strangely
> > enough, that is part of the
> > Santa Monica Conservancy. It was a beautiful
> > twilight hike, after a hot
> > day in Hollywood.
> >
> > Vic
> >
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PCT-L mailing list
> PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l