[pct-l] Re: Silverwood Lake

[mardav at charter.net (Marion Davison)]

A crew worked on the detour at Silverwood Lake on March 5-6. 
It was deemed not possible to repair the existing trail this year 
between Cleghorn Ridge and the Lake Inlet, so a temporary re-route was 
constructed on an old dirt road.  The high water in the Mojave River has 
wiped out the trail and some roadway near the overpass, and the highway 
exits into the park have been closed for a couple months due to the high 
runoff and the huge deposition of silt in the area.
The temporary reroute is signed and ready for this years' hikers.  After 
crossing under the highway overpass, you walk up the park road, past the 
Ranger Station and group camp.  You turn right and climb a very steep 
paved road that leads to a water tank, then continue on the dirt road to 
meet the trail near Cleghorn Ridge.  This cuts off at least a mile of 
PCT, but avoids the slideouts and damaged areas.  The temp route is 
steep in places but scenic.
The trail is open and clear from 173, past the dam, to the overpass.  
There is tread damage and significant road damage near the overpass, but 
our livestock handled the whole route without a problem,  and  we 
cleared all the brush obstacles between 173 and 138, along the lakeshore.
llamalady