Devil's Slide to Mt. San Jacinto Summit

[Java_joe]

Does anyone have updated trail closure info on hiking to Mt. San Jacinto Summit via the Devil's Slide trail ? Specifically, I think it's the trail from Saddle Jct to Wellman's Divide that is/was closed. And if it is still closed what's a good plan B?

[Hikin_Jim]

It's open.

HJ

[OldnSlow]

Woo Hoo!

[sdtrackrunner]

Uh, negative. I just hiked up to wellman's divide today and there's a "trail closure" sign for "1 mile south" at the state park boundary. Looks like you can get to the PCT-north junction, but still not to devil's slide from wellman's. Bummer.

[Hikin_Jim]

The updated USFS closure order shows the section of the PCT from Saddle Junction North to where it cuts off the ridge going up to Wellmans Cienega and Wellman Divide as open.



HJ

[sdtrackrunner]

I can definitely see that interpretation. One could also interpret that the trail forms the northwestern boundary of the closure and is also closed. I guess they either forgot to draw the purple "closed trail" line on the map or the signs out in the wild are outdated. Might be a safer assumption to go with the map not being 100%. Either way, not very clear communication by USFS.

[Hikin_Jim]

The trail is completely unaffected by the Mtn Fire. I wouldn't feel the least bit guilty about taking the trail. I'd just take a copy of the closure order along. They can't really fine you or anything if their own order shows the trail open.

Interestingly, the sign your referring to is in the state park. I could just be a case of state - federal miscommunication.

HJ

[Art]

The trail from Saddle Junction to Wellman's Divide (and beyond) is definitely open. The USFS office will confirm this. When I was near Wellman's Divide in mid-November, a state park volunteer gave me the same misinformation. As Jim suggests, the state and feds are not communicating. You will see no closure signs at the USFS boundary.

[Hikin_Jim]

If you look at the text of the order, it's pretty clear from the way that it's written that the PCT is NOT closed:

The Mountain Fire Closure Area boundary begins at the intersection of the northern boundary of the San Bernardino National Forest and the Southern Boundary of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), Section 33, Township 4 South, Range 3 East, San Bernardino Meridian and Baseline, then continues south paralleling the PCT 100 feet to the east...

HJ

P.S. Complete links re Closure Order 13 - 18.

[Lizandrob]

Hi there. Are there still trail closures in effect? We were hoping to head up to the peak from Humber Park tomorrow. We like the Devil's Slide Trail.