by zippetydude » Sun Sep 10, 2017 9:43 pm
Unfortunately, pkirkham, you are absolutely 100% correct. The SGWA started repairing the trails shortly after the fire, and when the Forest Service re-opened the San Gorgonio WIlderness a few weeks ago I started going up every weekend, sometimes both Saturday and Sunday. The trails are stable, the trees - even the dead ones, and there are millions of them - are stable, and the public is again allowed into their own property to enjoy watching the wilderness rebound from the fire and as it begins to establish a new state of being. It is a wondrous time, not a dangerous time, and I cannot think of any legitimate reason to keep the closure in effect over here on San J. By the way, let me be very clear on one point...I do not in any way question the regular rangers who work the land. These men and women do a great job, have a great attitude, every interaction I have had with them has been nothing but positive...and they are not the ones who are making the decisions. The people in charge of the budgets have probably never even ventured into the forests with you and me and the rangers, and they may well be making the decisions. Or, it could be legal counsel telling them not to re-open for fear of law suits if someone is injured or killed by a falling snag. Probably there are no bad guys here, only cautious people. But c'mon, it's time to take down the barrier tapes and let us outdoors people go about our business!
z