Which trails are "functional" in the Tahquitz and Willow Creek Drainages?
EDIT: I think I've been able to answer my questions using the San Jac Jon/Trail Report website. However, personal insight and experience are always appreciated.
Willow Creek Trail, 3E02
Last I was over there, the Willow Creek Trail was more or less passible and followable from Saddle Junction up and over Hidden Lake Divide (and then going on to Long Valley and the tram). Is this still the case?
The Willow Creek Trail sounds reasonably passible but probably not in pre-Mountain Fire condition (which it may never be in such good condition again).
Caramba Trail, 3E04
However, last time I was there, the Caramba Trail was just plain gone. You couldn't see anything in the dirt to follow. Has it been restored? Is it fairly easy to follow now or is it a faint track? I'm mainly interested in the section from Saddle Junction to Laws Camp, but if it were open from Laws down to Caramba Camp, I'd like to know that. I haven't been down to Caramba in a long time.
The section from east of the four way junction in Tahquitz Meadow over to Laws Camp is gone. The section from Laws to Caramba is passible but is now essentially just a cross country route; it's no longer a followable trail.
Laws Trail, 3E16 (connects the Caramba Trail to the Willow Creek Trail)
The Laws Trail was also just plain gone last I was there. You couldn't see anything in the dirt to follow. Has it been restored? Is it fairly easy to follow now or is it a faint track?
The Laws Trail has been abandoned and is no longer passible. There is an unofficial use trail that starts on the Willow Creek Trail about 1 mile past Saddle Junction that proceeds fairly directly to Laws Camp.
Presumably the PCT is fully open and followable or the through hikers would be making noise, but how about the "short cut" (3E41) from the PCT through Tahquitz Meadow to Saddle Junction? Is this open?
I was not able to get any information on the "short cut" trail, but it is most likely open given its proximity to Saddle Junction and the PCT.
HJ