Pristine Trail

[Ed]

Friday I hiked San Jacinto from Humber Park. I am one of those types who complain frequently and loudly about litter. So I would like to mention how clean the trail was. On the way up the Devil's Slide section, for example, I found only one cigarette butt and one or two small scraps of tissue paper. Even above Wellman's Divide, there were only a few pieces of tissue paper and some rubber sole fragments.

Perhaps my eyesight is failing, but I don't think so: I scored an old rusty brown sardine can in the Saddle Junction area that must have been there for decades. So either the trail has been cleaned up recently, or hikers have been very good.

I was also struck by how well laid-out and built this trail is. I hiked it for the first time in 1970, and perhaps six or eight times since. There is scarcely any of the deterioration you find on many other trails.

I'm baffled by the trail closure signs at Saddle Junction. Why would trails through a burned area be closed a year after the fire? Does anyone know?

[OldnSlow]

I asked about the trail closures on my Saturday hike. What I was told that between the fire and the rains which followed (and helped put out the last bits of fire) there are NO trails in many cases to reopen. I was told this was especially true for the PCT from the 74 to Red Tahquitz.

In other cases, they may be allowing re-vegetation to grow unhampered.

[climbant]

In my experience the trails in the San Jac Wilderness are for the most part litter free. Great job to those that respect the land. Some of the state campgrounds (LRV/RV/Strawberry) on the other hand, . Speaking with several rangers, and friends that worked the fire it's all pretty destroyed, the mountain fire was very destructive. Wouldn't be surprised if the pct gets a re route.

[zippetydude]

Hi Ed. I had the same question you do, so I asked at the ranger station. The ranger first mentioned that it was a federal crime to go into closed of areas, then mentioned it a few more times as we spoke. I think they're told to say that, but it sure seems like overkill, sort of like if a regular guy kept telling me he'd kick my a$$ if I did something he didn't like. No need to act that way. Again, I am not indicting this one ranger, he was a nice guy. Just kinda over-the-top language that they seem to be required to use.

Anyway, back to your question. He said they're cautious of snags (trees killed by the fire that are still standing and can potentially fall and hurt someone) and that the trail is largely gone. To me, if they just put out a call for a bunch of volunteers to get up there with ropes and shovels and had a couple "professionals" handle the felling of the snags, the whole thing could be handled this summer and we'd all have a great time working together. However, being a government agency (don't get me started!) the ranger told me he has heard 2-3 more years at the earliest, and 5 years being pretty much what they expect.

I think that's kinda ridiculous when, left on our own, we'd probably fix the problem with a weekend working/camping trip with volunteers and no one would get hurt in the process. We're not idiots and would that be a ton of fun! So, there you have it. 5 years.

z

[Ed]

Thanks to everyone for the information. I think the FS may be in for some serious pressure from the PCT people, if they really plan to keep that section of the trail closed through the next PCT season, let alone 5 years.

[Hikin_Jim]

The FS opened up May Valley Road to foot traffic -- after the PCT hikers had already passed through. Nice timing, FS. Way to show you care.

May Valley Road allows one to minimize the road walk from Paradise Corner and connect up to Idyllwild and the S. Ridge Trail.

HJ

[some guy]

There used to be a sign when entering Idyllwild which proclaimed it to be "America's Cleanest Forest". I'm not sure how they achieved that distinction, but for the most part I'd agree that I rarely notice any trash on the mountain trails. Apparently the same doesn't hold true for Skyline.

As for the closure, it's already been mentioned, but a lot of the trails are in really bad shape. The erosion is especially bad at stream crossings and along steep slopes. Those heavy rain storms last summer did some serious damage. I think it'd be much for a rag-tag group of volunteers to (properly) fix.

[cynthia23]

I agree. I know someone who illegally ventured into the closed area. He said it was extremely hazardous, and later he became quite ill (for weeks) from all the ash he stirred up and breathed in. This was a huge, intense fire. I love Zip's energy and desire to help, and I'm all for volunteerism, but in this case, I think time (and professionals with respirators) are the only things that will repair the PCT.

[Hikin_Jim]

...and professionals with respirators...

I think it's way to late to apply CPR to the trail, Cynthia. Just sayin'.

HJ

[cynthia23]

Score one, HJ!