Cinco Poses trail?

[Ulysses]

So I'm on Caltopo and I notice the "Cinco Poses" trail heading north off Hwy 243 between Lake Fulmor and Black Mountain trail. Looks like it joins up with the Black Mountain trail at about 6,500 ft. I've driven by this spot many times, and I think I know where the turnout is, but didn't realize there is a trail there. Or is there? Anybody know anything about this trail?

[Wildhorse]

My understanding from those around longer than me is that the forest service closed that trail many years ago. Of course, it is still there, probably maintained to some extent by "volunteers." Some start at Lake Fulmore and walk up the left side of the lake, then through an open area to pick up the trail. It does connect with the Black Mountain Trail, I think about half way up.

It is not a very interesting trail, but parking at the lake is, in some ways, better than parking at the Black Mountain trailhead, and the lake is nice place to stop on the way back to the car.

[Ulysses]

Interesting. Thanks for the reply. I don't recall seeing a trail from Lake Fulmor, but I wasn't looking either.

[Hikin_Jim]

I can see large stretches of the trail on a satellite photo. The lower part of the trail coming off of Hwy 243 is a dirt road. That portion shows up clearly on sat photos. The upper portion, not so much, but I can see portions of it.

HJ

[Wildhorse]

What has happened is that the Cinco Poses has basically reopened itself as a social trail. People park at the lake and then pick up the Cinco Poses trail about one fourth to one half mile from the road, is my guess on the distance. Even if you start at the highway, I think you would come to the open area and need to find the trail again across that open area. I think that the open area may have been cleared as part of fire abatement. I don't think the trail exists anymore until past that open area, unless there is a short segment just off the highway.

I wrote before that this trail is not interesting, but relative to the beginning of the Black Mountain Trail, it is interesting enough.

[Hikin_Jim]

It might be a nice alternative for those of us with just passenger sedans to Black Mountain Road. Last I heard Black Mountain Road was pretty chewed up, yes? I'm itching to do Fuller Ridge.

HJ