[pct-l] Hiking in Southern California

Fri Nov 2 15:06:30 CDT 2007

Donna,

Well, maybe that is just another difference between LA and laid-back San
Diego counties :>).

Seriously, this seems to be an interesting discussion with PCT relevance --
I hope others will chime in with what they see in their part of the
southland.

BTW: Most of SD county has been turned into a big firebreak for the next
decade or two, but there remain some big areas that haven't burned for a
long time.  The area north and northeast of Warner Springs is one of them.
As a share owner in the Warner Springs Resort, I worry about that every time
the Santa Ana winds blow.

Tom Bache

On 11/2/07 12:54 PM, "Donna "L-Rod" Saufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com> wrote:

> I am very surprised to hear that the Warner Springs CDF firefighters were not
> emphatic about the trail closure.  Use is limited to highways, and then only
> for thru-traffic, not parking an d hanging about.  According to Todd (the
> volunteer at North Fork Ranger Station in the San Gabriels), in the Angeles NF
> they have brought in National Park Police to assist in enforcing the closure.
> Several arrests have been made, though they are generally limited to those who
> are belligerent and uncooperative about leaving the forest.
> 
> L-Rod
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Tom Bache <tbache at san.rr.com>
>> Sent: Nov 2, 2007 11:14 AM
>> To: asabat at 4jeffrey.net, lafferty1 at yahoo.com, "pct-l at backcountry.net"
>> <pct-l at backcountry.net>, Slyatpct at aol.com
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Hiking in Southern California
>> 
>> On 11/2/07 10:34 AM, "asabat at 4jeffrey.net" <asabat at 4jeffrey.net> wrote:
>> 
>>> Check before you go. Heading north from WS puts you in the Cleveland NF
>>> which
>>> is closed. The first 8 miles south is Vista Irrigation District land -
>>> status
>>> unknown but I know they're worried about fires in their watershed. Further
>>> south is BLM land which is also closed.
>> 
>> Bill,
>> 
>> That may be so, but no one would know unless very well-informed people tell
>> them.  You know everything that follows, but I'll write it for those from
>> elsewhere who aren't so familiar with the situation down here.  There is a
>> CDF fire station in Warner Springs, and I chat with various folks at the
>> resort with connections to the CDF or other fire-fighting agencies.  None of
>> them suggested that there was anything wrong with hiking or riding in the
>> national forest land north of the resort -- and I saw some headed out that
>> way on their horses.
>> 
>> You might ask, "what's the point?"  Good question, because I'm not sure.
>> Maybe it is that the purpose of these forest and trail closures is to
>> reinforce the message that we are in a very, very dangerous fire season.  I
>> haven't seen any concern about enforcing the closures or even publicizing
>> them beyond issuing press releases.  This is based on what I saw near Warner
>> Springs last weekend when the fires were still raging.  I'd be surprised if
>> it has changed or is much different elsewhere, but I live to be surprised!
>> 
>> A somewhat related point -- in the recent fires our San Diego County
>> authorities almost certainly saved lives by being very, very cautious in
>> their evacuation orders.  As an example, I have friends who were in the
>> evacuation area this time (the fire never got within 5 miles), but were not
>> in the evacuation area in 2003 (the fire burned hundreds of homes within 1-2
>> miles).   This time most of the people (and there are many) who ignored the
>> evacuation orders  are no doubt happy (perhaps smug) that they did so.  This
>> is well-known, so it is a safe bet that many more people will ignore the
>> evacuation orders next time, and a few will pay dearly for it. And so the
>> pendulum swings -- excess caution, too little caution.
>> 
>> Of course, it is foolish and very anti-social to hike in an area known to be
>> closed due to fire danger or anything else.   Perhaps it turns on the
>> meaning of "know."  But I shouldn't be flippant about the fire danger -- it
>> is obviously very real -- I keep an eye out for smoke upwind, and I wouldn't
>> go very far from the means for a fast escape if I felt a strong wind from
>> the east.  
>> 
>> Tom Bache
>> San Diego
>> 
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>  
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Tom Bache <tbache at san.rr.com>
>>> 
>>> Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2007 09:58:47
>>> To:<lafferty1 at yahoo.com>, "pct-l at backcountry.net"
>>> <pct-l at backcountry.net>,<Slyatpct at aol.com>
>>> Subject: [pct-l] Hiking in Southern California
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Karen asked about day hiking in SoCal this weekend.  Everything seems to be
>>> fine near Warner Springs -- and the hiking possibilities are endless in that
>>> area (it is close to Anza Borrego State Park).
>>> 
>>> I did two day hikes from Warner Springs last weekend while the fires were
>>> still burning to the west.  If any hiking areas were officially closed
>>> (maybe they were), it would be news to the people who live and work there.
>>> The air and sky were clear, and the temperature was ideal (about 70).  You
>>> can go north or south on the PCT from Warner Springs, and there are ways to
>>> do loops instead of out-and-back (contact me off-line if you want some
>>> tips).  If you have a way to organize a car shuttle, Chihuahua Valley Road
>>> to Warner Springs is one of my favorite day hikes -- it is nicely
>>> supplemented by climbing 6193' Combs Peak before going south to Warner
>>> Springs. 
>>> 
>>> Sly asked about hiking in SoCal in February.  I think February is perhaps
>>> the best month to hike down here except at the highest elevations (above
>>> 8000' where snow is likely to be a problem).  The days are getting long, and
>>> the cool weather is much easier on the body than the heat that comes later.
>>> It may rain, but it probably won't last for more than a day or so.
>>> 
>>> I hiked most of the SoCal PCT in a series of day and weekend hikes during
>>> the winter months (November through March), and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The
>>> parts I did in hiking season were much harder due to the heat and heavier
>>> pack (have to carry a lot more water).  A big advantage of winter hiking for
>>> those who like solitude (I do), is that you are unlikely to see anyone, even
>>> near roads and trailheads.
>>> 
>>> And don't forget that the SoCal desert is delightful in February.  Anza
>>> Borrego State Park is a hikers' paradise.  Much of the hiking there is "find
>>> your own way" (few maintained trails), offering a different experience than
>>> a well-trodden racetrack like the PCT.
>>> 
>>> Tom Bache
>>> San Diego
>>> 
>>> 
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