[pct-l] Northern CA smoke / Etna Summit roadwalk details - Please

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

Hello from the Etna Library...

Arrived in NorCal Tuesday afternoon/evening - VERY SMOKY...  Stopped by Castle Crags/Amaratti's and gave a lift to 4 thrus to Mt. Shasta - couldn't see the mountain at all!
Much smoke from the Caribou Fire (1 of 2 in the Bear Wallow Complex) which 'blew up' late Monday and through Tuesday...
The Anthony Milne Fire (2 of 2 in Bear Wallow Complex) still burning but not expanding much - however it is only being monitored - so the PCT remains CLOSED from Etna Summit to Marble Valley...

As of 7/23/08 reports, the Milne was at 1625 acres while the Caribou was 4807 acres (and by the smoke the Caribou is still growing)...
Also as of 7/23 the Trinity Alps Wilderness area that is in Klamath NF is closed - but there was no posting at the Trail Gulch or Long Gulch trailheads late 7/24...
The PCT does go through part of that area - i.e., ~South Fork Lakes basin to Carter Meadows Summit...

I will next be going to the NE corner of the Marble Mountains WA - Boulder Creek trailhead (might be giving 2 thrus a ride to Lovers Camp IF new shoes arrive in the mail today)...

I'm printing out directions given previously, <http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2008-July/019143.html>, for Etna to Lovers Camp and will leave them at Alderbrook B&B in the Hikers Hut...

Best wishes and good luck to everyone in this very smoky area of NorCal...  Wish you could SEE this area!!
Happy trails!!!
Jim / "PITA"