[pct-l] Clover Fire Detour

[Donna "L-Rod" Saufley]

Would sure like to get the contact info for Tom and his Cyber Cafe.  It's been an absolutely wonderful thing for the hikers new this year.

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Brian Friedlander <brian.friedlander at gmail.com>
>Sent: Jun 22, 2008 9:28 PM
>To: Halfmile <halfmile at pctmap.net>
>Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net, Travis Beals <trbeals at berkeley.edu>
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Clover Fire Detour
>
>Hi all, about 9 of us are currently at Kennedy Meadows (currently e-mailing out of Tom's fantastic "cyber cafe" in an Airstream).  Just today, the Forest Service lost control of some of the fire, and it crossed the South Fork of the Kern River northeast of Kennedy Meadows. The path north to Kennedy Meadows is fine.  From what we've been told, they're letting the fire burn in the North East direction toward Haiwee Pass and are trying to keep it from going South toward Long Canyon (where many of the locals' houses are).  
>
>The PCT is closed indefinitely from Kennedy Meadows Campground north about 10mi.  You can still likely take the Jackass trail, but the first jeep road you hit at the end of that trail that can take you East back to the PCT may be closed due to the fire.  You may have to continue to a further jeep road that would extend the mileage on the re-route.  
>
>For safety purposes, we'll likely get a ride with one of the locals here around the fire area.  Just wanted to pass along some information from here.  The locals are quite worried about their homes, and we're not sure where this fire is going to go tomorrow.  But they have been super helpful and supportive of our journey!  Good luck everyone!
>
>- Bling and Strog
>
>www.trailjournals.com/westlander 
>
>On 6/22/08, Halfmile <halfmile at pctmap.net> wrote:
>> Travis,
>> Just a rough estimate based on drawing a quick route in Garmin's
>> Mapsource software; but from the bridge near Kennedy Meadows to the
>> Kern River bridge in Monache Meadows is about 21 - 22 miles via
>> Jackass Meadow, near Jackass Peak, Broder Meadow. The databook says it
>> would be 13.9 miles via the PCT, so you are looking at 7 - 8 extra
>> miles.
>>
>> I am not a wildland fire expert, and I don't really understand whats
>> going on with the Clover fire. I think initially they were going to
>> put the fire out, but then determined it was caused naturally by
>> lightning so they let it burn instead. In the last few days they
>> decided they really did needed to put it out.   This should mean they
>> get it under control pretty soon. However, fires are unpredictable and
>> with hundreds of fires being started by lightning in Northern
>> California yesterday resources might be spread thin. You never know
>> what will happen, but as L-Rod noted you should have good information
>> available when you reach Kennedy Meadows.
>>
>> If you are really uncomfortable with the fire you could start your
>> hike in the Horseshoe Meadow area and hike farther north than you
>> originally planned. The PCT-L had several emails a few days ago about
>> PCT access via Trail Pass v Cottonwood Pass.
>>
>> -Halfmile
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Jun 22, 2008 at 1:13 PM, Travis Beals <trbeals at berkeley.edu> wrote:
>>> I'm planning to start a 500 mile section hike of the PCT northbound
>>> from Walker Pass around the beginning of July. That would put me at
>>> Kennedy Meadows around July 5. Having never hiked the PCT before, I
>>> have a number of questions as to how to prepare for the Clover Fire
>>> (thanks to L-Rod and Halfmile and others who have already posted info).
>>>
>>> 1) How many miles are added by the detour routes (Jackass Trail and/or
>>> Monache Jeep Trail)? Are they significantly more challenging than the
>>> PCT in terrain, quality of trail, or availability of water?
>>>
>>> 2) Is the fire likely to prevent me from camping or re-supplying at
>>> Kennedy Meadows?
>>>
>>> 3) Given weather, fire conditions, etc, is it likely the fire would
>>> either be controlled & the trail re-opened by July 5? Alternatively,
>>> is it likely the fire would spread and cause more extensive closures/
>>> disruptions?
>>>
>>> 4) Is the situation bad enough that I should try to change my plans to
>>> avoid the Kennedy Meadows area altogether? I'm section-hiking, so I'm
>>> not as concerned about continuity, but I do care about the logistics
>>> of getting to and from the trail; I picked Walker Pass as a starting
>>> point because it's relatively easy to get to.
>>>
>>> I'm trying to get information now so that I can be prepared for any
>>> detours (e.g., maps and sufficient supplies), and so that I can notify
>>> some friends who were planning to meet me in Lone Pine when they might
>>> expect me to be there (i.e., are delays likely).
>>>
>>> -Travis
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> Pct-l at backcountry.net
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>>>
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