[pct-l] Swarthout Canyon

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

> ...where will the hikers be "re-routed" to this season?

There is no detailed description of a temporary reroute provided as yet - only a simplified
"Through hikers can use State Route 138 as an alternate." - as seen on
<http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/conditions/index.shtml> (scroll down to "Front Country
Ranger District"...  At the moment the 'reroute' appears to be Hwy. 138, then Hwy. 2 to
Wrightwood...  Whether the SBNF authorities and the PCTA can agree upon another viable
temporary route is still undetermined - but the PCTA is still working on it!

Digging through the SBNF Forest Orders the latest one regarding the Sheep Fire area (10-1)
states "This order is effective...through October 10, 2010." - so for the time being, it
seems the PCT will be closed from I-15 to the western SBNF boundary for the 2010 season.
See <http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/about/forder1001.shtml> and a slightly better map
at <http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/documents/forder1001_closure_map.pdf>...
Hopefully the SBNF will, at the minimum, open the short stretch (~ 1/2 mile) of PCT from the
Acorn Trail to the western SBNF boundary - then thrus could be back 'on-trail' again until 
Islip Saddle in Angeles NF, the next closure area (Station Fire)...  Many are also awaiting 
word about the Station Fire reroute - the PCTA is working on that, too...

The thrus will make it to Wrightwood - it has a good reputation as being very hiker friendly, 
especially because of the trail angels in the area such as yourself (Thank you!!)...   ;-)

Happy trails!!!
Jim (PITA)

----- Susan Goodwin <photosusan1 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Of course that was NOT our intention.....where will the hikers be "re-routed" to this season?
> 
> 
>  
> > Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2010 05:26:01 +0000
> > From: enyapjr at comcast.net
> > To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> > CC: photosusan1 at hotmail.com
> > Subject: [pct-l] Swarthout Canyon
> > 
> > > Just a quick note to let you know that the water cash (shelter) at Swarthout 
> > > Canyon (near I-15 approaching Wrightwood) is FULLY stocked and will remain 
> > > that way this year...
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > ...the Swarthout Canyon Cache. That’s a useful location, and I’ve
> > > greatly enjoyed topping-up both me and my canteens there, in spite of the
> > > resident mice and the fact that its precariously perched squarely atop the
> > > infamous San Andreas Rift Zone. The cache should see lots of visitors soon.
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> > With all due respect...
> > Per the San Bernardino NF website (and also PCTA) the PCT is still CLOSED from I-15
> > to the western SBNF boundary... No official announcement has been made yet (that
> > I'm aware of) regarding a temporary reroute or whether the PCT will be 'open' at all
> > in the Sheep Fire area for the 2010 season...
> > Unfortunately, at the moment, all you are doing is encouraging hikers to illegally 
> > enter a closed area - not a good idea at this time, though I'm sure that is not your 
> > intention whatsoever ...
> > See SBNF <http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/documents/forder0906.pdf> and PCTA
> > <http://www.pcta.org/planning/during_trip/Trail_con_SC.asp?sect=D>, the 2/11/2010 entry...
> > 
> > Happy trails!!!
> > Jim (PITA)
> > 
> > 
> > Support the Pacific Crest Trail Association and its mission:
> > Protect, preserve, and promote the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail...
> > Join, renew, or donate today: <http://www.pcta.org/>
> > 
> > "Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul." - Edward Abbey
>  		 	   		  
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