[pct-l] Deep creek closure... why?

[Ate Tuna]

I would love it if this were feasible. I wouldn't use a packraft though.  I
don't believe it would be maneuverable enough to navigate successfully in
those fast waters and it could be a serious problem if there were any downed
trees.  If hypothermia wasn't an issue, I would prefer to tread water down
the river floating along with my pack in a drybag.  For extra buoyancy, swap
out the down jacket for a Klymit inflatable vest that would double for a
life preserver.

...and a look at the satellite images makes it look like there are plenty of
rapids and maybe a few hairy looking falls as well.  Even if I could survive
that, which is unlikely, I'm sure I'd run out of adrenaline long before the
exit point.

On Fri, Apr 15, 2011 at 9:29 AM, David Ellzey <david at xpletive.com> wrote:

> You know, this would be an awesome place to use a Alpacka Scout packraft.
> You should be able to legally float this section from the big Deep Creek
> bridge all the way to the Mojave Dam.
>
> It would be a total pain in the ass to pick up in Big Bear, haul the extra
> 4lbs of boat and paddle up to the bridge then from the dam to Wrightwood
> only to ship home.
>
> It would be really expensive too, probably around $600 in gear plus those
> extra shipping fees.
>
> However, it would also be the most epic trail detour ever.
>
> BigToe
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Amanda L Silvestri
> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 9:05 PM
> To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Deep creek closure... why?
>
> There are two landslides and a bridge that is out in the canyon.  I stopped
> in at the Lake Arrowhead Ranger District Offices where I was shown an e-mail
> from the crew leader that went out there.  It said one of the slides is too
> large for a crew with hand tools to do anything about and that it would be
> necessary to bring in heavy equipment.  Not having been to the slide, I
> don't know how difficult or even safe it would be to traverse it.
>
> However, I have a book of trails in the San Bernardino Mountains and it
> indicates a trail leading off the detour to the hot springs.  It is six
> miles each way plus the elevation loss and gain of several hundred feet.
> The trail is supposed to branch off of 3N34 just south of Willow Creek (the
> biggest one you will cross on the detour) and follows it down to the
> canyon.  The person at the information desk was not familiar with this trail
> and does not believed to be maintained.
>
> However, she then told me about another trail that also branches off of the
> detour from HWY 73 a couple of miles after you join it from 3N34.  This
> trail (which is not in my trail book) is before the highway closure and
> follows Kenley Creek.  It also would be about six miles each way with a
> substantial climb down and again back up.
>
> The Hot Springs can also be accessed from the other side of the canyon via
> the Bowen Ranch but this would require a car shuttle.
>
> One thing you might want to keep in mind, is as that section is closed, if
> you should hike it anyway and slip, fall and become injured down there,
> there won't other hikers, a ranger or anyone else to go for help.  As it is
> a deep canyon there is no cell service in there either.  Just something to
> include in you deliberations.
>
> Shepherd
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