Hiking/Snowshoeing/Cross-Country Skiing

[Toolman]

Fight On,
 There are a few radios that are water resistant. One of my partners fell into a stream last year during a Big Horn count with the DFG and fell into a stream totally submerged. Cell phone in the pocket=died Ham radio= survived.

 I own several HT's and prefer my Kenwood three band radio that goes on patrol with me and on hikes. It isn't much bigger than my cell phone, in fact I use the same carry pouch.

 There is no fee to use open Ham radio repeaters once you get your license / callsign. There are private club organizations that have linked repeater systems and often charge a fee.

 
I commute to the flat lands on my road bike and allways carry an HT in the tank bag. If I have a problem or I happen upon another rider down or in trouble there are repeaters I have programmed I can hit along the Angeles Forest. There is no voice mail, but there is a paging capabilty....never used it...probably never will. All of them scan frequencies in your memory channels you program yourself. All programming can be done with software for the radio. I prefere not to use the software, but to learn the radios keypad functions and menu features. This way you'll know how to operate the radio on the fly and not rely on software.

 This is sort of moving away from the Hiking thread so maybe move your Ham questions into the Ham Radio section of the forum and you'll get all your questions answered.

[FIGHT ON]

Thanks.

[Domingo]

I was a bit shocked and dismayed to find today that there was a official notification on the sign at the beginning of the Blue Ridge trail saying that until further notice the Angeles National Forest is closed off and no one can enter it to hike, backpack, run, bike, picnic, etc.  I wonder if they have such a sign at the beginning of Acorn and the other trails in town.  For me not being able to hike is painful.  Does anyone have any inside information or further clarification about this restriction?

[Bob C]

Here's the order: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/orders/

[FIGHT ON]

I was a bit shocked and dismayed to find today that there was a official notification on the sign at the beginning of the Blue Ridge trail saying that until further notice the Angeles National Forest is closed off and no one can enter it to hike, backpack, run, bike, picnic, etc.  I wonder if they have such a sign at the beginning of Acorn and the other trails in town.  For me not being able to hike is painful.  Does anyone have any inside information or further clarification about this restriction?

I hear ya, but if you go up there and sprain your ankle you might end up being bbqed.  and this smoke isn't good to breath while hiking.

[Domingo]

Thanks, Bob, for posting the order.  I can see that technically speaking, the Angeles Nat'l Forest is off limits within the perimeter from the 210 to the 14 to the 138 to the 15, which includes areas that are very far from the Station Fire and are in no immediate danger.  I have a question:  Am I at risk of being fined and possibly jailed if I walk my dog up the dirt road paralleling the Sheep Creek Wash or the Heath Creek Wash at this time?  How do you rest of you stand on taking this order literally?

[FIGHT ON]

Thanks, Bob, for posting the order.  I can see that technically speaking, the Angeles Nat'l Forest is off limits within the perimeter from the 210 to the 14 to the 138 to the 15, which includes areas that are very far from the Station Fire and are in no immediate danger.  I have a question:  Am I at risk of being fined and possibly jailed if I walk my dog up the dirt road paralleling the Sheep Creek Wash or the Heath Creek Wash at this time?  How do you rest of you stand on taking this order literally?

This subject has come up on other (Hiking) message boards, not this order but similar ones. I was surprised to discover that almost all that commented were not against either entering a closed area, no trespassing areas etc. Even advising a father and his child to enter the Crystal Lake Closed area,  (even an administrator advocates it!) truly amazing!
The way I see it is respect for the wilderness. It doesn't matter if you get fined to me. You couldn't pay me to enter a closed area. Even if nobody would find out!

[bootsmiles]

Not to stir up any arguments, but, to some of us hiking is like breathing.
To stop is not an option.
Maybe Domingo is like that?

[Up Sheep Creek]

D- The forest closure is hurting alot of us.  Especially, those of us that take advantage of living so close to the wilderness.  My doggies go hiking everyday and usually we head for lower ground in the winter but now with the fire we all have to adjust.  I hope for the best and if the fire can be contained at Hwy 39/2 we might be able to get back in before winter.  Now... if these winds would just die down!  Oh and be careful around the Sheep Creek Wash, pack of coyotes hanging around and they are not bashful. 

[Dave C]

I'd be very surprised if anyone got in trouble hiking through the Angeles forest around our town.  After all, the fire is 12-13 miles away, the forest forms a perimeter around much of our town, and the state's resources are devoted to protecting the truly threatened sections of the forest.

I didn't even know the forest right above me was officially closed, but it has not stopped prominent residents of WW who are active in CERT or fire awareness matters from hiking up the wash.  I would advise against it when the smoke is blowing into the area, though.

[Nolena]

Ah. But what about the San Bernardino Forest?
That would allow access to the PCT off Swarthout Canyon Road.

[FIGHT ON]

Ah. But what about the San Bernardino Forest?
That would allow access to the PCT off Swarthout Canyon Road.

That's what I would do.
 "A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or
$10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both." is something I'd rather not be thinking about on a hike! 

[Wrightwood]

I'd be very surprised if anyone got in trouble hiking through the Angeles forest around our town. 

The Angeles Forest closure IS being enforced with NO exceptions.

I'd strongly suggest that you follow the details of this closure as your chances of getting caught are going to be high. Stick to trails that are in San Bernardino National Forest and administered by SBNF.

[lagomorphmom]

Not to stir up any arguments, but, to some of us hiking is like breathing.
To stop is not an option.

What if someone said "to some of us horse riding is like breathing.
To stop is not an option (even if the horse is lame)." If you respected your horse, would you not ride another one until it was better???

The forest is a living thing as well, and respectfully, not a workout or transcendental prop for any one of us. I understand your point, my garden is my zen, but the forest belongs not to us, but to itself first, those who live in it second (meaning the flora and fauna) and then to those of us who are very privileged to share it.

Honestly folks, can't you give it a rest for a few days to help out those trying to keep *what's left* safe? When you are in the closure area, you are a distraction for every agency trying to keep what remains safe and what is in danger accessible.

[in my dreams]

Quote from: bootsmiles on Sep 05, 09, 04:33:50 PM
Not to stir up any arguments, but, to some of us hiking is like breathing.
To stop is not an option.
Luckily, you live in CA! A little extra driving and some research, you can explore great places you never knew existed. No need to break the rules.

[Homer]

Ah. But what about the San Bernardino Forest?
That would allow access to the PCT off Swarthout Canyon Road.

 That would work, as long as your East of the 15 frwy. The Angeles extends to the 15 even though it crosses into Sb county.

 Last time the ANF closed, a buddy of mine and I were cutting over sheap creek to the shooting range and a ranger coming the other way inquired were we are going and gave us the option to leave or be cited. Das-Boot

 So I guess... roll the bones if you're feeling lucky they may not come up snake eyes. 

[Wrightwood]

Homer,
The PCT in Lone Pine Canyon is administered by San Bernardino National Forest and not part of the closure and is on the West side of the I15. The ANF administration line is on the West side of Slover Canyon near Wright Mountain.

If people are on the PCT and stay East of Wright Mountain they are in SBNF.

[Wrightwood]

Here's a map that was used for the Boundary Ridge Fuel Modification Project that shows where the ANF and SBNF starts and stops.




Larger: http://www.wrightwoodfsc.com/BoundryRidge/MD_boundary.ridge.JPG

[GRAHAM_RANCH]

This might be a dumb question..but what is a "land stop?"

[Wrightwood]

GRAHAM_RANCH I reworded it and hope it makes sense now