Author Topic: Angeles National Forest News! (Read 394389 times)

RobertW · « **Reply #140 on:** Jun 09, 13, 10:37:39 AM »

The road is still closed. Rumor has it they were supposed to have started working on it last week. I didn't see any evidence of that, so perhaps they'll start on it this next week.

We've put the CLOSED sign back up.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #141 on:** Jul 01, 13, 03:57:32 PM »

Goody2shz · « **Reply #142 on:** Jul 09, 13, 08:28:05 PM »

Once again, the "Closed" sign for Lupine/Cabin Flat at Inspiration Point has been removed (and it's not lying on the ground either), but now there's a really small white sign that was probably underneath the big sign that also says "closed." Anyone know if that road is actually open yet and if it's been repaired? TIA!

countrygirl · « **Reply #143 on:** Jul 10, 13, 08:27:18 AM »

The road to Lupine over the wash out is easily passable by anything 4 wheel drive but I havent been down there since end of last summer.

Bob C · « **Reply #144 on:** Jul 10, 13, 08:40:25 AM »

From the Big Pines Ranger Station FB page:

Quote

The Powerhouse Fire delayed the engineers from working on the road down into Lupine by about a month. They are scheduled to start working on the road this coming Monday, July 15th. It should only take a couple of days to get the road open.

Goody2shz · « **Reply #145 on:** Jul 10, 13, 10:11:00 AM »

Thanks!!

RobertW · « **Reply #146 on:** Dec 16, 13, 02:31:31 PM »

lagomorphmom · « **Reply #147 on:** Dec 16, 13, 07:01:10 PM »

It's not clear from the above if the Big Pines area is affected at all or how much as two statements see contradictory.
Anybody have a more precise description of the changes proposed for this particular area?

RobertW · « **Reply #148 on:** Dec 17, 13, 12:46:49 PM »

Quote from: lagomorphmom on Dec 16, 13, 07:01:10 PM

It's not clear from the above if the Big Pines area is affected at all or how much as two statements see contradictory.
Anybody have a more precise description of the changes proposed for this particular area?

Yes, there are some contradictions between the Map and the Proposal. For instance the map shows Vincent Gap as a no Fee or Free area. It isn't. The "tables" are correct. I talked to "the Boss" yesterday and Ron said they've been working on this proposal for a couple of years. For the Big Pines area, nothing has changed in the proposal from what we have been doing for the past summer. As you know, the "Recreation Fee Area" goes from Vincent Gap to Mountain High East and just West of Jackson Lake, yet we no longer have been citing those just parked along the side of the road or in turnouts within that area. We only have been citing those that are in locations described in the "tables" in the proprosal document. Another words, the campgrounds (Peavine, Apple Tree, Blue Ridge, Lupine, Guffy), Jackson Lake, picnic areas (Arch), day use areas (Grassy Hollow), Inspiration Point and Vincent Gap all require an Adventure Pass because they have "amenities" such as restrooms, firepits, BBQs, tables, benches and informational signage.

New proposed FREE or no FEE areas are the Table Mountain picnic area, Day Use turn outs along Table Mountain Road, The large Day Use turnout just below Arch Picnic Area, Cabin Flat and South Fork Trailhead. Again, we have not been citing cars just parked along side the road, like in Big Rock Creek for the past summer. The campgrounds in Big Rock Creek such as Big Rock, Sycamore and South Fork will still require Adventure Passes.

Snowplayers will no longer need Adventure Passes if parked along the side of the road and turnouts between the Big Pines Station and Inspiration Point. They will need them if they are parked along side of the road between the Big Pines Station to Mountain High East.

Again, nothing has really changed for the Big Pines area other than the fact we won't be writing citation for the thousands of snowplayers parked along side the road along Angeles Crest Hwy.

Cheapskate · « **Reply #149 on:** Dec 17, 13, 12:47:33 PM »

I interpret the link RobertW provided as an outline of what has been suggested for months: that places with designated parking for picnic tables or trailheads or camping will continue to require 1-day or annual Adventure Pass...but parking legally along the side of Hwy 2, Blue Ridge Road, N4, etc. will not.

My persnickety nature makes me skeptical of "solicitations for comments/input from the public". It seems, no matter what, that the US Forest Service will widely adopt a policy that a court has ordered for one or two areas. The period of public comment is a bureaucratic hoop through which they must first jump.

They're so cute when they act like my opinion matters...maybe I will submit a comment anyway and get my pat on the head!

Cheapskate · « **Reply #150 on:** Dec 17, 13, 12:49:13 PM »

Naturally, Robert's reply above is better, thanks.

RobertW · « **Reply #151 on:** Dec 17, 13, 01:00:45 PM »

Cheapskate, I think you summed it up. The biggest changes will be those parking along Angeles Crest Hwy, Table Mountain Road, Blue Ridge Road and Big Pines Hwy. Even "Slover Canyon" and the trail head to Pine Mountain will no longer require a pass. As I mentioned we have really been implementing this for the past year in anticipation of the new Proposal.

I know I've said it before, but without these fees the restrooms would have to be closed, grafitti wouldn't get removed, trash cans and liners wouldn't be replaced, the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center would close, etc. All this and Volunteer Coordination is paid for by Adventure Pass monies. There is no provision for these necessary items in Congress' new budget.

lagomorphmom · « **Reply #152 on:** Dec 17, 13, 05:44:28 PM »

Quote from: RobertW on Dec 17, 13, 01:00:45 PM

I know I've said it before, but without these fees the restrooms would have to be closed, grafitti wouldn't get removed, trash cans and liners wouldn't be replaced, the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center would close, etc. All this and Volunteer Coordination is paid for by Adventure Pass monies. There is no provision for these necessary items in Congress' new budget.

Don't worry, Robert. I'm sure everyone that is saving $5 or $30/yr (or 2 for $35) will use those monies and still come out ahead to bring not only a trash bag for themselves, but also one for those who forget them, as well as toilet paper to use in the bathrooms that are open...... ruh-roh, you think anybody will bring pooper scoopers to clean up after the unprepared in the areas where the bathrooms are closed?

Leftfield · « **Reply #153 on:** Dec 17, 13, 06:34:42 PM »

I think this Federal notice is procedual formality. Im reading between the lines but I guess the Forest Service can charge a fee for developments like picnic tables, parking, restrooms, and the like but they cant collect for parking along the highways. Are they going to tear down all those No Parking signs along Hwy 2?

To me I think the Forest Service should charge a bit more to get temp workers to cover the deluge of visitors that come up when a good dump of snow comes along. Lets face it....a handful of staff cant handle 10,000 people all at once.

lagomorphmom · « **Reply #154 on:** Dec 17, 13, 06:53:39 PM »

Out of curiosity, how many paid and volunteer staff do you think ther are on

1) snow season midweek
2) snow season weekend
3) snow season holiday
4) non-snow midweek
5) non-snow weekend

No cheating from USFS friends and family.

RobertW · « **Reply #155 on:** Dec 18, 13, 09:16:08 AM »

Quote from: Leftfield on Dec 17, 13, 06:34:42 PM

To me I think the Forest Service should charge a bit more to get temp workers to cover the deluge of visitors that come up when a good dump of snow comes along. Lets face it....a handful of staff cant handle 10,000 people all at once.

I will say that the "260 Robert" units of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department do a good job. They will usually have at least one unit and at times two, patrolling the area during a good snowplay day. Their expertise is in Search & Rescue and handling injuries, but I've seen them write some parking tickets as well. They are a great resource to have and work well with those of us that are USFS Volunteers. But come to think of it they are Volunteers also, well, technically they are paid deputies. They get $1 a year. Getting a CHP unit up here is like pulling teeth, unless paid by Mt. High to watch their parking entrances.

lagomorphmom · « **Reply #156 on:** Dec 18, 13, 12:31:17 PM »

Quote from: RobertW on Dec 18, 13, 09:16:08 AM

I will say that the "260 Robert" units of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department do a good job. They will usually have at least one unit and at times two, patrolling the area during a good snowplay day. Their expertise is in Search & Rescue and handling injuries, but I've seen them write some parking tickets as well. They are a great resource to have and work well with those of us that are USFS Volunteers. But come to think of it they are Volunteers also, well, technically they are paid deputies. They get $1 a year. Getting a CHP unit up here is like pulling teeth, unless paid by Mt. High to watch their parking entrances.

That's true, Bob, but they don't count for the topic question of USFS staffing.

RobertW · « **Reply #157 on:** Dec 20, 13, 09:39:51 AM »

Jackson Lake Closure Order 01-13-05
Date: Dec 19, 2013

Pursuant to USC 551 and CFR 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety, the following act is prohibited within the Santa Clara Mojave Rivers Ranger District of the Angeles National Forest. This Order is effective from December 21, 2013 through March 31, 2014.

Order and Map:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5444335.pdf

Elk · « **Reply #158 on:** Dec 20, 13, 03:46:04 PM »

New signs installed at Jackson Lake. Must have been in the last 36 hours as I did not see them on Wednesday.

Elk · « **Reply #159 on:** Dec 20, 13, 03:55:42 PM »

There at least five of these signs installed around the lake that I could see. These are in addition to the other smaller, keep off the ice signs.

Author Topic: Angeles National Forest News! (Read 394389 times)

Goody2shz

countrygirl

Goody2shz