Forest Closure?

[rmekemson]

We can all recall the recent forest closures prompted by the extremely dry conditions of years past.  It was unfortunate we couldn't hike, etc.  However...it was far better to keep the fire danger to a minimum.

Well...we've had another dry year.  I kind of expect this may be an excellent candidate year for another closure.  However I'm hearing rumblings going through the village that a closure may come as early as April.  Has anyone out there heard anything to support this rumor?

[Wrightwood]

That would be perfect question for you to ask our new ANF District Ranger tonight. (He's suppose to be attending the Wrightwood Fire Safe Council meeting at 7pm - Old Fire Station - Museum)

[mtm629]

That would be perfect question for you to ask our new ANF District Ranger tonight. (He's suppose to be attending the Wrightwood Fire Safe Council meeting at 7pm - Old Fire Station - Museum)

Who is the new District Ranger?

[Wrightwood]

John Capell is our new District Ranger

[hikin_jim]

Does anyone know whether or not the road along Blue Ridge from Guffy to where the Acorn Trail joins in is open?  I know they frequently gate it back closer to Guffy.

[Wrightwood]

hikin_jim, yes it's currently open.

[ForestGal]

Does anyone know whether or not the road along Blue Ridge from Guffy to where the Acorn Trail joins in is open?  I know they frequently gate it back closer to Guffy.

As far as I know, you can drive down at least to Lupine.  I don't know the condition of the road, as I haven't been down there this year.  I was past Guffy last week, to go to the plateau on the slide, and no gates were closed.

In fact, 2 hikers came up the Acorn trail that day, while our group was still there, and those 2 continued up the trail to the top.  All of a sudden 5 bighorns appeared on top of the ridge - what a thrill!!!   

[Toolman]

Yes the Big Horns are migrating to our side of the mountain chain as the temperatures rise on the south facing slopes which brings them north and they take cover in our cooler temps along the ridges and bed under the trees.

 The entire road is open and has been graded to Blue Ridge and Guffy. The road is open to Slover but has not been graded beyond Guffy but passable. The road to Lupine is also open and has not been graded and at this point most likely will not be, but is very passable in a high profile vehicle do to rocks from winter activity.

 The hike to Cabin Flat is also very accessable, but temps are rising down there so take plenty of water. The stream is also down from last year going into fish fork.

 Unfortunatley the recent activity in Slover Cyn. were the PCT intersects will drive the Big Horns back into the Pine Ridge and Pine Mtn. areas were accessability is only on foot. Just last weekend, a group set up camp with three vehicles, four tents and a 9' trampoline was set up at Slover Cyn. in a none USFS approved camping location. Weber BBQ grill and all the neccessities of life were set up there.   amazing....what people will do.

[hikin_jim]

That's great to hear that Big Horns are being sighted again.  I haven't seen one in years.  I've seen them a lot around Mt. San Antonio and some of the Eastern High Country as well as over by Twin Peaks, but it's been 10? 15? years since I can remember seeing one.

Thanks for the road info.  Sounds like my Honda Accord could probably get to where the Acorn Trail comes in, but it sounds like going down to Lupine and/or Cabin flat is out for me, unless I get my Honda Accord really "tricked out" .  :-)  (not very darn likely)

[RobertW]

That's great to hear that Big Horns are being sighted again.  I haven't seen one in years.  I've seen them a lot around Mt. San Antonio and some of the Eastern High Country as well as over by Twin Peaks, but it's been 10? 15? years since I can remember seeing one.

Thanks for the road info.  Sounds like my Honda Accord could probably get to where the Acorn Trail comes in, but it sounds like going down to Lupine and/or Cabin flat is out for me, unless I get my Honda Accord really "tricked out" .  :-)  (not very darn likely)

There are plenty of Bighorns in "them thar hills".  I've seen as many as 11 at one time on the Heath Creek Slide.  But as Toolman said, human "activity" moves them further into the wilderness.  Because the road has been open to the slide in the past couple of years the sightings are a little less frequent.

BostonBob and I had the pleasure of leading a group about 25 individuals into Lytle Creek's South Fork in February as part of the official CDFG and USFS Bighorn Ground Survey and the group in our canyon spotted 16 Bighorns and 1 Mountain Lion.

I did spot 6 Bighorns last year on the Heath slide, near the Acorn Trail.  You never know when you will run into them.  Always keep your eyes open.

If you do spot a Bighorn, we'd like to hear about it here on the forum.

As for Lupine, if you're slow and careful, I have no doubt that your Honda Accord could make it.  Plenty of small cars with low clearance have "cleared the way" for you.  Cabin Flat is ONLY accessible by foot.  There are numerous fallen trees you must make your way through and across but it is a great hike.  As Toolman suggested, take plenty of water.  Once at Cabin Flat the stream is running but you'd want to be sure an have a water filter.

[hikin_jim]

Thanks, Robert, good info.  Thanks also for the water report.  That can be pretty valuable on a hot day.  :-)

I'll definitely keep an eye peeled for Big Horns.  They're a very cool critter.  I'm hoping to hike the North approach to Baldy in a couple of weeks or so, which is a good area to spot 'em.

[RobertW]

I'll definitely keep an eye peeled for Big Horns.  They're a very cool critter.  I'm hoping to hike the North approach to Baldy in a couple of weeks or so, which is a good area to spot 'em.

If you park at the Devil's backbone trailhead on Blue Ridge Road on the backside of Wright Mountain, to access Baldy from the North, immediately keep your eyes peeled.  That backbone trail will take you to the top of Pine Mountain and eventually to Baldy.  Both sides of the ridge are good places to look for Bighorns.  That is their Summer Ranging area.  The canyons to the East eventually run down into Lytle Creek Canyon.  The Canyons to the West eventually run into the San Gabriel River (Both of these canyons are good places to observe Bighorns.)

 

[snowave]

It looks like fire restrictions will go into effect on August 1st for the Angeles. From the preliminaries in a forest meeting yesterday, (I wasn't there, but was told this info from someone who was) NO campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted on the forest, period. Gas/jellied stoves will apparently still be permitted.. but not sure if only in developed sites or not yet.

More "official" info coming soon in an ANF News Release.

[RobertW]

It looks like fire restrictions will go into effect on August 1st for the Angeles. From the preliminaries in a forest meeting yesterday, (I wasn't there, but was told this info from someone who was) NO campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted on the forest, period. Gas/jellied stoves will apparently still be permitted.. but not sure if only in developed sites or not yet.

More "official" info coming soon in an ANF News Release.

I think that is very wise. 

Unfortunately with little if any personnel out there patrolling Area 12 (Big Pines Area) of the Angeles Forest, it doesn't really matter.  There isn't anybody out there seeing that the campers are complying to the new regulations.  The two LEOs for the SMMR Ranger District have admitted to us in the past that they can only get up into the Wrightwood area every third week or so, as they are pretty busy with the Bouquet Canyon area.   

When we were out doing our Volunteer Patrols we did have help out there with ANF Engine 38 and Engine 37 checking the campgrounds.  If there aren't any working fires, perhaps it will be left up to them to be more pro-active in seeing that the new regulations are being observed.

One thing I came to learn when we were out there doing our Volunteer Patrols, NOBODY pays any attention to the signs that are posted showing the current fire restrictions.  But once it is brought to their attention, they were always more than happy to comply.  The word seemed like it would spread, as people got use to seeing the Volunteer Patrol trucks coming around and it seemed to me that each weekend we were out there, there were fewer and fewer incidents of illegal fire activity.

I still believe that being out there educating the public as to fire safety and the current fire restricitions within the Angeles Forest is the key to minimizing the potential for wild fires caused by illegal campfires.  But that takes manpower, whether by paid USFS personnel or Volunteers.