San Bernardino National Forest Raises Fire Restrictions SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., August 30, 2010 – Moderate to severe drought conditions, hot weather and lower fuel moisture have prompted the San Bernardino National Forest to increase fire restrictions on Thursday, September 2. Forest officials are taking these steps to prevent human-caused fires and raise public awareness as the summer continues to get warmer and dryer. Most wildfires on the San Bernardino National Forest are human-caused and increased restrictions are designed to reduce wildland fires. Forest visitors are reminded to exercise caution when visiting the National Forest and maintain a higher level of awareness with the increased fire risk. Travelers through the Forest should remain on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass.
Fire restrictions and guidelines effective September 2, 2010 on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows: • Wood and charcoal fires are permitted only in campgrounds and picnic grounds and within agency provided fire rings or camp stoves. Forest Rangers may further restrict campfires from campgrounds under extreme fire conditions. • Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted at Yellow Post campsites due to high fire danger. Propane and gas stoves only at Yellow Post sites.
Campfires are not permitted at walk/hike-in camps on the Mountaintop Ranger District: 1. Fisherman’s Group Camp west of Green Valley Lake 2.Holcomb PCT Trail Camp north of Green Valley Lake 3.Bench PCT Camp north of Green Valley Lake 4.Little Bear Springs PCT Camp north of Fawnskin 5.Doble PCT Camp north of Baldwin Lake 6.Arraste (Deer Springs) PCT Camp north of Onyx Peak 7.Wildhorse Trail Camp near Sugarloaf Mountain 8.Mission Springs PCT Camp east of Barton Flats Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves used outside of developed recreation sites.
•Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated by concessionaire or special use permits, except those engaged in legal hunting. • An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles. • Smoking is limited to enclosed buildings, vehicles and developed recreation sites. • Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest. Tracer, armor piercing, steel core, and Teflon ammunitions are also prohibited, as is discharging a firearm at any exploding target. The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions. Violation of these prohibitions is subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both, as Class B misdemeanors under federal law. Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire. Visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and to contact your local Ranger Station for more information on current conditions.
San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor’s Office: 909-382-2600 Arrowhead Ranger Station: 909-382-2758 Barton Flats Visitor Center 909-794-4861 Big Bear Ranger Station and Discovery Center 909-382-2790 Idyllwild Ranger Station: 909-382-2922 Lytle Creek Ranger Station 909-382-2851 Mill Creek Ranger Station: 909-382-2881 Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitors Center 760-862-9984 For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf

The wooden bridge at approximately mile 302 was hit by a falling rock and damaged one end of the hand rails. The bridge appears to have no structural compromise.

The PCT from Mission Creek trail north to Mission Springs Trail Camp is very overgrown with rough trail tread. This is due to the fire that burned up Mission Creek in 2006. The PCTA is aware of this and is working with the BLM-Palm Springs and the San Bernardino National Forest. At this time, it is suitable for hikers but will prove significantly more challenging than other sections of the PCT. PCTA would not recommend equestrians utilize this section of trail in its current condition. We will work hard to fix this but until it is fixed please know we are sorry for the inconvenience.

C1 213.4 Mesa Wing Farm. Water valve turned on. 7/14/10
C2 222.0 Whitewater Creek just n of Red Dome. Flowing strong. 7/15/10
C4 231.8 Mission Creek crossing. Flowing strong. 7/16/10
C4 235.0 Creekside camp. Had water. 7/16/10
C4 Onyx Summit Cache. Cache approx 2 gallons, dated 6/30/10. 7/17/10
C5 255.9 Arrastre Trail Camp at Deer Spring. Flowing poorly. 7/17/10
C5 at approx mile 257 (not 260.5)Trailside spring Flowing. 7/17/10
C4 265.5 Hwy 18 Cache. Approx 4 gal cache, dated 6/30. 7/17/10
C9 284.9 Holcomb Creek. Flowing strong. 7/17/10
C9 291.2 Holcomb Creek at Crab Flats Rd. Good flow. 7/17/10

Checked the base of Mojave River Forks Dam today. Trail is in good shape. To cross the river, proceed up the dirt road (NOT the paved road) and cross the top of the inlet, proceed down the rocks and cross the river there, lot less water.
Trail Gorillas cleared all down trees from Little Bear Springs trail camp to Splinters Cabin today (5-9-10)

More info on the Whitewater Preserve... Spoke to 2 of the rangers (Jack and Robert) and the Preserve Manager (Frazier) on 01May while I was visiting the GREAT facility they have there. In addition to the accolades you've already heard about what they've done to this facility, here's a couple more factoids: 1)The PCTA Southern Section (Eric Mason) has a copy, with Frazier's permission, of the camping permit that's required to be filled out if you stay there. The rules are simple. As of 01May, they'd had 6 PCT hikers stay w/ them, and ALL had left the facility spotless, so the faculty was very impressed. [Also, that 5 of the 6 had left donations, too!] 2) There's 2 water sources out of filtered hose bibs on the grounds: one behind the visitor's center, and the other about 50 paces below the bathrooms. 3) If you leave a car inside the gates (which are open 0800-1700 daily), please leave a note in the car's windshield so the rangers know when you're coming back. If you leave a car OUTSIDE of the gate ('cause you didn't arrive in time), leave a similar note so that the BLM Ranger (who patrols Whitewater Road once in the evening and once in the morning) won't ticket your car or have it towed. 4) If you arrive after hours to set up camp, and depart before they open in the AM, you DO NOT need to fill out the Camping Permit. Frazier asks that you simply observe the rules, and leave no trace when you leave. Otherwise, you're free to set up camp and fill out the paperwork when they open in the AM. This is a GREAT PLACE, and they really like us (so far) -- so let's not abuse it!!

Hiked the 16 miles from Deep Creek Bridge east of Lake Arrowhead to the trail intersection w/ Hwy.173 on 29April. Of the couple places where the trail tread has been compromised, one stands out as particularly dicey -- a 16-foot section about 2.5 miles east of Mohave Forks Dam. A 120-foot high slide of brownish dirt/silicon pebbles has overcome the posts and boards that were put up to stabilize the 35-degree hillside, and the trail is buried. Only the top 2" of the uphill posts remain visible -- the bottom posts have been bent over horizontal w/ the force of the slide. BE VERY CAREFUL here, because when you try to step through it, you not only sink into the slide material a couple inches, but the material uphill of your footsteps slides immediately down to "fill". Recommend facing the hillside, and jabbing your toes into the hill and "crabbing" sideways on all 4's.

In my Deep Creek hike on 29April, I also found that heavy equipment had VERY recently covered up the area below the main levee wall and Deep Creek w/ several feet of dirt. This effectively forced the Creek into a narrower channel and, because it's still running full, took out the original crossing to get to the south side and the resumption of trail tread. It also took out all PCT signposts once you descend to that bulldozed area. The only thing I could do was bushwack along the river until I found an area to cross (flood refuse/branches) about halfway around Hill 3353 (left side of Map C13 in the book -- b/w the two levee sections). PCTA Southern Section rep (Eric Mason) now knows about this, and has asked for help to go liason w/ whoever bulldozed this section, and to try and get the trail redefined/restaked. Careful during your bushwhacking along this northern bank of the river -- there's nettles hidden in the grasses. If you decide to stay on top of the main levee and go around Hill 3353 before dropping down to the river bank, you'll STILL have to either backtrack to the crossing described, or wade through the creek (it's running about knee-deep in the shallowest places, but may be shallowing out as the season progresses).

4/17/10 I started at Whitewater Canyon Preserve and hiked over to and up Mission Creek. The weather was fine, with 70's in the day and 60's at night. The trail along Mission Creek is a bit hard to follow at times but it IS there; you may have to look closely for it. There's plenty of water and campsites.
As a side note, if you need to use your cell phone, try calling on the ridge before you drop down to Mission Creek.
The people at Whitewater Canyon Preserve were friendly and helpful. As I was just hiking overnight, I was allowed to park my vehicle behind their gate that night for safety. A donation is appreciated.

4/16/10 Just hiked from lower Mission Creek to Mission Creek Trail Camp. Excellent water all the way. But lots of snow on the north-facing slopes, pretty pervasive down to about 7000'. Patches of snow elsewhere. I would expect heavy snow on the trail up higher, especially traversing the north facing slope over to Coon Creek Jumpoff, which can make it hazardous.
In Mission Creek snakes are out, as are lots of horned toads and lots of wildlflowers. The manager of Wildlands Conservancy Whitewater Preserve may hike through to Coon Creek Jumpoff next week and could be a source of info on trail conditions up there.

I regularly visit Deep Creek Hot Springs. This week a through hiker arrived near the springs and stated that he had come from White Water through Deep Creek and that Onyx Summit area was a very difficult icy accent and that Fuller Ridge was similar. He was attempting to be ahead of the normal time line and hoping to reach the end ahead of schedule.
I normally hike the Deep Creek area from Willow Creek to the Spillway. It was maintained late last year and is in great shape in this area. Hats off to the Maintenance Crew. These are donations well spent. The springs are also well maintained by volunteers and available for those who care to stop and soak. Look forward to meeting you there on your journey to Canada.

This is a heads-up for anyone who does not have the latest information, particularly using the PCT guide book. The Whitewater Trout Farm, which for years was legendary for their unfriendliness to PCT hikers, was bought a few years ago by some Palm Springs conservationists, who eventually sold it to the Wildlands Conservancy. This group poured a lot of money into rehabilitating the place. It is now a welcoming oasis for PCT hikers, and not to be missed. You almost have to see the place to believe it. There is a very nice Vistors Center, which is manned during normal business hours. Water is readily available, as is camping, on the grass under shady trees near the ponds. It is FREE. For PCT hikers used to how the area looks, it probably sounds like I am babbling incoherently after being out in the desert sun too long. All I can say is, check it out for yourself!

Location: Road 2N33 near Cedar Springs Dam to Silverwood Lake Area's entrance Road. I ran this section yesterday. There were 3 blowdowns blocking the trail.
It is possible to circumnavigate the blowdowns by crawling under/over. Brush in also encroaching on sections of the trail.

Trail from Onxy Summit to the Spillway at Silverwood Lake is in excellent condition. Several areas have received maintenance especially between Deep Creek Hot Springs and Warm Springs. All water caches I saw were at least half full. All creeks were dry except Holcomb (which was a very low trickle at Coxey Truck Trail) and Deep Creek, which is running normal for this time of year. I met several hunting parties so it is a good idea to be visible. (I note there is a great deal of bicycle and motorcycle tracks. I had two cyclist meet me unexpectedly near Cougar Crest using it as a loop back to Big Bear.)

San Bernardino National Forest Fire Danger Increases, Officials Raise Fire Restrictions Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites.

I lead a group of 17 hikers south along the PCT from the Wild Animal Training Facility at Onyz Summit just off Hwy 38 in the San Bernardino Mtns. east of Big Bear on Sat. April 18th.
Our plans was to go south approx. 5 miles to Coon Creek Jumpoff. We encountered 3 down trees and approx. 1 mile of 2 to 3ft of snow covering the trail. It was so bad that we had to turn back about 1/4 mile from our destination at Coon Creek Jumpoff for safety reasons.
I am pretty sure that most hikers that reach that area in the next few days could have problems...so be careful. Any thru-hikers leaving Mexico this week-end should have no problems

The report of the "foot bridge" at the Deep Creek spillway was removed by the SBNF, not "washed away". There are NO plans at this time to put a bridge across this area.

April 2,2009 The Trail Ratz foot bridge near the Deep creek spillway has been washed away.expect to get wet about 2 Ft. of water in the river.

Report from 1-29-09 has been cleared of down trees.

Not sure if this is in the correct order but the information is correct. There is massive blow downs as the trail goes SW towards Silverwood Lake from Hwy 173 after crossing the bridge of Cedar Springs Dam. The trail is all but obliterated.
Downed tree creating obstacle on trail. 34"17.513N - 117"19.939W
Downed tree - obstacle on trail. 34"17.388N -117"20.779W

Downed tree blocking trail 34 20.275N 117 10.121W
Downed tree on trail 34 19.379N 117 09.063W
Downed tree on trail 34 19.110N 117 08.665W
Downed tree on trail 34 16.406N 117 07.637W

New Fire Restrictions in Effect for San Bernardino National Forest San Bernardino, Calif., November 18, 2008 – Due to extremely dry conditions, potential for strong winds, coupled with recent wildfire activity throughout southern California, the San Bernardino National Forest announced today an increase in fire restrictions. No open campfires, wood or charcoal BBQ’s are allowed, even in developed campgrounds, picnic areas, yellow post sites or group camps. Target shooting will be permitted only at developed shooting ranges, including the Lytle Creek Firing Range, Big Bear Sportsman’s Club and the Lake Arrowhead Fish and Game Conservation Club Target Range. “We are asking forest visitors and mountain residents exercise extreme caution during the extremely dry conditions we are experiencing right now,” said Forest Supervisor Jeanne Wade Evans. Current fire restriction and guidelines in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows: •    Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted on the San Bernardino National Forest. •    Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites. •    Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated under special use permit only, except those engaged in legal hunting. •    An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles. •    Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, developed recreation sites, and areas cleared of vegetation three feet in diameter. •    Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest. Tracer, armor piercing, steel core, and Teflon ammunitions are also prohibited, as is discharging a firearm at any exploding target. •    Forest Road 1N09 is closed to Motorized Vehicles - State Highway 330 to Bear Creek. Forest Visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the local Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions. Cajon Ranger Station 909-382-2850 Arrowhead Ranger Station 909-382-2758 Big Bear Ranger Station & Discovery Center 909-382-2790 Cajon Ranger Station 909-382-2850 Idyllwild Ranger Station 909-382-2922 San Gorgonio Ranger Station 909-382-2881 Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument 760-862-9984 For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/

PCT reroute in Big Bear has been reopened. Little Bear Springs Trail Camp is supposed to be closed to camping as that facility has not been repaired yet, however the trees have been logged out.

The PCT has officially been reopened from the Cottonwood Trailhead to Hwy 18. Please keep in mind that there are still fire hazards in the area.