Poodle-Dog Bush Alternate Map
Update on 5-6-16: Major work has been done to remove Poodle-Dog Bush and this alternate is probably not necessary anymore.
Updated 5/13/12 with added links
Updated 5/10/12
I have published a California Section D Poodle-Dog Bush alternate map based on various reports from early Pacific Crest Trail hikers on the PCTmap.net web site.
Poodle-Dog Bush is found frequently in the Station Fire burn area and other burn areas of southern California. This year various reports from 2012 hikers have bad Poodle-Dog Bush on the PCT starting around either mile 419 or 421 or 425 and extending through Messenger Flat at mile 430.6. To avoid Poodle-Dog Bush, some hikers are detouring off the PCT either at the Mill Creek Ranger Station [mile 418.8] or Mount Gleason Rd [mile 421.4] or the dirt road at mile 425.1 [follow the dirt road 4/10 mile S to Mount Gleason Rd] and then following Mount Gleason Rd to Messenger Flat.
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Mill Creek Ranger Station to Messenger Flat alternate is 10.1 miles
Mount Gleason Rd to Messenger Flat alternate is 7.6 miles
Dirt Road at mile 425.1 to Messenger Flat alternate is 5 miles
Links:
Poodle-Dog Bush Alternate Map
Poodle-Dog Bush Warning Info Sheet
Double O describes his alternate route on the PCT-L
John’s Poodle-Dog Bush video from mile 427