There will be timber thinning occurring South of Bucks Summit adjacent to the PCT. No felling is occurring within 70′ of the trail and lookouts will be posted along the PCT for safety measures; no restrictions or closures.
Going South on the PCT toward the summit after logging road approx 1/2 mile on thin trail with a drop on the left BIG tree apporx 3-4 ft around blocking trail. Gold Country Trails Council MAY get to it soon but beware as the trail is blocked to horses. Precarious and dangerous to try to go over as it is on a bend on a hill and a steep drop on one side.
In Spring 2017, Yosemite Rangers discovered the bridge crossing Conness Creek near Glen Aulin HSC had been washed off its support beams. As of Spring 2018, the bridge has yet to have been rebuilt. This will impact access to hikers planning to spend a night at Glen Aulin. PCT hikers continuing North or South of this area without camping will not be impacted.
Work is anticipated to begin early summer.
This is not on the PCT, but it is on a significant side trail.
The South Fork Kings River Bridge above Paradise Valley washed out during the winter of 2016-2017. Construction of a replacement bridge will not begin before 2019. Depending on conditions, crossing the South Fork of the Kings River can be extremely hazardous. Observe conditions carefully and then evaluate the risk of crossing. Be prepared to turn back. If you hike the Rae Lakes Loop beginning from Bubbs Creek, plan for the possibility that you may have to backtrack to safely reach Cedar Grove.
At approximately Halfmile 1265, and just south of Bucks Summit, a vegetation management project is currently being implemented the overlays the PCT. The project aims to improve forest health by removing small trees from an old plantation. All felling will be done by hand and there will be one temporary skid trail across the PCT to remove felled trees. Operations should not last more than one week.
On July 22, I traveled the 25 miles on my horse. I encountered snow which at times completely obscured the trail. All snow was passable with my horse. GPS was helpful. There were 68 blow downs in this section, but all passable.
PCT users: due to a large tree down across and overhanging the PCT, we suggest using a short and parallel alternate route. PCTA staff, volunteers and Forest Service staff have begun a project to remove the tree, but were unable to finish the project in one day. At approximately Halfmile 1243.35 pink and orange flagging lead PCT users from the PCT to Forest Service road 23N65Y8. PCT users can then take a right on the road and travel downhill to approximately Halfmile 1244.60 and reconnect with the PCT at the Middle Fork Feather River trailhead. Southbound PCT users will take the opposite route. Both ends of the trail are flagged off and labeled. Equestrians are strongly encouraged to use this short alternate route.
[EDIT: for more information see: https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/trail-condition/damaged-bridges-effect-pctjmt-rae-lakes-loop-significant-way/]
I was advised by the SEKI visitor center that there are two damaged backcountry bridges in the Rae Lakes Loop area-the first crosses the South Fork of the King’s River in Upper Paradise Valley, and the second (most relevant to PCT and JMT hikers) crosses Woods Creek at the Woods Creek/JMT-PCT trail junction. The first closure is mentioned on the SEKI trail conditions web page, but the second is not yet posted-I assume they will update this status soon. There will apparently be efforts to helicopter in temporary bridges and/or repair materials for both crossings, but there was no timeline given for this work. The office stressed that both crossings were very hazardous to cross without the bridge and cautioned not to attempt a ford or a crossing on the remnants of the damaged bridges.