There are many blowdowns between miles 594 and 644 (in the Piute and Scodie Mountains), several new this year. The blowdowns are passable on foot, but several are not passable on horseback (on steep hillsides). There is one spot before mile 642.7 in the Scodie Mountains with 20 or more trees down (many from previous years) such that it looks someone is playing pick-up sticks with trees.
Southern California
Tough conditions between Montezuma Valley Rd and Hwy 74
I hiked between Montezuma Valley Rd & Hwy 74 this weekend and wanted to share about an issue just north of Combs Peak. Starting around MM 129.3, just after the turnoff for the use trail most people use to access the peak, the trail is in pretty poor condition for the better part of a mile, with vegetation essentially knitted together across what’s left of disintegrating tread in places (worst spots are on northern aspects & gullies). There are a few fallen logs in here, but they’re fairly easily negotiable. It’s the combo, however, of the extreme overgrowth plus lack of tread in spots, that’s my main concern…in a few places, I was essentially walking on top of snow-covered bushes that obscured what was once the trail, my foot occasionally punching through to air – really not my idea of fun or safe trail! It’ll probably be easier to assess once the remainder of the snow is melted, but the tread is pretty severely slipped in a few spots, and having to fight the bushes while trying to find solid foot placements is quite difficult.
As a whole, that next stretch up to Highway 74 seems like it hasn’t been maintained in quite a while – there’s quite a bit of overgrowth, including catclaw that was hard to avoid in spots, although it’s just mostly annoying, not sketchy like that segment near Combs. I think those spots north of Combs are a bit of a safety hazard for hikers, and probably aren’t the safest for equestrians.
Large Hole On Trail
At approximately mile 205.4 (about .4 trail south of the water fountain) a large hole has developed in the trail. This hole is about waist deep on me (I’m 5’4″) and dropped into a small rock cavern. It is very easy to spot and get around for hikers but would prove challenging for equestrians especially if coming down hill. Please be careful.
Ravine impacting the trail near mile 566.8 next to Highway 58
A large ravine has formed, destroying the PCT near mile 566.8.6 on the north side of Highway 58. People might be able to cross. The ravine is likely to fully block equestrians until repairs are made.
Map of area: https://arcg.is/1KzXz00
Two ravines impact the trail near mile 562.8 above Oak Creek Canyon
Two ravines have formed, destroying the PCT near mile 562.8 above Oak Creek Canyon. At last survey, most people were able to cross the ravine not too far from the PCT crossing. Please write in with updates should that no longer be the case.
Map of the area: https://arcg.is/Gi4jz
Please note this other ravine nearby: https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/trail-condition/large-ravine-impacting-the-trail-near-mile-555-6-above-oak-creek-canyon/
Large ravine impacting the trail near mile 555.6 above Oak Creek Canyon
A large ravine has formed, destroying the PCT near mile 555.6 above Oak Creek Canyon in the windfarm area. People might be able to cross the ravine nearby. The ravine is likely to fully block equestrians until repairs are made.
Map of area: https://arcg.is/nz8DH
Blowdown miles 401-403
Reports of large blowdowns between miles 401-403.
Mission creek
Just went through this area. From tentsite marker at mile 235 best advice is to follow washout to mile 227.2 and regain trail there.