Construction connected to Southern California Edison’s West of Devers Upgrade Project (a renewable energy project) will result in temporary holds on PCT hikers and riders around mile 210.
For the most part, construction will not impact trail users. During wire stringing between electrical towers, construction crews may ask hikers to wait for a safe time to cross under the wires.
Despite April 2014 and May 2017 reports to the contrary, the endangered species detour at Mile 386 from Islip Saddle to South Fork Campground is readily passable by hikers. The trail is rocky, passes above some steep drop-offs, and has sections where scree has slid across the path, so those who are nervous about heights might not enjoy the trail, but it is still readily passable by average hikers and is a minor challenge compared to many other problems faced by through-hikers. The trail is presently impassible to equestrians because of a huge log on a very steep hillside that hikers must crawl under.
The Endangered Species Detour tours some splendid country, including Big Rock Creek and the Devil’s Punchbowl, but it so long and has so much elevation loss and gain that most hikers I’ve met are doing the road walk from Eagles Nest to Burkhart Campground.
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.
Hiked miles 616-652 this weekend. The trail was in pretty good shape, save for a few blowdowns at miles 633.47, 640.10, 641.10, and 648.71 and a washout at 622.35 that seemed as if they would be difficult for equestrians to bypass. We were able to get by just fine on foot though.
It’s appx 1/10th of mile NOBO from the junction of the Dog Trail and the PCT at halfmile, mile 1505.75 in Castle Crags. Huge downfall and you can’t go over it nor under it so I had to walk down the steep slippery slope without falling to get around it. I imagine a lot of day hikers just may turn around without going around it but the dedicated ones will keep going. It will make it rough going for locals hiking to Burstarse Falls. Photo on my FB page under the Castle Crags album… https://www.facebook.com/steve.lewis.3720/media_set?set=a.10210891024018712.1073742152.1445779123&type=3
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.
Just came through Section K and while overgrowth in WA is expected, miles 2508-2510 is in desperate shape. It looks like fallen tree has diverted the creek down the PCT. With no natural outlet it’s become a swamp. Popping out on the Milk Creek “valley trail” is extremely overgrown with washed out portions on slipping banks. There is also a dangerous tree to get over along the way. Precarious at best! There are two FS crews in the area.