Angeles National Forest openings expected soon

Discussion in 'Trail Conditions' started by kanga, May 9, 2011.

  1. kanga

    kanga Active Member

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    The Forest Service has announced that by the end of the week they will be releasing details of areas and trails that will be re-opened soon, perhaps even before Memorial Day weekend.

    I've been at two different functions in the past two weeks, the Friends of the Angeles meeting and Congressman Schiff's panel on the Station Fire. At both of those meetings the deputy Superintendant Marty Dumpis said that approximately 110 miles of trails and 98,000 acres in the closure will be re-opened, as soon as memorial day weekend. That's about half of the closed area. Places like Big Tujunga Canyon and the Arroyo canyon probably won't open for some time yet.

    The Altadena Patch reported today on the forest service plans: http://altadena.patch.com/articles/...pen-100-plus-miles-of-trails-in-may?ncid=M255

    Highway 2 is a separate matter and a separate agency (Caltrans). The last announcement from them came on March 7 at which they estimated opening the highway in "Spring." So nothing more definite than that, but work has been progressing. http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/

    I helped lead a trailwork crew on El Prieto last weekend: http://corbamtb.com/news/2011/05/08/eagle-scout-el-prieto-trailwork/ Though much of the trail is in good shape (and a few people have been regularly poaching it), there are a few sections that need some serious work. There will be a crew out working on it this Saturday, as well as other volunteer groups working on Sunset Ridge trail, and the Gabrielino between Red Box and West Fork. If you want to come out to any of those trailwork days, volunteers are always welcome.

    Mueller Tunnel is another issue again. This has been tentatively scheduled for repair in the fall by the Federal Highway Administration. http://corbamtb.com/news/2011/01/24/fha-plans-for-mueller-tunnel-mt-lowe-fire-road/

    Of course, we'll believe the openings when we're actually suiting up to ride and rolling down some of our favorite trails once again. That said, this is the most encouraging news I've had in a while. :)
     
  2. just ride

    just ride cody phillips

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    Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  3. Krankin Kiwi

    Krankin Kiwi Closet Goater

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    Thanks for the update Steve, any idea if Mt Lowe West and Upper Merill will be on the open list?
    Mike.
     
  4. Rossage

    Rossage Active Member

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    Looks like they're saying that El P will open but the Brown Mtn fireroad will stay closed. Interesting...
     
  5. Pain Freak

    Pain Freak Dead or Alive

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    This is really screwing up my road riding plans!

    Great news, Thanks again Steve.
     
  6. elab

    elab Turnbull haze

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    Cool, I've always liked climbing El P
     
  7. kanga

    kanga Active Member

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    I've only been given info as to what will definitely NOT open, and Upper Merrill and Mt. Lowe were not on that list. The Mueller tunnel will remain closed. That said, Upper Merrill is in decent shape, so I would hope it will open. I haven't seen Mt. Lowe trail since before this last round of storms, so I don't know the state of that trail either.

    When they say brown mtn will be closed, the information I've heard was that Upper Brown mountain road (from the saddle to the now non-existent Ken Burton trail) will be closed indefinitely. I've seen it and it's ugly... six to ten foot deep ravines cut across the road in places.
     
  8. kanga

    kanga Active Member

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    Me too! Why take fire road when there's a perfectly good single track! Except that in it's current state, the Brown Mountain road is single track for many sections. From the saddle to the top of El P is almost all single track with a few surprises (which we'll probably get out and fix after it opens). In places it's as technical as EL P.
     
  9. eruizela

    eruizela mountain bike addict

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    No way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  10. eruizela

    eruizela mountain bike addict

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    Ill be there opening day.
     
  11. kanga

    kanga Active Member

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    It's not station fire related, but the FS today opened the Old Ridge Route to non-motorized traffic:

    Old Ridge Route Opens to Non-Motorized Traffic

    Release Date: May 9, 2011

    The forest closure order for the Old Ridge Route has expired. The route is still administratively closed to motorized traffic, but is open to hikers, hunters, bicycles, horses (foot traffic and non-motorized vehicles.) The administrative closure is due to rocks on the road, the continued high load of service-vehicle traffic caused by projects, continued rehabilitation of project areas, and poor condition of the road in various areas. For more information, contact the Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District at (661) 296-9710.
     
  12. Rossage

    Rossage Active Member

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    Maybe it will soon degrade into some prime singletrack.
     
  13. nightops

    nightops Lurker

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    good news!
     
  14. kanga

    kanga Active Member

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  15. Rossage

    Rossage Active Member

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    Sweet! It's awesome that the Silver Moc is on the list. Can't wait to ride my old friend....
     
  16. mottmcfly

    mottmcfly New Member

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    Cant thank you enough for all that you do out there. I really appreciate it.

    Marty
     
  17. kanga

    kanga Active Member

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    I spent time going over the forest service maps and descriptions and came up with a list of trails that are open and closed.

    It is at CORBA's web site at: http://corbamtb.com/news/2011/05/13/angeles-national-forest-trails-to-open-may-16-2011/

    UPDATE: The list has been confirmed by the FS

    Ernie, I hope you're supporting CORBA by being a CORBA/IMBA member :).

    I can't take any responsibility for opening the trails. CORBA is just one of many volunteer groups out there. What's important is that mountain bikers are represented and that we maintain our good relations with the Forest Service AND with other trail user groups.

    In the story on CORBA's web site, I have some caveats that I'll repeat here: Many of the trails will not be in good shape, so be prepared for surprises like downed trees, slides, washouts, ruts, and other hazards. Many trails have been drastically changed from before the Station Fire. Many fire roads have not yet been graded and may be much narrower and in very poor condition with ruts and washouts. All the usual caveats about trail safety apply so use the trails safely and responsibly, and be especially careful the first time you travel on one of the newly opened trails.
     
  18. eruizela

    eruizela mountain bike addict

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    Thanks Steve as as well as CORBA for representing mountain bikers and for your hard work.
     
  19. EMrider

    EMrider New Member

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    Great news, and thanks to CORBA for representing MTBers so well.

    Maybe I missed it, but no mention of EL P on either list?

    R
     
  20. Duke

    Duke New Member

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    Yeah....How about El Prieto?? I was wondering about that, too!!
     

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