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What is open on the west side for backpacking this weekend?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 10:10 am
by oleander
What is open for backpacking this weekend on the west side within 4.5 hours of Bay Area?
From a quick look it appears Desolation & Carson Pass are closed, but Highway 4 is open. However, those are USFS websites and I don't want to bet too much that they are up to date.
Yes, happy to backpack without my stove.
Yes, monitoring smoke maps carefully.
Re: What is open on the west side for backpacking this weekend?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 11:22 am
by Wandering Daisy
Tahoe and El Dorado NFs are both open. "Dispersed" camping is allowed in Granite Chief Wilderness and "within 500 feet of the PCT" . In El Dorado, PCT both north and south of Hwy 88 are open. Check out their websites. Hwy50 over Echo Pass is closed for construction. There is a fire west of Desolation; you need to look at a map for that. Anyway, all info is on the websites.
Re: What is open on the west side for backpacking this weekend?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:15 pm
by balzaccom
You might also check special regulations. Many of the national forests are open, but do not allow ANY source of ignition--nit stoves, fires, or even cigarettes.
Re: What is open on the west side for backpacking this weekend?
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:23 pm
by CAMERONM
The winds can shift overnight; it has happened to me several times, and it is no fun being in smoke. All of a sudden, everything is smoky, and you can't know how far away the fire is. Smoke behavior is way more quirky than a 5-7 day weather report.
Re: What is open on the west side for backpacking this weekend?
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 2:26 pm
by Harlen
Okay, so some Forests have opened with restrictions:
The regional fire restriction order, 20-14, prohibits all ignition sources in all areas and elevations of the forest. This includes campfires, propane or gel fuel cookstoves and all smoking materials.
USFS-- Stanislaus NF
I'm game, we're interested in the Cherry Creek area, and north east from there. How do we eat our fish?
I'll ask at the fishing hole.
Re: What is open on the west side for backpacking this weekend?
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 3:13 pm
by balzaccom
Harlen wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 2:26 pm
Okay, so some Forests have opened with restrictions:
The regional fire restriction order, 20-14, prohibits all ignition sources in all areas and elevations of the forest. This includes campfires, propane or gel fuel cookstoves and all smoking materials.
USFS-- Stanislaus NF
I'm game, we're interested in the Cherry Creek area, and north east from there. How do we eat our fish?
I'll ask at the fishing hole.
Sushi.
Re: What is open on the west side for backpacking this weekend?
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 4:32 pm
by maverick
Let's stay on topic please.
PM sent Harlen.