Corona Virus

Grab your bear can or camp chair, kick your feet up and chew the fat about anything Sierra Nevada related that doesn't quite fit in any of the other forums. Within reason, (and the HST rules and guidelines) this is also an anything goes forum. Tell stories, discuss wilderness issues, music, or whatever else the High Sierra stirs up in your mind.
Locked
User avatar
Teresa Gergen
Topix Regular
Posts: 109
Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:47 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Colorado

Re: Corona Virus

Post by Teresa Gergen »

Thought about it, but it will just bring the closure of the trails that much sooner.
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11823
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Corona Virus

Post by maverick »

Disgusting! Sorry you had to experience that Teresa. ☹️ :angry:
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
commonloon
Topix Regular
Posts: 325
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:32 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Corona Virus

Post by commonloon »

Teresa - that is horrible. I agree. Call the sheriff.

This is a time when we're all going to need to work together with compassion and patience.
User avatar
balzaccom
Topix Addict
Posts: 2952
Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:22 pm
Experience: N/A

Re: Corona Virus

Post by balzaccom »

Teresa Gergen wrote: Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:47 am Thought about it, but it will just bring the closure of the trails that much sooner.
Maybe it would just get those guys a fine...and get them off the trails.
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/
Or just read a good mystery novel set in the Sierra; https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-R ... 0984884963
User avatar
austex
Topix Expert
Posts: 552
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 11:51 am
Experience: N/A
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Corona Virus

Post by austex »

The trail is pretty much unusable with them occupying it.
EDIT Just got notice that all hiking trails in L.A. County are to close.
https://www.foxla.com/news/all-hiking-t ... akuk1j747U
User avatar
maverick
Forums Moderator
Forums Moderator
Posts: 11823
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:54 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Corona Virus

Post by maverick »

Yosemite NP and SEKI NP are now officially closed to all visitors.

SEKI NP:
Effective immediately, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed to all park visitors until further notice. California Highway 180 will remain open for pass-through traffic to access Giant Sequoia National Monument and private property. All other roads and parking facilities are temporarily closed.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is our number one priority. The National Park Service is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website www.nps.gov/seki and social media channels @SequoiaKingsNPS.
Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
User avatar
wildhiker
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1109
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2011 4:44 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Contact:

Re: Corona Virus

Post by wildhiker »

Meanwhile, Pinnacles National Park in the central coast ranges appears to have the only developed public campground still open within about 3 hours drive of the Bay Area! I checked recreation.gov, reserveamerica.gov, and reservecalifornia.gov, plus county and regional park district sites, and found no other open campgrounds. All others appear closed because of COVID-19 concerns.
-Phil
Last edited by wildhiker on Wed Mar 25, 2020 11:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
TahoeJeff
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1223
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:03 am
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: South Lake Tahoe, NV

Re: Corona Virus

Post by TahoeJeff »

Death Valley:

Park Status during COVID-19
(Updated 3/23/2020)
Park is open, facilities are closed
The NPS encourages people who choose to visit Death Valley National Park during this pandemic to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy.

The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.

Restrooms
All public restrooms are closed. Visitors should come prepared to pack out human waste (such as in a RV holding tank) or dig a 6-inch deep hole to bury human waste at least 200 yards from campsites or water sources.

Visitor Information:
Furnace Creek Visitor Center and Stovepipe Wells Ranger Stations are closed.

Camping
All NPS campgrounds are closed, including front-country and back-country campgrounds.

Please note: Visitors whose reservations were impacted by these campground closures will be issued a refund to the original credit card of purchase. If you are a camper that did not receive a refund by April 15, 2020, please call 760-786-3247.
Campgrounds operated by Stovepipe Wells Resort and The Oasis at Death Valley are closed.
Panamint Springs Resort's campground is open.

Backpacking and dispersed roadside camping is allowed. However, please follow the park's standard regulations for dispersed camping.

Viewpoints/Trailheads/Secondary Roads
Parking lots at Badwater, Zabriskie Point, and Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are closed to discourage groups of people from congregating at these high-traffic destinations. Salt Creek Road and Dantes View Road are closed.

Warm Springs
All warm springs in the park are closed to entry.

Resorts: Lodging, Food & Fuel
The Oasis at Death Valley is completely closed, except for the pay-at-the-pump gas station.
Stovepipe Wells Resort is closed, except for pay-at-the-pump gas station and the general store (open 9am-6pm). The gas station will be closed during winds of 25 mph or higher.
Panamint Springs Resort has lodging, camping, general store, gas station, and take-out food service.
"A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both."

Milton Friedman
User avatar
bobby49
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1225
Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2017 4:17 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer

Re: Corona Virus

Post by bobby49 »

If you are headed for Death Valley, consider the Racetrack Valley. First, see if the road is open. It is a pretty rough road, and high clearance is suggested. However, I've driven there a couple of times in a normal sedan. Make sure that there is no excess snow. Due to the warmth there, the snow seldom gets deep. If you drive there in the wrong vehicle, you are doomed.

The good news is that there is a lot of space there, and there are lots of old mines to explore. We might be getting close to the time when the desert wildflowers emerge. Make sure that you are self-sufficient.
User avatar
TahoeJeff
Topix Fanatic
Posts: 1223
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:03 am
Experience: Level 3 Backpacker
Location: South Lake Tahoe, NV

Re: Corona Virus

Post by TahoeJeff »

From the DVNP website:
Racetrack Road: Road is OPEN but washboard is worse than usual. Racetrack Playa could be wet and muddy after storms. Do not walk on playa if it is wet.
"A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both."

Milton Friedman
Locked

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 45 guests