The Curse of Island Lake

[balzaccom]

Three times.

Three times we have made plans to hike to Island Lake in the Desolation Wilderness. And three times our plans have been foiled. Once because M wasn't feeling well. Once because a huge storm was predicted (and delivered.) And now the King Fire.

Tahoe National Forest has announced that all hiking in Desolation Wilderness should be abandoned until that massive fire is under control---and it is 5% contained at this point. It has destroyed homes, injured firefighters, and carbonized over 100,000 acres of forest. And it has closed US 50 for a few miles as well.

So even if we WANTED to go hiking there, we couldn't get through to the trailhead. We've had other trips cancelled, both because of fire (in Yosemite) or other reasons. But we've never had to cancel the same itinerary more than once, except for Island Lake.

And now it's three times. I think it's cursed.

Ever had to cancel a trip more than once to the same place?

[Vaca Russ]

So even if we WANTED to go hiking there, we couldn't get through to the trailhead.

Paul,

We plan on doing some peak bagging in Lakes Basin west of Sierraville this weekend. I just got off the phone with Brett at Grey Eagle Lodge and he said the air is thick in Truckee but quickly clears up to crystal clear in about 15 miles up HWY 89.

JMHO,

-Russ

[balzaccom]

About an hour ago we got a phone call and an email from Tahoe National Forest saying that trailheads in Desolation Wilderness were closed...they were cancelling our permit, and refunding our money!

[uclacody0908]

Just curious as this happened to me recently as well with the meadow fire in Yosemite, how long does it take generally for the smoke to clear so to speak. I mean once a fire has been mostly put out and is 10 to 20 miles away as this one is, how long do you guys typically wait to head out, one month?

[balzaccom]

Depends completely on the area, the conditions, and the direction of the wind.

And that means it's a bit of crapshoot. Last year we took a hike to the southeast of the Rim Fire, because all the smoke was getting blown north and west. The day we arrived at our first night's campsite, the wind changed, and within 45 minutes we had plenty of smoke. And that fire was 25-30 miles away.