Sierra NF permits and the Creek Fire impact uncertainty
Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2021 10:26 am
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CASNF/2 ... 6-CST.jpeg
I am not 100% sure of what I am seeing on the map above of the Creek Fire. The red jagged line is the extent of the fire? If so it seems that the FS trailheads in southern Yosemite are within the fire impact area, including several miles of trail- such as all the way to Hemlock Crossing. Also the trail along the north side of Edison Lake seems like it is burned according to the map. Nobody knows if the trails in the fire area will be mostly clear or a mess of deadfall.
I called Sierra NF and they said that they hope to have all roads open, but have not evaluated the safety (such as unstable dead trees) so cannot be absolutely sure if all the trailheads will be accessible. If not, reserve.gov should notify those with permits and refund. I also asked about Florence Lake ferry and they said it should be open (again not a solid "for-sure").
So there are multiple complicating factors- Creek Fire, new permit system, COVID. "Walk-in" permits are NOT walk-in. But they said they will be available up to the day of entry, but NOT at the FS office, but through reserve.gov. Nobody is clear on "no-shows" or if you could actually sit in your car in front of their office and pick up a no-show permit with your smart phone. They also said that this system is a work in progress and could be changed in the future.
There seems to be a lot of uncertainty, especially if you are getting an early season permit with a trailhead or access road in the fire impacted area.
Does anyone have more information on all this?
I am not 100% sure of what I am seeing on the map above of the Creek Fire. The red jagged line is the extent of the fire? If so it seems that the FS trailheads in southern Yosemite are within the fire impact area, including several miles of trail- such as all the way to Hemlock Crossing. Also the trail along the north side of Edison Lake seems like it is burned according to the map. Nobody knows if the trails in the fire area will be mostly clear or a mess of deadfall.
I called Sierra NF and they said that they hope to have all roads open, but have not evaluated the safety (such as unstable dead trees) so cannot be absolutely sure if all the trailheads will be accessible. If not, reserve.gov should notify those with permits and refund. I also asked about Florence Lake ferry and they said it should be open (again not a solid "for-sure").
So there are multiple complicating factors- Creek Fire, new permit system, COVID. "Walk-in" permits are NOT walk-in. But they said they will be available up to the day of entry, but NOT at the FS office, but through reserve.gov. Nobody is clear on "no-shows" or if you could actually sit in your car in front of their office and pick up a no-show permit with your smart phone. They also said that this system is a work in progress and could be changed in the future.
There seems to be a lot of uncertainty, especially if you are getting an early season permit with a trailhead or access road in the fire impacted area.
Does anyone have more information on all this?