High Sierra Topix

What I know is of three areas (of course there are probabaly more.) Reds Meadow...clean up started last fall. Near the Mammoth Pack Station...which is the closest to the Duck Pass trailhead. And Yosemite, from south of Dana Meadows past the Mono Pass trailhead. First hand observation, in Yosemite...obviously a north wind. Trees were cleared from Highway 120 during a road closure after November 17 and the road reopened in December.

Rogue, yes it is. I'm sure it's a huge job for the PTCA. I was amazed they were able to clear all the trees on the Sawmill Mountain stretch (a bit north of Mt. Gleason).

"In terms of trails status, the 9 trailheads in Reds Meadow valley all have debris. The PCT has been deemed “impassable,” with lots of climbing required. One hiker who emerged from the trail not long after the event said it took his group about 25 minutes to go a half-mile in some parts. Officials are working with the PCT Association on alternate routes. The official kickoff of the PCT hiking season is April 30, but most hikers don’t arrive until late June."

Read the entire article -
http://thesheetnews.com/archives/12565" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Holy Smokes. 10,000 trees down?

Mammoth info center says work won't even begin for two weeks, and "maybe" some areas open by June. The fellow there said, "don't bet on Agnew Meadows, though". :retard:

sounds like a good way to avoid crowds

There is an update on the INF site, with maps showing sections of trails in the area that are blocked by fallen trees - looks like a lot! There's also a video of areas around Red's Meadow and Devil's postpile. It's incredible to see huge trees snapped in half and others pushed over with their roots in the air... Makes you wonder what sort of wind could do that - and imagine being out in it!!

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/aler ... rdb5354687" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's an extensive update now online dated May 9 about how the work is progressing. Looks like its going to be difficult for any early season JMT hikers:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 367033.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is a very important link. Agnew Meadows campground closed for the year. It sounds like cutting through all the jackstraw on these trails will take more than one season. An event like this can more or less permanently erase any un-maintained trails off the main stems.

Has anyone known an event like this in the Sierra before? What it does to the area? In the short/medium term? Are rivers/streams affected? Does it increase fire danger ? This is just off the top of my head ... And can anyone hazard a guess as to how long it might take to clear trees off the major trails ? Is there a possibility that the JMT will be unusable in August? I feel so sad!