Trail Discussion: Which Trails are still closed at Big Bear?

[mpc]

Sorry if this has been covered somewhere recently & I missed it but I'm looking for good current information for the following trails:
Closed or Open?
3N08 - Holcomb Valley (not referring to Holcomb Creek 3N93)
3N14 - access to White Mountain
2N13 - Butler Peak

I've looked at the list of closures on the SBNF website for the Butler fire, but I tend to think it's not up to date since it lists 3N14 as being closed and Hanna Flat campground is open (accessed from 3N14). I can call the Discovery Center to check on this later, but they're closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

I'm looking for verified info, not what you "think" is the status. Thank you.

[sebastian22]

I called and spoke to someone at the Discovery Center this morning, might want to try them.

[mpc]

Hmmm, looks like that's another thing that's incorrect on their web site. Web site says they're closed Wednesdays and Thursdays. When I called earlier today I just got a "beep, beep, beep". I just called back and got through. Not sure I really got my questions answered, but here's what she said;

"3N08 is open for Holcomb Valley, but not for Holcomb Creek."
"3N14 is closed from Hanna Flat north."

So I apparently can't access the west end of 3N08 which starts at 3N14 at the east end of 3N93. I also apparently can't access the west end of 3N17 (White Mountain) via the northwesterly end of 3N14.

Clear as mud.

[Mike]

Ha! Yeah, a friend of mine tried to tell the Rangers that there was a tree down on a trail that he just drove, and they kept telling him that he couldn't have been on that trail because it was closed! Unless it is Greg Hoffman or a select few, they really seem out of touch about the access to the forest.

3N08 is closed (both ends). 3N14 is open from Fawnskin to Hanna Flats. It is also open from the High Desert to Big Pine Campground. That means that access to White Mtn is no problem.

Butler peak is still closed, but access to Craft's Peak (the next peak to the west) is open.

I am very sure of these as of April. Since then, things might have changed, but I really doubt it because the areas that are closed are in the burn area.

I hope that this helps.

[GP4Play]

This was passed on to me from a Thread that Old Fart post today in Land use.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardin...ns/slide.shtml
Here's the Thread.
http://www.myjeeprocks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=14263

[mpc]

Yes, that helps. Thanks Mike.
Thanks for those links GP4Play. I've read that list from the SBNF web site already like I mentioned. That's the information I was trying to confirm. It seemed odd to me that I could make a reservation for Hanna Flat, but 3N14 is listed as closed. The website doesn't say where the exact closure is, but now I know.

Interesting that I was able to make a reservation a reservation for Hanna Flat for the Friday the 29th when their web site says it will be open on the 30th! I guess I'm just being too anal, but I don't want to drive up there with the whole family in tow on Friday and not be able to camp. Looks like I need to call the Ranger Station again.

[Old Fart]

Yes, 3N14 is still closed between Hanna Flats and Big Pine Flats.

[mpc]

Thanks Jeff.
I called the Discovery Center again this morning and the lady said Hanna Flat campground is open NOW.

[Old Fart]

Good (we need the money!)

[mpc]

Okay, looks like I've got my trails picked out for an upcoming trip. I was originally looking for some of the easier ones close to Hanna for my wife and kids, but they're closed.

I have a couple of questions:

1. I know the preferred direction for Gold Mountain is from south to north, but is it okay to run it north to south, then turn around and take it back north or is that a major faux pas that will get a bunch of people bent out of shape?

2. What is the preferred direction for White Mountain? I was tentatively planning on going all the way to the west end via 3N16 to 3N14 and running it west to east. Any problems to expect with that?

Thanks!

[Old Fart]

Normally, the predominant direction of travel on Gold Mountain is south to north, there's no issue running it "backwards" - but if it's busy you might have to wait and move around a bit for oncoming traffic (don't let anyone tell you they have the "right of way" because they're running south to north - USFS doesn't have an established direction of travel)

All the trails have a different "personality" when run in the opposite direction, I think everyone should try them. John Bull is really different W-E.

Most people run White Mountain West to East, you get all the hill climbs that way.

Have fun, take pictures!

[FishPOET]

... but if it's busy you might have to wait and move around a bit for oncoming traffic (don't let anyone tell you they have the "right of way" because they're running south to north - USFS doesn't have an established direction of travel)

Although the USFS does not have an established direction of travel, CA right of way laws still apply to all SBNF roads and trails.

When two vehicles meet on a steep road where neither can pass, the vehicle facing downhill must yield the right-of-way by backing up until the vehicle going uphill can pass. The vehicle facing downhill has the greater amount of control when backing.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/right_of_way.htm

Typically common sense prevails. Although I have been involved in one incident where a club had JB blocked for over 2 hours because they believed that having the right of way meant they could fix their junk in the middle of the trail rather than tugging it 25' to a widespot.