Tag Archives: Pacific Crest Trail

Avoiding the Pacific Crest Trail

August 4, 2013Backpack Trip ReportPacific Crest Trail, PCT, San Jacinto FireNick Gatel

A WEEKEND HIKE TO ASSESS THE SAN JACINTO FIRE DAMAGE

In the summer I do a lot of hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail south of the San Jacinto Wilderness. Because it is hot this time of year and there is little water available, most hikers avoid this part of the trail. Since this area is usually 20 degree cooler than where I live, and there are few hikers, it is an excellent destination for me.

Unfortunately most of this section was burned in the San Jacinto Fire a couple weeks ago. Right now the PCT is closed from Highway 74 north, past the San Jacinto State Park Wilderness, a 50 mile long section of trail. From what I could see on this hike, and the fire I observed from my house a couple weeks ago, I would not be surprised if this section (or parts of it) are closed for several years.

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San Jacinto Fire Update

July 21, 2013General TalkBonita Vista Fire, Pacific Crest Trail, Palm Springs Fire, PCT, San Jacinto FireNick Gatel

RAIN.

The San Jacintos are shrouded in clouds. A light rain fell overnight, dropping 0.78 inches of rain on the desert floor overnight. Good news. Hopefully any additional rain will be light, so our fire fighters are not endangered by flash floods. A flash flood warning is in place for the desert.

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Fire on the Mountain

July 18, 2013General TalkBonita Vista Fire, Fire, Pacific Crest Trail, Palm Springs Fire, PCT, San Jacinto FireNick Gatel

smaller DSC00882 — Fire has moved from the west side of the San Jacintos, crested the ridge and is now heading east. View from Palm Springs, CA.

On Monday morning, July 15th, a fire started on private property in the Apple Canyon area, which is just west of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) along the section known as the Desert Divide. The Desert Divide is part of the San Jacinto Wilderness, and the mountain creates the desert on the east side, which is the Palm Springs area.