null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on Oct 31, 2015 7:18:20 GMT -8
Does anyone know whether there are any fires in the San Rafael Wilderness?
How about the water levels in the Lower Sisquoc?
Toejam?
Thanks,
Steve
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Oct 31, 2015 11:02:22 GMT -8
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null
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Post by null on Nov 1, 2015 13:06:55 GMT -8
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Nov 7, 2015 8:01:32 GMT -8
That's my trail report on the Lower Sisquoc from last year when we had very little rain. There was a lot of water in the Sisquoc, but it didn't continue to the Schoolhouse. There have been a few rain storms in the last month and I saw pictures of water flowing on a remote, higher elevation trail last weekend. The creeks higher up in the mountains usually start flowing in November even if there isn't rain because the vegetation uses less of it. I'm encouraged by the water I found on an overnighter a couple weeks ago. So I think the prognosis is good. The Lower Sisquoc gets so little traffic it's hard to find recent info, but the last couple of dry years when I've headed up there Nov - Feb there has been water (a lot more in Feb than Nov). I'm hoping to get some guys to go up there with me next month or the next for light lopping and flagging. Let me know if you need more info. And there haven't been fires in the San Rafael Wld. this year - www.fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/home inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/5/ |
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Nov 17, 2015 5:39:53 GMT -8
I got chased off the mountain by rain while on a trail maintenance project Sunday. The water report is showing water at higher elevations. I'll see the lower Sisquoc weekend after next.
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null
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Post by null on Nov 29, 2015 11:31:23 GMT -8
Well I was there just before you got chased off the mountain by rain. There was actually pools of water at White Ledges and a pool at Ray's. Lots of high quality water at Manzana Narrows and a good amount at Big Cone Spruce. I ended up doing a modified out and back to Lonnie Davis because the water report for the lower Sisquoc seemed so dire.
In 2017, I want to do a loop trip out to Bear. The trail beyond Big Cone Spruce deteriorated rapidly so who knows what's out there? I can totally appreciate all the trail maintenance you do. As I walked, I did what I could to break up branches blocking the trail or moving blowdowns (if I could).
Thanks for all your help, I understand the area a lot better now.
Steve
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Nov 30, 2015 5:47:38 GMT -8
Past Big Cone Spruce the trail climbs steeply to the ridge, but it's kinda hard to follow along the creek. Was the first place I got lost in that wilderness. On the ridge you catch the trail going over San Rafael Mtn to Mission Pine Spring, Mission Pine Basin, and West Big Pine Mtn. That trail was worked last year. I've camped at Mission Pine Spring at close to 6000' in January & February, but sometimes it gets a lot of snow. Then drop into the Bear Camps on the headwaters of the Sisquoc. Upper bear is the best of the bunch, but once I wouldn't camp there because it gave me the creeps - felt like the bears didn't want me there. Cottonwood is the best camp on the Upper Sisquoc. Then on to South Fork and you can take the long way back down the Sisquoc or shorter way down Manzana Creek. I did that bigger loop a few years ago - would love to do it again. Pictures - picasaweb.google.com/toejamhikes/BigSisquocLoop?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCP-Kzd3osZnyMw&feat=directlinkI'm sure there is a little water on the lower Sisquoc right now, but not much of it. How was the water at Lonnie Davis? |
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null
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Post by null on Dec 5, 2015 10:03:56 GMT -8
Hey quick question ToeJam:
A friend of mine wants to do some trail maintenance and I recommended the LPNF. Do you have anything to do with organizing that? How can I reach you off of the Backpacker forums? You can email me at steve (at) fitpacking.com
Thanks,
Steve
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Dec 7, 2015 13:48:06 GMT -8
E-mail sent.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Dec 19, 2015 16:57:40 GMT -8
For the purpose of public information, the organization I most often do trail projects with is Los Padres Forest Association ( lpforest.org). I've organized a few projects, but usually someone more gung ho than me beats me to it. Check the events calendar on the web page - there are some classic wilderness trail projects scheduled for the spring. |
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jan 5, 2016 18:46:04 GMT -8
I got a trip in Jan. 1 with some friends. Was surprised at how bad Big Cone Spruce trail is. There was good water at most of the usual places, but we got another 1-2" today and more this week. Pictures
Gonna be a lot of trails that need clearing this spring. |
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jun 29, 2016 4:50:54 GMT -8
Here is a link to an interesting story about a woman hiking the Lower Sisquoc Loop. She did a good job capturing some of the scenery and feel in her video. I hiked that loop the opposite direction the week before her trip and managed to stay on the trail most of the time. She had no business bringing that little city dog out there. askirtinthedirt.com/archives/6731 |
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