PDA

View Full Version : Fire restrictions now in place in the San Juan National Forest



bearcreek
07-01-2013, 18:02
http://www.ksut.org/post/san-juan-national-forest-upgrades-fire-restrictions

Fire restrictions have been upgraded in the San Juan Forest. This means no open fires except in approved fire rings in campgrounds. Alcohol stoves are now effectively banned. (Pressurized gas stoves with a on/off control valve are ok.)

Mags
07-01-2013, 22:39
...and related is the CTF post of the alt route for the San Juans

MAP - http://goo.gl/maps/EKGNW (thanks, in part, to Facebook poster Eli)

CIRCUMSTANCES - This fire walk-around allows travelers to connect their CT 'thru' and avoid fire-closed CT Segments 21-23 and 24 mile 0-6.4. The walk-around and missed sections of the CT are both about 100 miles, so folks who hike/bike/horse around will still be eligible for CT completion certificates. The fires currently burning (zero percent containment, July 1) are known as the West Fork Complex and authorities think it's likely they'll burn weeks, if not months, longer. Risks are high and the US Forest Service has closed a gigantic part of the National Forests.

ROUTE SUMMARY - The fire walk-around starts at CT Segment 18 mile 12.25 and travels farther from the fires, North then West, near Lake City. Beyond, farther West then South, it passes through Silverton before reconnecting with CT Segment 25 mile 0 atop Molas Pass. The traffic on the first half is very low, second half traffic is higher because it is the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway popular with jeepers and others riding motorized vehicles.

FIRST HALF - The first half of the walk-around appears as the Bicycle Detour Around the La Garita Wilderness in the current editions of the official CT guides. See Guidebook 8, pages 200-201. See Databook 5, pages 84-85. See Map Book 7.01, pages 86-89.

WATER - Water along the walk is reportedly fairly plentiful for long distance travelers. The route crests 3 passes, Los Piņos, Slumgullion and Cinnamon. Users will want to 'tank up' beforehand, especially on Los Piņos where it may be driest.

SEGMENTS 19 & 20 - Today (July 1) these segments are not currently listed as closed and they are probably hikeable. BUT, continuing westward into Segments 19 & 20 will probably make it harder for a traveler to exit the CT northward (farther from the risks of these huge fires). The CTF has not detailed the exit points in these segments because we lack route and water information important to travelers. One report indicates a hazard notice has been posted on the Eddiesville Trailhead signpost detailing the closures ahead.

ROUTE DETAILS - see printable map + google roads description at
http://www.coloradotrail.org/forms/FireWalkAroundMapPlusGoogleDesc.pdf

EdwardH
07-05-2013, 15:11
The trail appears to be opening up a little in the San Juan's.

http://www.trailforums.com/index2.cfm?action=detail&PostNum=62480&Thread=1&roomID=13&entryID=146120

The Bearcreek .gpx and .pdf are very useful.

I guestimated these distances...

Assume Gunnison resupply - from Lujan Pass:

Around 58 miles to a Lake City resupply (Moderate, according to the oracle Mags).

Then around 55 miles to Molas Pass (Silverton resupply).

Don't trust my distances - all I have is Google Maps; no Colorado Topo....