I just read an interesting magazine article on the North Face of San Jacinto
http://www.palmspringslife.com/Palm-Spr ... p-Beyond/#

Very Nice...

Cool article.

It is interesting that the article implies there is a bushwhack alternative to trespassing; is that for real, or is the alternate route over 5.x rock and through dense manzanita? Do you think volunteers could cut a trail through the brush?

The USFS is often not happy with people cutting trails. There is a route up the S side of Charleston Peak, NV, and the trail-less path gains about 5200', mainly through a narrow canyon. Since there is a perennial stream in the canyon, the brush is nearly impenetrable. A local fellow gathered up some volunteers to make a single, defined trail by cutting brush and cairning the route for the first 1.5 miles. Currently there are about 5 braided, eroding herdpaths. The USFS got wind of the plans, and forbade him to cut brush.

So I guess that if you want to clear a trail on USFS land, keep your plans close to the chest.

MoapaPk wrote:Cool article.

It is interesting that the article implies there is a bushwhack alternative to trespassing; is that for real, or is the alternate route over 5.x rock and through dense manzanita? Do you think volunteers could cut a trail through the brush?

The USFS is often not happy with people cutting trails. There is a route up the S side of Charleston Peak, NV, and the trail-less path gains about 5200', mainly through a narrow canyon. Since there is a perennial stream in the canyon, the brush is nearly impenetrable. A local fellow gathered up some volunteers to make a single, defined trail by cutting brush and cairning the route for the first 1.5 miles. Currently there are about 5 braided, eroding herdpaths. The USFS got wind of the plans, and forbade him to cut brush.

So I guess that if you want to clear a trail on USFS land, keep your plans close to the chest.

When I was there last Spring with Miguel (I know, who <i>wasn't</i>), we came across an older feller camped just below the snow tongue. Forgot his name, but he'd been working on the all-legal bushwhack route, cuttin' and trimmin' things into shape. The only problem as I recall is it involves some extra miles and a 2,000-foot descent. Which makes most of us want to still take our chances with DWA guard.

(btw, the article can't be any good if they refer to "Mt. Denali")

LOL -- Mt. Denali.

Denali has two big, distinct summits, so if you go there, you're going to the Denalis.

(Sierras?)

Bob Burd wrote: The only problem as I recall is it involves some extra miles and a 2,000-foot descent.

Seems to me that selective use of high explosives might allow a better alternative route; it might even fit in with the MYLF plans.

I didn't know of the alternate route... maybe that's the way to go. The water authority wouldn't even grant access to RMRU to hike up to retrieve rescue gear, that's how anal they are.