Some Angeles National Forest trails closed by Station fire to reopen

 

The Angeles National Forest announced Thursday that it will reopen about 98,000 acres of forest that has been closed since the 2009 Station fire. As I reported in Outposts on April 1, forest officials have been doing public outreach and relying a lot on volunteers to clear out invasive species as part of the forest restoration. Shown above is a hillside in the San Gabriel Mountains that burned in the fire and was adorned with wildflowers in spring 2010 -- proof that this fire-adapted ecosystem can rebound.

Areas that will reopen include Charlton Flat Picnic Area, Gould Mesa Campground, Bear Canyon Trail, Paul Little Picnic Area, Mill Creek Summit Picnic Area, Silver Moccasin Trail, Sunset Ridge Trail, Indian Canyon Trailhead, Canteen Trail and the entire San Gabriel Wilderness area. Forest officials say more than 100 miles of hiking trails are being reopened.

In addition, the U.S. Forest Service announced that the portion of the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through the forest will reopen, with some minor reroutes. This is good news for PCT thru-hikers, who had a roughly 40-mile detour last summer.

Hikers should also be thrilled that the Angeles National Forest has finally posted a high-resolution zoomable map showing the closure area (frame grab image at right). A word of warning: Downloading the map can be excruciatingly slow; I found it quicker to just use the online zoom feature.

Check the Angeles National Forest website for the latest Station fire restoration updates.

-- Julie Sheer

Photo credit: Julie Sheer. Map credit: Angeles National Forest

Angeles National Forest trails update, post-Station fire

A few of the most popular trails in the Angeles National Forest front country that were damaged by the 2009 Station fire may reopen by Memorial Day, according to acting forest supervisor Marty Dumpis at a recent event on the forest's recovery. That's nearly two years after the fire burned more than 160,000 acres and damaged 250 miles of trails. I wouldn't pencil in that Memorial Day hike just yet, though.

Dumpis and Angeles trails program manager Andrew Fish spoke to a full house at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center during the Sierra Club-sponsored event (at right). They detailed the challenges of trying to balance ecological integrity in the most-visited national forest in the U.S., noting that forest recovery is a 3-5-year process. Some of the trails that MIGHT reopen by Memorial Day include:

* Mt. Lowe Camp and fire road

* Gabrielino Trail from Red Box to Newcomb Pass

* Silver Moccasin Trail from Charlton Flat to Highway 2

In the Mt. Lowe area, the Sunset Ridge Trail MAY open this year, and Fish is hoping the Mueller Tunnel will open in the fall. Also targeted to open later this year, said Fish, is the lower Arroyo/Gabrielino Trail, from the trailhead near JPL to the first check dam at the Paul Little picnic area. I can attest that this trail in particular is a real mess, but people are still hiking it illegally.

What has to happen before trails can be rebuilt? Imagine the mother of all backyard weeding projects. Ongoing work includes removing invasive plants, which are thriving in streambeds and along the 130 miles of "line" bulldozed during the firefight; restoring habitat destroyed by the fire and subsequent rains; and replanting trees. About 110 miles of trail have been assessed and repaired so far.

So what's the holdup? In two words: manpower and money.

Station Fire recovery program

Have you been wondering how the plants and critters in the Angeles National Forest have been recovering from the 2009 Station Fire, and when you'll be able to hike in the forest again? If so, plan on attending "Recovering From the Station Fire: The 2011 Update" Wednesday night at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena.

The program is being sponsored by the Forest Committee for the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter and will be presented by Angeles National Forest Acting Supervisor Marty Dumpis. Topics scheduled to be covered include preventing the invasion of non-native plant species and an update on areas that will be reopened to hiking, hopefully this summer and fall.

The fire in August 2009 burned more than 160,000 acres, and most of the forest and Angeles Crest Highway have been closed to the public ever since. The most recent closure order on the Angeles National Forest website says trails are still closed and entrance to the recovery area is prohibited, except for the Red Box Day Use Area, Hidden Springs Day Use Area and Monte Cristo Campground.

The program Wednesday is at 7:30 p.m., with a reception at 7 p.m. It's open to the public and will be at Eaton Canyon Nature Center, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena.

—Julie Sheer

Photo: A hillside in bloom in May 2010, on a wildfire recovery hike in the Hall-Beckley canyon area near La Cañada-Flintridge. Credit: Julie Sheer

Outdoor Life magazine introduces Outdoor Life Survival website

Outdoor Life magazine recently announced the launch of Outdoor Life Survival, a new website chock-full of informative and possibly useful topical survival news, advice and tips for outdoorsmen, travelers and urban dwellers.

With more than 20 years experience studying survival skills and primitive technologies, survival expert and instructor Tim MacWelch -- the site's lead contributor -- will share strategies on all aspects of sustaining oneself in the wild through photo galleries, videos and how-to guides, as well as frequent postings to the site's new Survivalist blog.

Outdoor Life Survival's content is divided into five sections, designed to provide ideas and solutions for almost any survival situation:

Wilderness, focusing on classic outdoor and wildlife dangers, including surviving animal attacks and bites, extreme weather and finding safe wild food sources;

Urban, which addresses skills such as burglar-proofing a home, freeing a stuck car from ice or mud and creating a family emergency plan;

Conflict, offering tips on staying safe abroad and protecting yourself in dangerous situations;

Disasters, which focuses on preparing for and surviving hurricanes, floods, blizzards and other natural catastrophes;

Gear, a resource for the best in survival essentials such as knives, watches, food and survival kits.

"The essential skills for survival are no longer just the purview of those who love the outdoors," said Todd Smith, editor-in-chief of Outdoor Life magazine. "With unpredictable weather, global unrest and even the increasing congestion in our cities, the tactics that have long kept outdoorsmen safe are of interest to a general audience. OL Survival channels the expertise of top survivalists into tips anyone can use to be prepared and stay safe, whether they're on a wilderness adventure or close to home."

Other features of the site include a forum where visitors can post questions and receive answers from Outdoor Life experts and fellow online members, and a gallery offering readers the opportunity to share their survival tales and photos.

-- Kelly Burgess

twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Image courtesy of Outdoor Life

Post-Station Fire wildflower hike

"All is not lost!" proclaimed the leader of a recent California Native Plant Society and Sierra Club hike in the Station Fire burn area bordering the Angeles National Forest. She meant the return of mountain flora after last year's wildfire that burned 250 square miles, the largest fire in L.A. County history. Sure enough, there were carpets of purple phacelia and other colorful "fire followers" amidst the scorched hillsides and blackened skeletons of chaparral in Hall Beckley Canyon Recreation Area above La Canada. Chemicals from the ash and smoke helped nurture the bloom.

If you want to see this show, do so quickly because the flowers are only expected to last into early June. Here's what was blooming: large-flowered phacelia (which only pops up the season after a wildfire), caterpillar phacelia, Canterbury bells, datura, morning glory, California evening primrose, woolly blue curls, Indian pink, lupine, prickly phlox, California poppies, deerweed and more.

The trail starts on Palm Drive near the corner of La Sierra Drive and leads to the forest boundary and eventually to Mt. Lukens (in about 8 miles). It's hot and exposed, but try to make it at least to the water tank, several miles in (no good trail map exists as far as I know). At one point the trail squeezes between several-foot high phacelia (shown above).

Don't venture into the Angeles National Forest unless you want to pay a hefty fine. The forest is still officially closed and fines range from $5,000 for an individual to $10,000 for a group. The forest website has a memo describing the Station Fire closure, which is expected to continue through September.

For more information on wildflowers, check out Theodore Payne's Wildflower Hotline at (818) 768-3533, which usually only posts updates through May.

—Julie Sheer

Photos by Julie Sheer/Los Angeles Times

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Chilean fisherman offering tsunami-area boat tours

Fishermen in the Chilean port city of Talcahuano have been struggling to make ends meet since a tsunami hit the area after a massive earthquake on Feb. 27, damaging ports and washing fishing boats ashore.

While port authorities work to lift stranded vessels out of the streets of the city, located 300 miles south of Santiago, one fishing boat captain has found an alternative way to make some money -- by taking tourists on boat tours of the devastation.

Sergio Rodriguez told Chilean news program "24 Horas" that the idea began as "a semi-sarcastic way of inviting people for a cruise and showing them what happened."

In recent weeks, Rodriguez has sold more than 600 tickets, at $3 each, for his daily tours.

Though some area residents are dismayed at the way Rodriguez has turned tragedy into opportunity, the captain said that his boat tours are his best chance to "keep some cash in Talcahuano."

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Boats lie marooned near the coast in Talcahuano after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile, triggering a tsunami that hit coastal communities. Credit: Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press

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Sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet collects almost 1 million pairs of shoes for Haiti relief effort

Sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet and shoe charity Soles4Souls joined forces Jan. 15 in an effort to collect footwear for victims of last month's devastating earthquake in Haiti.

In less than two weeks, more than 950,000 pairs of gently worn men's, women's and children's shoes were dropped off at Sport Chalet’s 55 stores.

"We are simply floored by the overwhelming support that our partners at Sport Chalet have received,” Wayne Elsey, founder and chief executive of Soles4Souls, said in a statement. “Their donations will be used to bring hope to the people of Haiti as they struggle to rebuild their lives. We are proud of the public for stepping up to help those less fortunate."

Sport Chalet originally set a goal of collecting 55,000 pairs of shoes, with Soles4Souls aiming for a national goal of 250,000. After the first three days of the footwear drive, Sport Chalet had collected nearly 70,000 pairs, and decided to increase their goal to 250,000.

"Our customers are the best," said Craig Levra, chairman and CEO of Sport Chalet. "They have proven, in an overwhelming fashion, that they are truly generous people who gave from their hearts. We had children, communities, schools, businesses and local organizations all rallying to donate their new and gently worn shoes. Their outpouring of support for the besieged residents of Haiti is unbelievable, and we are very grateful that we could help."

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Sneakers for sale at Sports Chalet in Costa Mesa. Credit: Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times

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Sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet and shoe charity Soles4Souls partner for Haitian relief efforts

San Diego cycling event to benefit Haiti relief efforts

An 80-mile cycling event to benefit Haiti earthquake relief efforts will be held in southeastern San Diego County on Saturday, Feb. 6.

The "80 for Haiti" charity ride will begin and end at Pine Valley County Park, about 45 miles east of San Diego. The course will take participants along Old Highway 80, a quiet, traffic-signal-free route on rolling terrain.

Event organizer AdventureCORPS will donate all entry fees received to Mercy Corps, which will use the proceeds for their Haiti relief efforts. A Mercy Corps earthquake response team is in Port-au-Prince responding to urgent needs.

Those interested in riding must pre-register for the event by Jan. 31. However, monetary donations will be gladly accepted after this date.

The entry fee is $80; you can choose to donate a higher amount when registering. Entry fee includes three food and drink checkpoints along the route, roving support, and, hopefully, a finish line meal.

Riders must plan on checking in at the park between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Walk-up registrations will not be allowed. Groups of 50 cyclists will depart in 10-minute intervals beginning at 8 a.m.

For more information on what to bring, where to stay, etc., visit the AdventureCORPS "80 for Haiti" webpage.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Mission Viejo cyclists are silhouetted by the setting sun. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Follow this blog on Twitter: @latimesoutposts

Sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet and shoe charity Soles4Souls partner for Haitian relief efforts

Sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet and shoe charity Soles4Souls have joined forces in an effort to collect footwear for victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Sport Chalet will help collect footwear to support Soles4Souls’ commitment to donate more than 250,000 pairs of shoes to affected areas. Beginning today through Jan. 31, customers at Sport Chalet’s 55 stores will have the opportunity to drop off gently worn pairs of men's, women's and children's shoes. 

"Being reminded of how fragile our world is, and seeing the devastation that has affected so many, makes it evident that our continued partnership with charities like Soles4Souls is more relevant than ever," Craig Levra, Chairman and CEO of Sport Chalet, said in a press release.

"With 55 Sport Chalet drop-off locations in four states, we are asking our customers, our employees, and our vendors to stop by and donate their gently worn shoes for those so tragically affected by the earthquake in Haiti," continued Levra. "Since we live with this same threat every day, it is a natural response for Sport Chalet  to help, and we are so pleased to be able to do so."

All the shoes collected will be sent directly to Soles4Souls, a Nashville-based charity, for distribution to people in Haiti.

Skiers, and then rescue party, hit by avalanches in Swiss Alps

At least four people, including one rescuer, have died after two avalanches in the Swiss Alps.

A group of skiers was buried by an avalanche midday Sunday while skiing in Diemtig Valley, about 25 miles south of Bern, Switzerland. Rescuers who arrived shortly thereafter were then hit by a second snowslide.

Bern Cantonal police spokeswoman Ursula Stauffer told the Associated Press that eight people were pulled from the snow alive, but three -- two skiers and one rescue doctor -- later died in the hospital. The body of another skier was recovered, and three are still missing.

A massive search-and-rescue operation involving 100 rescuers and eight helicopters was launched in an attempt to find the skiers and rescuers still missing, but efforts are being hampered by fog and snowfall.

"Rescuers haven't been able to resume their search today because the helicopter can't get close to the site due to the bad weather," Stauffer said.

Officials had warned of the danger of avalanches in the Swiss Alps due to recent heavy snowfall.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Rescue workers at the site where two avalanches came down a mountainside in the Swiss Alps. Credit: Associated Press / Keystone, Bern Cantonal Police

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Search effort for missing climbers on Mt. Hood suspended; becomes recovery mission

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office announced this afternoon that the search for two climbers that have been missing on Oregon's 11,249-foot Mt. Hood since Friday has been suspended and is now being handled as a recovery effort.

"One of the most difficult decisions I have to make as Sheriff is the decision to suspend search operations. I have consulted with all of the search-and-rescue experts at my disposal, along with the family members of Katie Nolan and Anthony Vietta, and have made the decision to suspect search operations at this time," Sheriff Craig Roberts said in a news release.

"My condolences go out to all the family and friends of Luke Gullberg, Katie Nolan and Anthony Vietti. I would like to thank all of the search-and-rescue personnel for the many hours they have spent on this search and others. Without these dedicated individuals, we could not perform difficult missions."

Avalanche danger and severe weather has kept search and rescue teams from reaching the area where  24-year-old Anthony Vietti, of Longview, Wash., and 29-year-old Katie Nolan, of Portland, Ore., are believed to be.

The climbers' families praised the efforts of search and rescue teams at a news conference today, reports Oregon Fox Television affiliate KPTV.

"They have risked their lives," David Nolan, Katie's father, said. "They have sacrificed time with their family and children. These guys have courage and valor."

--Kelly Burgess

Photo: A helicopter flies past Mt. Hood's Crater Rock on Sunday in search of two missing climbers. Credit: Don Ryan / Associated Press

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Officials say chances are slim that missing Mt. Hood climbers are still alive

Severe weather may halt search for missing Mt. Hood climbers

Poor weather, avalanche danger hamper search for missing Mt. Hood climbers

Officials say chances are slim that missing Mt. Hood climbers are still alive

Officials believe it is unlikely that the two climbers missing since Friday on Oregon's Mt. Hood are alive, reports Oregon Fox Television affiliate KPTV.

An authority on mountain survival spoke with family members of the missing climbers Tuesday and told them that the possibility of Katie Nolan, 29, of Portland, Ore., and Anthony Vietti, 24, of Longview, Wash., surviving conditions on the 11,249-foot mountain for this many days is exceedingly slim.

"Unfortunately, in this case, time is no longer in our favor," Terri Schmidt, a Oregon Health & Science University hypothermia expert, said later at a news conference. "What we know is after 48 hours, the chances of finding someone alive after that go down to about 1%."

Rescue workers are still on standby, but whiteout conditions and the risk of avalanche made any search effort impossible Tuesday and unlikely in the coming days. 

Portland Mountain Rescue team leader Steve Rollins said it would take four or five days of good weather to ease avalanche danger, and such weather on Mt. Hood at this time of year is unlikely.