Forest Service orders PCT detour

Pacific Crest Trail Temporary Detour

San Bernardino, Calif., May 3, 2010 – Hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) will now have to detour through an alternate path around burned acres of the Lone Pine Canyon area of the San Bernardino National Forest. The 15.4-mile temporary detour begins at Forest Service Road 3N49 (PCT mile 344) and ends at the junction where Forest Service Road 3N31Y rejoins the existing PCT.

Approximately 12 miles of the existing PCT were damaged by the Sheep Fire in October 2009 and the subsequent rains. The fire burned approximately 7,100 acres, prompting a closure for the burn area for public safety concerns and protection of natural resources. The area will remain closed for at least one year to allow for vegetative recovery, which in turn will stabilize the soil for safer hiking and erosion control.

The public is prohibited from entering the burn area as per San Bernardino National Forest Order No.10-4 (www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/about/forder1004). PCT hikers should instead follow the detour on the map located at: www.pcta.org/pdf/sheep_fire_detour or www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino.

The Forest Service Order:

ORDER NO. 10-4
OCCUPANCY AND USE
SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the San Bernardino National Forest. This Order is effective from April 20, 2010 through October 3, 2010.

1. Going into or being upon the Sheep Fire Closure Area. The boundary of the Sheep Fire Closure Area begins at the south end of Sheep Canyon, then continues northwest to Mormon Rocks, then continues west to Circle Mountain, then continues south to intersection of 3N31 and the Pacific Crest Trail, then continues east back to the starting point, as shown on Exhibit A. 36 CFR 261.53(e).
   
2. Being on any National Forest System road within the Sheep Fire Closure Area, as shown on Exhibit A. 36 CFR 261.54(e).
   
3. Being on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, from its intersection with 3N49, then west to its intersection with 3N31, as shown on Exhibit A. 36 CFR 261.55(a).

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order

1. Owners or lessees of land within the area are exempt from the prohibitions listed above to the extent necessary to gain access to their land.
   
2. Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
   
3. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Done at San Bernardino, California, this 19th day of April, 2010..

_______________________________
JEANNE WADE EVANS
Forest Supervisor

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.