Portions of the San Jacinto Mountains that have been closed more than two weeks due to the 43-square-mile fire and burned area near Idyllwild and Lake Hemet are scheduled to be formally re-opened by state and federal officials, the Forest Service announced Wednesdsay.
Here's part of the USFS statement released July 31:
US Forest Service and California State Park officials plan to re-open portions of the San Jacinto Mountains on Thursday, August 1 on the National Forest and Friday, August 2 on the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The areas were closed as a result of the Mountain Fire that started on July 15 and burned 27,531 acres.
The areas slated to reopen include all areas of the National Forest north of the San Jacinto State Park, including Marion Mountain, Seven Pines and the Deer Springs trails, and Lake Fulmor. Marion Mountain, Dark Canyon, Boulder Basin and Black Mountain and Fern Basin campgrounds will also re-open.
People who pay to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tram will able to visit the Long Valley area, but "they will not be allowed to hike into the remainder of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park," according to the Forest Service.
More info direct from the USFS statement:
Mt. San Jacinto State Park plans to open Little Round Valley Camp, Strawberry Junction Camp and the areas west of the Deer Springs Trail.
The Pacific Crest Trail will remain closed from Strawberry Camp / Strawberry Junction to State Highway 74 in Garner Valley. Through hikers will need to detour the fire area using either Marion Mountain or Deer Springs trail, to State Highway 243 and State Highway 74.
Forest and park officials plan to re-evaluate closure areas over the coming weeks to identify other areas that may be eligible to re-open as safety and resource protection concerns are addressed.
For more info call Mt. San Jacinto State Park at (951) 569- 2607 or the San Jacinto Ranger District at (909) 382-2921.
The Mountain Fire, which broke out July 15 due to an electrical equipment failure on private property in the Mountain Center area, was declared 100 percent contained Tuesday July 30. The estimated cost of fighting the fire and dealing with its aftermath has risen to more than $25 million.
For more about the fire and links to previous coverage click the following:
Mountain Fire Declared 100 Percent Contained
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