Bear Creek / Camp Nelson Trail

My suggestion: Get off your ass and go take a look for yourself!
Just sayin'.......

 

I think the report from Erin is about as good as you're gonna get. I haven't talked to Jeff in quite a while....

 

Dooooooooood....
Don't harsh my mellow....

 

I spoke to a few people who were just ip there and its in Excellent condition.

 

I want names, numbers, addresses, and their first born as collateral! hee hee..

 

He's going on 20, and he eats a lot. You're welcome to him!

I'll watch this thread, but logistics will probably get in the way...

 

No thanks...

...and your presence is NOT an option.
The Grand F.U.B.A.R. has spoken!

 

I can but they are part of the secret witness program.

 

Ahh!
The TWPA, Trail Witness Protection Act of 2003. Of course. Say no more... I understand.

 

Hey guys, sorry for being MIA. We are having an epic whitewater season on the Kern so I haven't been on my bike in months. I can't tell you what the Bear Creek trail conditions are right now. I can tell you that I haven't worked on it and last year I was basically the only one who did. I will see what I can find out.

 

I talked to Shidan who used to live up there and do a lot of trailwork with me. He was in town last week and rode Bear Creek. He said it was not as bad as he was expecting but there were plenty of downed trees and debris on the trail. I will get up there at some point to clean it up but I'm not sure exactly when. A later date for your trip would increase the probability that it is clear. He also said that the Camp Nelson Trail is in good shape.

 

Your dee man!

 

Thanks Jeff!
Let us know when you go up to do some trailwork. I would like to shake free of work and help if possible.
Thanks man!

 

Hey guys, I have some Bear Creek news. I went up on Sunday and did some trail work. I removed around 15-20 trees on the top 1/3 of the trail. For those who know the trail I cleared the initial climb, the first downhill section, the second shorter climb, them started down the main downhill section for a short distance before I ran out of gas for the chainsaw. I haven't ridden it yet so I'm not sure what condition the rest of it is in. I will get back up there to finish it up in a few weeks.

 

Wow! I was thinking that trail would disapear. Are you riding a moto to get to it? BTW that is one of the best trails I have ever riddin! Beautiful up there!

 

My HERO!! Now I just need to get my ass up there!

Thanks dude!

 

Ahh Geeze Jeff! Hollar!
I,would drive up to help you. Sure a couple other guys would as well.
Thanks man!
Mikie

 

Just saw this posted. Last report was 1500 acres so far.

#PierFire - Sequoia National Forest - Highway 190 is currently closed between Balch Park turnoff above Springville, and Fox road along the Western Divide Highway below Ponderosa. Several communities near Camp Nelson are in the process of being evacuated while fire managers take action to suppress this fire. U.S. Forest Service and Tulare County Fire Department are in unified command at this time.
The following communities are under a mandatory evacuation order: Pierpoint Springs, Wishon, Doyle Springs, Alpine, Sequoia Crest, Cedar Slope, and Camp Nelson. Ponderosa remains under a voluntary evacuation advisory. All residents who are evacuating are advised to use east bound Highway 190 to the Western Divide Highway.
Evacuation Center: Porterville College at the Student Conference Center, located at 100 East College Avenue in Porterville.
An Incident Command Team has been ordered. The cause of the fire is under investigation. For more information, please call 559-539-2607 ext. 2292

 

Wow, that's scary for those folks up there.

 

Aye yai yai!

 

That sucks. There are some giant trees there. "Trail of 100 giants" is near there

 

Update on the Pier fire burning near Camp Nelson. The fire grew overnight to over 3500 acres and is only 2.5 miles from Camp Nelson. Fortunately the fire burned mostly south and north but Camp Nelson is up the canyon from the fire and the mountains are thick with dead trees. 0% containment.

 

Fire helps giant sequoias in many ways. Small, green cones full of seeds awaiting germination grow near the crown of the trees, yet without fire or insects to crack open the cone, the seeds remain trapped inside. Green cones can live with viable seeds inside them for up to twenty years. Fire dries out the cones, enabling them to crack open and deposit their seeds on the forest floor.

The trees will be fine. It's the people that build in those areas that are in trouble.

 

Any chance of doing this ride this weekend Mikie? Sounds like the right location to escape the heat. I'd be up for Saturday, Sunday, or Monday and even a couple days with camping out.

 

@jfsh , I'm a whitewater paddler too but haven't found folks out on this coast to paddle with. I paddle class 3 and 4 including creeks back east. Let me know what the Kern is like and if you are headed out this weekend I'd love to join you. I can bring my boat and bike so if a ride materializes I'll do both.

 

Hey Mike,
I got to stay local this weekend. There is rumor of fire up there, so may not be a good choice. I really look forward to meeting and riding with you!

@jfsh is one outstanding dude, and has good friends up in Kernville to paddle with. I put an @ symbol in front of jfsh in your post so as to "alert" Jeff of your post.

If you send him a "conversation" it will send him an email automatically.

 

Hi Ed ,
Do you have an update on the fire?

 

It shows almost 24,000 acres and 30% contained. They say it was started by a stolen car that was set on fire.

 

Pissr not looking good.

 

For anyone planning to head up there, don't... there is a Forest Service closure of trails and roads near the fire. This includes trails around Camp Nelson and Quaking Aspen. Summit trail is closed and is the boundary of the closure area.

Map: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/CAS...-Fire/related_files/pict20170801-180907-0.pdf

See updates on the fire here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5548/