Current Conditions

[John]

Oh man, no driving down Beasore for 120 days? That will be really inconvenient to get to the Balls.

[John]

Holy crap, I just re-read the FS warning about paving work and if I read it right they are paving all the way to about Bowler Camp!!!!

Edit: Doy, I mixed the details of the Beasore and Minarets roadwork.

[daniel banquo merrick]

This is the map from Sierra News Online.

[John]

Then I did read it wrong, I confused the Beasore and Minarets roadwork..duh. I thought both warnings were for Beasore. I would be a little bummed if they paved Beasore for some reason.

They sure maintain Minarets well, don't they? Beasore had pavement at one time, there's remnants here and there still. Mainly forming the worst potholes.

[daniel banquo merrick]

Going up tomorrow and thinking a campfire might be nice. The website says Bowler is closed - has anybody checked? Any suggestions? Send me an email if you don't want to post.

[John]

Bowler has had plenty of people staying there this season. Maybe tree work?

[mungeclimber]

No campfires, but...

Sierra National Forest Recreation Update: June 18, 2020

Recreation Sites & Campgrounds:
The following recreation sites are now open as of June 18, 2020:

Bass Lake Ranger District:
• Wishon Boating Site
• The Falls Picnic Site
• Lakeside Picnic Site
• Denver Church Picnic Site
• Little Denver Church Picnic Site
• Rocky Point Picnic Site
• Willow Cove Picnic Area
• Recreation Point Picnic Site
• Pine Point Picnic Site
• Cranberry Flat Picnic Site
• Indian Flat Picnic Site
• McClendon Beach Picnic Site
• Redbud Picnic Site
• Forks Campground
• Lupine Campground
• Cedar Campground
• Spring Cove Campground
• Wishon Campground
• Summerdale Campground
• Dirt Flat Campground
• Dry Gulch Campground
• Chilkoot Campground
• Fish Creek Campground
• Soda Springs Campground
• Sweetwater Campground
• Greys Mountain Campground
• Soquel Campground
• Fresno Dome Campground
• Kelty Meadow Campground

High Sierra Ranger District:
• Huntington Boat Launch
• Billy Creek Picnic Site
• Dowville Day Use
• Dinkey Creek Campground
• Buck Meadow Campground
• Mono Hot Springs Campground
• Mono Creek Campground
• Vermillion Campground
• Portal Forebay Campground
• Ward Lake Campground

For more information please follow link provided - https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/news-events/…

[mungeclimber]

FYI -The construction efforts to replace the Upper Chiquito Bridge have been postponed until after the 4th of July weekend. The contractor plans to mobilize Phase 2 work and begin replacement Monday July 6th, 2020.

During this phase of construction, Beasore Road will not be passable starting at the Upper Chiquito Bridge for approximately 120 days and the use of alternate routes during this period will be necessary.

One of the alternate routes, FS Road 6S01-Grizzly Road thru to FS Road 4S81 (Minarets Road) will also have road construction taking place during the same time period but, will not be closed to traffic. Drivers in the Grizzly/Minarets Road area can expect some minimal delays. These minimal delays are expected mostly during the chip-sealing portion of the construction on FS Road 4S81 (Minarets Road). The road work on FS Road 4S81 (Minarets Road) will take place between Mile Post 11 - Mile Post 23.

All drivers are reminded to obey all traffic laws in the designated construction zones, and speed limits. Please plan accordingly before your visit to the SNF.
For more information on this project and alternate routes through the forest please contact the Bass Lake Ranger District at 559-877-2218.

Photos: USFS/Sierra National Forest(file)

[susan]

I wonder if they are still on schedule for road work that’ll block access to the balls via Beasore beginning today or not or if there’s another Work delay. Anyone know? Gonna miss that way in for quite a while!

[mike a]

Morning, talk to a ranger Sunday about the Chiquito creek bridge and her said this week work starts!

[splitclimber]

I was up that way this weekend.  Just keep wanting to come back.    the little bit of new pavement on Beasore is awesome. 

We did a 2 night fastpack of a portion of the Fernandez Traverse from Sing Peak to "Slagg" Peak.  We quickly realized we were not gonna make it to Triple Divide Peak.  It is a long traverse.

http://peaksforfreaks.blogspot.com/2014/10/fernandez-traverse.html

Beautiful lakes in small basins in Ansel Adams Wilderness and in Yosemite.  You have constant views of the Minarets and Ritter/Banner and Piyau and Balloon Domes and views of Starr King and Half Dome.







A cool looking crag with potential at Rutherford Lake.

[susan]

Wow quite some amazingly long treks you two take! Love the pictures and would love the views.

[larsj]

Nice views!!  Took a trip up there with my son in about '94. Stayed at Ruth Lake.  Great area with little traffic. lars

[mungeclimber]

Fire season started...

https://sierranewsonline.com/breaking-wildland-fire-burning-outside-of-north-fork/?fbclid=IwAR2xJF6mVDkwSy7yjWdVNzj0kKUx1nA66FYBzz-hrDj0vG_jIz5P09Cl5Rk

[susan]

Good to get that message out there yesterday morning Rob, thanks for posting that! We saw smoke rolling up the sky above the San Joaquin river basin in the morning, but it dissipated pretty quickly and never bothered us the rest of the day. Couldn't even see much if any smoke down from Redinger on our way out later. Just a helicopter hovering over what must have been the area of the fire. Bam, got that put out quick thankfully!