We climbed in Courtright Saturday, glad of our last minute choice to drive there instead of Shuteye since it wasn't too smokey and weather held minus a few drops. We hankered for Soyo so much even tho we found prime camping in Courtright, so much so that we decided to head out to Soyo whatever condition we might find it in... as we were really missing it!
When we pulled into Oakhurst, though, we saw this disheartening view.
Learned in shopping around town that there was another new fire this time in North Fork, that just began that afternoon. Figured the same thing, maybe we would be turned around and shouldn't go in, but we had to try. We were the only vehicle heading in via Beasore while an unusual number of others were heading out.
It was smokey on the way in, but it panned out that wind direction left the Balls in the clear. It had stormed a little and there were piles of hail here and there. Couldn't see Shuteye from the overlook as it was blanketed in smoke until this morning when all looked normal again until this afternoon.
No one sweeping the area... just road closures toward Fresno Dome.
Ran into Mike and Polly which was good fun. And again today with iffy weather we stayed close to the road at JLT, but the weather held out.
Really nice to get out there and see for ourselves what we could. Every nearby fire is unnerving as all get out since these areas are so vulnerable.
