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localdan
Trad climber
Visalia, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 24, 2012 - 12:00am PT
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Hey all! I was just up at the Needles this weekend. I saw just now that there was a post on here about the closure, but didn't think to check before now. The main road leading to the Needles is gated and posted that it will be closed until Oct. 2. Guess they are cleaning up the lookout?
Anyways, we are persistent bastards and decided to hike in from the Voodoo Dome approach. Challenging hike in with 60 pound packs, but was worth it to climb Thin Ice (burly), Spooky (offwidths kick my ass) and Igor Unchained (probably my favorite 5.9).
Cheers. FYI I didn't get the idea that the area was super patrolled, but would be cautious about accessing the Needles. There was no signage posted at the start of the Voodoo trail. A sherriff talked to us as we were racking up on Sat. morning, but they were out patrolling for the beginning of deer hunting season, which I gather is when people drive around in jeeps on back roads...
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rincon
Trad climber
SoCal
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Sep 24, 2012 - 01:04am PT
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60 pound packs, wow!
why so heavy?
Did you see them working?
I hope they don't rebuild...
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j-tree
Big Wall climber
Classroom to crag to summer camp
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Sep 24, 2012 - 01:36am PT
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Quoting Ksolem from linked thread:
Okay here's the beta...
Date: September 14, 2012 www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Needles Closed for 10 Days for Clean-up
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST The Needles Fire Lookout Tower, located on the Western Divide Ranger District within the Giant Sequoia National Monument on the Sequoia National Forest was destroyed in a structure fire in July 2011. The Sequoia National Forest has contracted with “Broadbent” to clean up the hazardous debris that was left on top of the rock formation as the result of it burning. Work will begin on Saturday, September 22nd and is expected to last approximately 10 days.
To ensure public safety, a forest closure will be in effect while the work is being done. Forest Road 21S05, Trail 32E22, the stairs leading up to the site, and an area closure around the rock formations, known as the “Needles,” will be closed.
A helicopter will be utilized to sling debris from the top of the rock formation to the trailhead. During helicopter operations there is concern for rock climbers anywhere on the spires being at risk by rotor wash or debris falling from the sling load; therefore all spires on the Needles will be closed to access. If helicopter operations are finished early, the area will be reopened immediately.
The lookout tower was constructed in 1937-38 by the Civilian Conservation Corps atop the rock formation at 8,245 feet. A Forest Service employee, stationed in the tower, was responsible for detecting fires and relaying radio messages to a dispatcher, who in turn sent firefighters and support equipment to extinguish the reported fire. The tower was utilized as this employee’s office as well as their home for the summer months while the lookout was on duty. The Forest Service is working towards rebuilding the tower if conditions allow and funding becomes available.
(press releases sent out bcc)
Denise Alonzo, Public Affairs
Western Divide and Hume Lake Ranger Districts
Giant Sequoia National Monument/Sequoia National Forest
32588 HWY 190, Springville CA 93265
phone 559-539-2607 ext. 212
fax 559-539-2067
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 24, 2012 - 01:55am PT
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60 pound packs, wow! Why so heavy?
He says they did Thin Ice, Spooky and Igor. Good guess they bivied so they needed water and food. Plus he doesn't mention the size of their party among whom they would divide such a load.
Rincon you know as well as I do that for two or three to bivy up there with enough gear to do those routes is gonna mean heavy packs. What's your point?
I am curious if the Western Divide District (upper road access) got it together with the Cannel District (lower Voodoo access) to out up signage as to the closure. If you guys passed closure signs on the lower road access you are stupid and thoughtless. If there were no signs than I got no beef.
It is important that climbers understand how much effort went into having the are open at all this summer. At all. Get it? So we get a 10 day closure. Not so bad really.
Needles are closed? Why not have a really good adventure on Hermit Spire instead?
PS I support rebuilding the lookout.
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justthemaid
climber
Jim Henson's Basement
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Sep 24, 2012 - 09:48am PT
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10 day closure isn't so bad. I can see how someone might get frustrated and ignore the signage if they drove all the way up there and weren't aware of the closure though. Doesn't make it right.. I just see picture.
A sherriff talked to us as we were racking up on Sat. morning, but they were out patrolling for the beginning of deer hunting season, which I gather is when people drive around in jeeps on back roads..
Evidently those patrols need to go to Calabasas. Friday morning I found a shot, be-headed deer lying on the side of Mulholland Hwy a stone's throw from the high school. If Kim Kardashian had driven by she would have been scarred for life.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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Sep 24, 2012 - 10:01am PT
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how did you know it had been shot?
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 24, 2012 - 01:13pm PT
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Looking back at this thread I see that the OP states there was no signage about the closure by the Voodoo Dome (lower Needles) trail. Either this is an edit to the post or I was tired and missed it on my read last night. If I missed it, sorry - just finished a long drive home from a few days climbing up at Church Dome ;-)
The only other time I have seen an area closure there was last summer for a few days following the lookout fire while they sized things up. At that time there were signs on the lower road but they were not exactly at the trail head but rather at the parking areas nearby.
So the only question is did the OP understand the area is closed for a few days and go in anyway, or did they go in from the bottom (a worthy effort by the way) with the misunderstanding that only the upper access is closed. Frankly if the land managers can't get the signs up where they belong it is hard to blame anyone for going climbing.
FWIW I have first-hand information that the project lead on this cleanup lobbied to limit the current 10 day closure to the upper road/trail and Magician, which would have left the lower approach and the rest of the needles open. The contractor operating the helo recommended that the entire area be closed due to risks to climbers from rotor wash and other possible dangers from the loads of debris being hauled. Thus the decision was taken to close the Needles in total for the duration of the helo work.
Anyway I don't mean to sound officious. But here are a few things about the situation which are relevant to climbers...
The Forest Supervisor of the Giant Sequoia Nat Forest and the District Ranger for the Western Divide Ranger District, Giant Sequoia Nat. Monument, are new this year. This means that we as climbers are in a relationship building period with them. The feedback I get from "inside" is that the new managers are more pro-recreation than their predecessors and are favorable to climbing. They demonstrated this last spring when a closure order (written by lawyers back in Washington) which was worded in a way which would have closed the upper Needles approach for the entire season was re interpreted locally so that the climbers approach trail around the N side of Magician would remain open (except during the actual work period which is taking place now.) We can thank project lead Linn Gassaway (NFS Archaeologist) for taking the issue up with the District Ranger after walking the trail with me and determining that there was no hazardous debris on the trail and no risk to climbers from debris or toxic materials from the fire site. This is a case where cooperation and common sense came together, and a lot of climbers got to access the Needles in the best way this summer as a result.
So this is my last effort to request that climbers respect this brief closure. Regarding the lower road there are obviously not patrols so this is essentially a voluntary act. If everything goes according to plan the closure will affect the rest of this week and the weekend of 9-29 / 30.
I’m going on a climbing trip and will not be posting on this further. Info should be available from the Western Divide District Office, 559-539-2607.
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Sep 24, 2012 - 01:55pm PT
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I hope this thread isn't construed as splitting hairs, but do you read that order to assume that Voodoo is closed as well?
Of course, this was supposed to be my annual Needles trip. I'm happy to climb on Hermit or Dome Rock, but Voodoo would be nice too if it's safely on the table. Still, my first priority to comply with the closure.
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Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
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Sep 24, 2012 - 02:12pm PT
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If Kim Kardashian drove by me I'd be scarred for life. :)
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Sep 24, 2012 - 02:37pm PT
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Well, to answer my own question, I just got off the phone with the District Office and they said all the Needles will be closed, which includes Voodoo Dome.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 24, 2012 - 02:45pm PT
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I lifted this map off the 9-14 closure notice. The closure clearly includes Voodoo.
I fail to see the need for that, but so it is.
Hey the Dome Rock mega classic Saucer Full of Secrets is sporting nice 12MM Fixes stainless bolts. Just sayin'.
(yer welcome from Ryan Mattock and me...)
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jstn
Trad climber
monrovia, ca
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Sep 24, 2012 - 08:11pm PT
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Maybe a positive outcome of the closure will be repair to the access road after the mid August storms.
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rincon
Trad climber
SoCal
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Sep 24, 2012 - 10:14pm PT
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"60 pound packs, wow! Why so heavy?"
Rincon. What's your point?
Not trying to make a point Kris :)
It didn't occur to me that they bivied, so 60 pounds seemed like a ton to me. I would have to do that in two loads or my back would break, because of all the 60 pound packs I used to carry.
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StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Sep 24, 2012 - 10:26pm PT
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Ksolem,
Thanks for the work on Saucer Full of Secrets.
Love that route.
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localdan
Trad climber
Visalia, CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 25, 2012 - 09:22am PT
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Next time, guess I need to sift the internet for closure information.
Ksolem, thanks for posting that map. Interesting they don't list the Voodoo trail as closed on their map. You said -
"Looking back at this thread I see that the OP states there was no signage about the closure by the Voodoo Dome (lower Needles) trail. Either this is an edit to the post or I was tired and missed it on my read last night. If I missed it, sorry - just finished a long drive home from a few days climbing up at Church Dome ;-)
So the only question is did the OP understand the area is closed for a few days and go in anyway, or did they go in from the bottom (a worthy effort by the way) with the misunderstanding that only the upper access is closed. Frankly if the land managers can't get the signs up where they belong it is hard to blame anyone for going climbing."
Our thought was exactly that, we were going to climb at Dome or Hermit if we were turned away by the long arm of the law or signage at the Voodoo access trail. All the patrol mentioned wanted to do was ask us "how technical of a climb is that" (pointing to Voodoo while we were racking a double set of pro to 3"). They definitely didn't say anything about a closure on the lower trail or access issues.
We did end up hiking up all the way to the staging area between Witch and Charlatan. Kudos to whomever is keeping up the FirstAid kit there! Well stocked.
Obviously, we weren't the only ones who hiked in. Saw another party top out on Warlock on Sat pm. Not saying that I'd do the same thing again, but on all the signage at the main Needles road, I saw no explanation of why the closure was taking place (as was posted above). I also never saw helicopter activity at the Lookout the whole time I was there. They were working down low.
I do understand the need to observe closures, but there being no signs at Voodoo trail or parking lot we took the opportunity for a bit of exercise!
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Radish
Trad climber
SeKi, California
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Sep 25, 2012 - 04:28pm PT
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After taking the Litter and First Responder kit out there back in 03, I went out several times with others and restocked the box with gloves and whatever else was needed. All of it was always donated! EC Joe gave us the litter. Now, I haven't been out in a couple of years so I'm glad its getting some attention. Thanks to whoever stocked it!
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 25, 2012 - 06:07pm PT
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Interesting they don't list the Voodoo trail as closed on their map
That would be because it is an unofficial trail, a climber’s path to the crags. It’s not on their maps.
but there being no signs at Voodoo trail or parking lot we took the opportunity for a bit of exercise!
Now that is an understatement. You saw someone on Warlock, likely they did the South Face, that is a more reasonable approach from the low road.
Pretty unusual seeing cops around there. I included a bit about an encounter I had right there in a story I wrote. It’s the second half of this Needles Story posted here.
Rincon Rob, sorry if I was curt. And I know what you mean…
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jstn
Trad climber
monrovia, ca
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Sep 26, 2012 - 12:52pm PT
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bump for relevance
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