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Fixdpin
Trad climber
Springville,CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 15, 2013 - 10:12pm PT
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The Needles is in danger of being closed permanently at the road unless the F.S. decides to repair and maintain the road. I am asking anyone who is interested in helping to prevent loss of access to The Needles to email me at pkpaul@springvillewireless.com and simply state: "I want to join the SSCA." give your full name, email address, and a phone number where you can be reached. That is it. There is no membership fee. We need to have a viable membership roster in order to represent as a climbing community in future meetings and negotiations with the USDA Forest Service.
The road was closed on August 16th this year because it is getting so bad it's almost impassable by any but four-wheel drive vehicles. The F. S. chose to reopen the road after they realized that they probably couldn't do anything about the problem this year. They need to know how important this road is to the climbing community.
The forest is currently doing a road use study for the area and soliciting feedback online to determine which roads they should let go and which ones they should keep-up and maintain. You can help keep these climber access roads open by going online and taking the survey at:
[url="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/landmanagement/planning/?cid=stelprdb5435007
Choose the feedback form, fill it out, and follow the instructions for returning to the study.
The roads in question are:
Road 21so5, The Needles Road
22s69 the Dome Rock Road
21s50 to 20s79 to 20s53a the access roads to Hermit Spire
21s50 to 20s71 to 20s81 the access roads to Trilogy (McIntyre Rock)
22s82 the access road from Johnsondale to Elephant Knob, Sentinel Peak, the K and L Wonder Bluffs, the lower Needles, Demon Dome and Merlin Dome.
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Elcapinyoazz
Social climber
Joshua Tree
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Sep 15, 2013 - 10:38pm PT
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Is this (21so5) the dirt/gravel road that leads to Needles spring trailhead and the little primitive campground just prior? , I.e. the trailhead to the Fire Tower, and the std approach to Witch/Sorcerer/Charlatan etc?
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Sep 15, 2013 - 11:32pm PT
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Definitely want to join. I have a place up there (Camp Nelson) that will be far less interesting without access to The Needles. I'll shoot you an email.
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patrick compton
Trad climber
van
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Sep 16, 2013 - 08:34am PT
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prized destination?! lmao.
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Matt's
climber
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Sep 16, 2013 - 10:17am PT
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bump
i agree with clint, this seems like something worth involving the access fund in.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 16, 2013 - 10:26am PT
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The AF is involved. We need a local organization with a member list to negotiate with the USFS.
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tooth
Trad climber
B.C.
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Sep 16, 2013 - 10:51am PT
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Weird situation. After living in California and climbing there - and everywhere else, I assumed that climbers could live in cars.
Then I moved to BC. Couldn't access most mountains because the roads were so bad or ditched for runoff- I had to buy a 4wd.
The government never thought about making rules or closing the roads just because they were bad though! If they didn't have the money - well, it is still the people's land, they let us get there if we can.
Is it easier to form a political group etc. or just release the need for controlling everyone and making more laws and then trying to enforce them, etc. Why not just live and let live? Don't you live in the land of the free?
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TeleRoss
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Sep 16, 2013 - 10:55am PT
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"land of the free" hahahahaha that's a good one!
But yes, this is a very important issue. The road should remain open for those who are able to drive up it.
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Elcapinyoazz
Social climber
Joshua Tree
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Sep 16, 2013 - 11:00am PT
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Done. Sent you the mail PkPaul.
Why the FS can't simply use a comment box on the web platform instead of the archaic, "download this form, fill it out, mail it back as an attached word file" format is beyond me. But I'll do it.
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Deekaid
climber
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Sep 16, 2013 - 11:09am PT
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Yes, this part.
We need to have a viable membership roster in order to represent as a climbing community in future meetings and negotiations with the USDA Forest Service
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Adamame
climber
Santa Cruz
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Sep 16, 2013 - 11:21am PT
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The road has some drainage issues that are causing the problem. I think a few strategically placed water bars would lessen the problem in the long run. Climbers could easily do this over a weekend.
And is the road really that bad? When I was there a few weeks ago I saw three Prius' that had made it through.
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alina
Trad climber
CA
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Sep 16, 2013 - 11:22am PT
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Do you want me to send your original post as an e-mail to some local climbing lists?
Also, as people are easily confused and lazy, maybe make the form available with the correct road information filled out, so all people have to do is fill out their names?
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 16, 2013 - 11:34am PT
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Alina, and anyone else who wants to, send me a PM and I'll send you a copy of the form filled out by Jason Kieth at the Access Fun with a map, GPS coordinates and all relevant info. You just plug in your contact info and send it off.
And is the road really that bad? When I was there a few weeks ago I saw three Prius' that had made it through.
Some folks are still getting in with normal vehicles, but it ain't easy. Your right drainage is the problem. Another couple of big T-Storms like last fall and it will be really bad. This is a situation where the USFS is letting a lot of roads go, and the squeaky wheel will get attention. We need to be the squeaky wheel.
And FWIW they have quit cleaning the toilet facility at the trailhead, which was paid for by the AF and the SSCA. The truck which drives around the area cleaning a large number of such facilities will not use the road now. The result is that human waste is becoming a problem around the camp again as it was before the toilet was built.
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Sep 16, 2013 - 02:41pm PT
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And is the road really that bad? When I was there a few weeks ago I saw three Prius' that had made it through. I was there the second weekend of August and the road was pretty darn lousy. The worst I'd ever seen it. Those folks must have been really motivated. I guess if you've driven all that way your tendency is to go for it.
Someone who written up thread about just letting the road go and doing the approach by mt. bike. That sounds tempting initially--the notion of the place being almost a quiet, backcountry area--but you still have the human waste issue that would remain unresolved, the lack of water and accessibility issues to folks who don't have the where with all to hike a bike in. The road really needs to stay open.
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Sep 16, 2013 - 02:45pm PT
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I work as a volunteer trail crew leader on this forest.
Your concept will not work.
You cannot "negotiate" with the FS, because the FS has no money.
They have no money to fund ANY rangers or ANY trail maintenance workers, AT ALL......what you would call fundamental and basic work of the forest.
What MIGHT work is to have the county bring in their grader, which they use on other roads in the Kennedy Meadows-Blackrock area, and spend a day grading the road. I've met the fellow who runs it several times, and he is a cool dude, and knows what he is doing.
I don't know what the blacktop road condition is that is stopping the sewer truck. Perhaps someone interested might ask them? Sometimes you find easy fixes.....
The power politics of the old days......where one organized their group to overcome the groups with other priorities.......pretty much gone, on issues like this.
You cannot negotiate the expenditure of money that does not exist.
I will say, though, that the FS people have been very open to volunteer efforts of all kinds.
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Sep 16, 2013 - 03:19pm PT
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Now that you mention it, Ron, I realize that the road to Ponderosa is kept open year-round. That means the county has graders, etc on the west side for that purpose.
but I'm also aware of devices designed to be dragged behind a 4WD or even a ATV, to grade a dirt road. I know where some are located on the forest, but I'll bet they have that on the west side, as well.
And here's a thought: There are a number of active ATV clubs over there. There is a FS employee, Bob Frenes, who is in charge of such things on the forest (paid for by the ATV DMV stickers). I'll bet he could coordinate a collaboration between interested climbers and an ATV group to drag the road.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 16, 2013 - 03:44pm PT
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Unlike Yosemite Valley, Zion NP, and Joshua Tree, rock climbing is not a highly visible activity in Sequoia National Forest / Giant Sequoia National Monument. Also the District Ranger for The Monument is new in the position so it shouldn't surprise us if he is still getting up to speed re user groups.
The first two things that need doing are to beef up the SSCA member list (see Patrick Paul's OP) and for all interested parties to fill out and submit the feedback form on the Travel Analysis Process page.
If you want a copy of this form as completed by The Access Fund, complete with a map and GPS info drop me a PM and I'll send it to you. Then all you have to do is fill in your contact info and send it in.
The Access Fund is going to help with the process of getting a memorandum of understanding with the USFS which is a first step toward any future discussions.
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jsj
climber
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Sep 16, 2013 - 03:46pm PT
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So... I'd like to see this road remain open and passable. Is my time better spent signing up for the SSCA or emailing the USFS directly or something else?
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cultureshock
Trad climber
Mountain View
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Sep 16, 2013 - 03:46pm PT
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Was out there this past weekend and the road could use some work. Despite this I saw a civic and corolla at the campground. The toilet could also use some love, but is more dirty than full.
I agree that a few trail days should really help fix the road. Perhaps we could get the Access Fund jeep and their tools.
I think a few pieces of irrigation pipe and some rock work would drastically reduce the impacts of storms/water run-off. There will still be a lot of bumps, but the big troughs are the problem.
It also seems smart to do some work on the road before the winter storms hit.
 Luke
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 16, 2013 - 03:56pm PT
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Is my time better spent signing up for the SSCA or emailing the USFS directly or something else?
Both. Send the OP an email and get on the SSCA member roster. It's free and we just need as many names a possible right now. Then fill out and submit the form I linked above. Maybe make a donation to the Access Fund?
Also there is an organization called the Giant Sequoia National Monument Association which was formed by a variety of user groups to influence the development of the new management plan. I recently joined this group (a $25.00 fee) and will attend their meetings with the goal of bringing awareness of the climbing in the Monument. I'd encourage other climbers to do the same. Their meetings (the next one is on 9-24-13) are attended by the District Ranger and the Forest Supervisor.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Sep 16, 2013 - 04:24pm PT
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Incredible - in Europe or Canada we would have a climber hut.
One of the most beautiful places in North America in my opinion .
It reflects a different "wilderness" ethic, Riley. I'm sending in my name as soon as I get off this post.
John
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jstn
Trad climber
monrovia, ca
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Sep 16, 2013 - 04:40pm PT
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Joined the SSCA.
Thanks for the heads up on this.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Sep 16, 2013 - 05:18pm PT
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Thanks Patrick and Kris,
I joined the SSCA and sent the feedback form to the USFS.
21S05 = Needles Spring Road
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pyro
Big Wall climber
Calabasas
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Sep 16, 2013 - 05:28pm PT
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needles is awesome!
sign me up!
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Sep 16, 2013 - 08:37pm PT
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I am confused.
I have read through the documentation at the FS site, and 21s05 is specifically identified as one of the road LEAST likely to be decommissioned.
You can see it on the map here:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5435209.pdf
Green are roads that are least likely at risk, red the most likely
21s05 is GREEN.
On top of that, the other roads are nowhere near the needles.
The other roads:
22s50-green
20s79-green
20s53a-does not appear to exist (or is not being evaluated)
What was this, a "bait and switch" designed to fool people into doing something? Is one of those roads the road to someone's private property?????
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Sep 16, 2013 - 08:47pm PT
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22s69 the Dome Rock Road
21s50 to 20s79 to 20s53a the access roads to Hermit Spire
21s50 to 20s71 to 20s81 the access roads to Trilogy (McIntyre Rock)
22s82 the access road from Johnsondale to Elephant Knob, Sentinel Peak, the K and L Wonder Bluffs, the lower Needles, Demon Dome and Merlin Dome.
ALL of those roads are the only access to those climbing areas!
There isn't any private property anywhere near any of them!
You are just demonstrating your ignorance of the area and it's history!
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Sep 16, 2013 - 09:00pm PT
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Ken,
20s53a-does not appear to exist (or is not being evaluated)
It is likely a typo - should be either 20S53 or 20S63 (to the Hermit) - I'm not sure which. Or maybe it's a spur from 20S53 which is not shown on the map.
The map is encouraging, with the long roads as green and the short spurs as yellow and red.
But still, they might eventually have to choose among the greens, so it seems helpful to vote for the greens that we want to use.
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 16, 2013 - 09:01pm PT
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What was this, a "bait and switch" designed to fool people into doing something? Is one of those roads the road to someone's private property?????
Easy there Ken. The road has not been maintained at all for three years. Last fall two fluke T-Storms pretty much finished it off. The USFS has been letting roads go all over the country, and then waiting to see who, if anyone, squeals. These posts by Patrick and me are, with the counsel of The Access Fund, an effort to pull together climbers to make some noise about this and get noticed. The more the road deteriorates the more it will cost to repair.
FWIW there have already been some productive talks between the AF and District Ranger Stevens Which make it doubly important for climbers to present a unified front on this issue now.
Are you serious that you would accuse an esteemed area local like Patrick Paul of some "bait and switch" scheme? Do you think I am an accomplice to this scheme? And if you actually read the OP you'll see why the other roads at least need a mention. The Needles are not the only worthwhile crag in the area.
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rincon
Trad climber
SoCal
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Sep 16, 2013 - 09:07pm PT
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The OP suggests that access to The Needles is in jeopardy, when in actuality, it isn't. It's a road maintenance issue.
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Sep 16, 2013 - 09:14pm PT
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At some point a permanently locked gate or a bulldozed berm will appear.
don't kid yourself!
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 16, 2013 - 10:57pm PT
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A good argument can be made that the road 21S05 actually benefits The Needles in terms of impact. It enables climbers to set up camp within day-hiking range of the rock. Of course adding a few miles to the approach will not keep all climbers away from the amazing Needles. But instead of car camping at the trail-head and day hiking to the crags, climbers will hike in and camp at The Needles, a pristine area which will not stand up well to this kind of use. The development of campsites and fire rings, and the problem of human waste will degrade this unique area.
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Josh Higgins
Trad climber
San Diego
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Sep 17, 2013 - 10:20am PT
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I ran a lap on Romantic Warrior two days ago with some friends. It would be so sad to see access to the Needles impacted. I LOVE that place! I spread the word amongst friends, and notified the Allied Climbers of San Diego to spread the word as well!
Josh Higgins
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Gary
Social climber
Desolation Basin, Calif.
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Sep 17, 2013 - 10:38am PT
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OK, this is a good argument. I'll sign up.
A good argument can be made that the road 21S05 actually benefits The Needles in terms of impact. It enables climbers to set up camp within day-hiking range of the rock. Of course adding a few miles to the approach will not keep all climbers away from the amazing Needles. But instead of car camping at the trail-head and day hiking to the crags, climbers will hike in and camp at The Needles, a pristine area which will not stand up well to this kind of use. The development of campsites and fire rings, and the problem of human waste will degrade this unique area.
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Sep 17, 2013 - 03:06pm PT
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The road was closed on August 16th this year because it is getting so bad it's almost impassable by any but four-wheel drive vehicles.
That's absolute bullshet!!
I was up there about 2 months ago and any vehicle with good clearance will cruise up that road! No 4WD needed!
WTF?!
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PAUL SOUZA
Trad climber
Central Valley, CA
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Sep 17, 2013 - 03:12pm PT
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If you need a volunteer crew, let me know and perhaps we could mobilize a crew from the MetalMark climbing gym in Fresno.
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goatboy smellz
climber
Nederland-GulfBreeze
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Sep 17, 2013 - 03:46pm PT
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Email sent!
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Laine
Trad climber
Reno, NV
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Sep 17, 2013 - 04:24pm PT
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Form filled out and emailed.
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adam d
climber
CA
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Sep 17, 2013 - 07:39pm PT
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Joined the SSCA and sent the feedback form.
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Sep 17, 2013 - 07:47pm PT
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Good post, Chief.
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tooth
Trad climber
B.C.
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Sep 18, 2013 - 10:15am PT
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It reflects a different "wilderness" ethic, Riley. I'm sending in my name as soon as I get off this post.
Funny perspective. In the US, you can drive to the top of 14'ers, in Canada, you are lucky to drive to within miles of the base of a mountain. Sure - we may have a teahouse at Lake Louise, or a the Asulkan Hut, but no cell service anywhere, no roads up to 9000' like the whitney portal, or to the top like White Mountain, etc.
I'll be in Europe next month to see what they have going on in the alps....
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thirsty
climber
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Sep 18, 2013 - 11:14am PT
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I sent you the e-mail.
There are good people working in the FS and some good community outreach programs, but over the last 30 years of my climbing life it does seem like the FS is creeping towards bureaucratic stagnation, ineffectiveness and general dysfunction. It seems like they manage trail and backcountry access more like a park service from one of the more timid states every year. They close even those trails where erosion is not an issue after fires because trees might fall on people.
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Climberdude
Trad climber
Fresno, CA
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Sep 18, 2013 - 02:25pm PT
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Signed up and sent in comments to FS. Thank you for mentioning this issue.
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cultureshock
Trad climber
Mountain View
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Sep 18, 2013 - 03:09pm PT
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Photos to keep this on the front page!
Kris can you shoot me a PM with your email address. I'm curious about what re-bolting project you have going on.
I was just on Romantic Warrior for the first time and was kinda shocked to see all the 1/4" bolts and bunch of tat on the route. I understand that there is a lot going on in the area and wanted to offer some re-bolting help.
We came back to work on the route on our second day and pulled and patched a bunch of these old bolts. Only 1 bolt was actually replaced, since all but one anchor already had 2 3/8" bolts. We put ring and chains on the upper anchors. The anchors before the 12a traverse, and the one below the 12a thin corner not currently set up for rapping.
Would love to help out in the future. The face climb to the right, Sea of Tranquility, looks like a mega replacement project.
Thanks again for all your hard work on the guidebook, doing route maintenance and for working on the current access issue.
Cheers,
Luke
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Greg Barnes
climber
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Sep 18, 2013 - 05:54pm PT
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Thanks Luke!
Almost fixed lines for replacement out on Sea years ago, but partner bailed...big project for sure!
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graniteclimber
Trad climber
The Illuminati -- S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Division
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Sep 18, 2013 - 06:07pm PT
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Is the USFS planning on rebuilding the fire lookout? If they do they will want to repair the road.
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 18, 2013 - 06:41pm PT
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There is an effort underway to rebuild the lookout. It will take a long time, they don't do things today like they did in 1938 when the old one was built. First a geologist must examine the site to determine if the rock is sound enough. Then an engineer must go up and examine the old concrete foundations to determine if they are sound or must be replaced, etc., etc...
And of course there is the issue of funding.
It is best in the meantime to separate the maintenance of the road, and when the gate opens and closes from any needs having to do with the lookout.
You are correct though, a working lookout will guarantee the road is kept passable. There should be a Facebook page called "Needles Lookout" showing up in a week or two. That will be a source for information if that subject interests you. Personally I support the idea, but not everyone does.
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Heyzeus
climber
Hollywood,Ca
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Sep 19, 2013 - 12:52pm PT
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I'm a little confused on the info and form to send to the FS.
This is the info from the OP:Road 21so5, The Needles Road
22s69 the Dome Rock Road
21s50 to 20s79 to 20s53a the access roads to Hermit Spire
21s50 to 20s71 to 20s81 the access roads to Trilogy (McIntyre Rock)
22s82 the access road from Johnsondale to Elephant Knob, Sentinel Peak, the K and L Wonder Bluffs, the lower Needles, Demon Dome and Merlin Dome.
Does each road need a separate form?
The Needles road is 21so5,correct?
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Sep 19, 2013 - 01:13pm PT
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21S05 is the Needles road. This road is the main issue right now.
Patrick listed the others to bring attention to them, but if you send in the form, list road 21S05. Be sure your subject line reads "travel analysis process."
Thanks!
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Trad is Rad
Trad climber
San Luis Obispo California
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Sep 22, 2013 - 07:01pm PT
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Im in! I love the needles. I will say that needle rock road and dome rock road have been navigated successfully in the past month in a Toyota corolla.
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snowhazed
Trad climber
Oaksterdam, CA
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Sep 23, 2013 - 01:38pm PT
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I'm in- didn't see this in time for the Sep 20 deadline- but I sent in the form anyways
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Sep 23, 2013 - 05:59pm PT
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The FS doesn't own "The Needles" they're in Custer State Park. :)
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Fixdpin
Trad climber
Springville,CA
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 23, 2013 - 08:59pm PT
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Hello all,
Thank you so much for all of your responses, pro and con, negative and positive. I have been processing over 150 responses to my plea to join the SSCA and help make a difference on this access issue. I am making an SSCA contact list and will send out email updates on this and any other access issues that come up in the southern Sierra. Once again, thank you for your support and activism.
Needless to say some of the responses on this threat have been interesting and I feel compelled to try and clear up some of the muddier water that is beginning to flow into this thread. First of all, I do not own property in the mountains. I do own property in Springville, but it is not threatened at this time with any access problems. I listed all of the roads that I listed, not because they show up red, green or yellow on a forest service map, but because they are all roads, paved in some cases and not paved in others that make up the motor vehicle access to all of the climbing venues in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest, Great Western Divide Highway area.
21s53a, is the last spur road creating access from the northwest to Hermit Spire. I got that number from the map on page 16 of "Southern Sierra Rock Climbing: The Needles" published in 1992 by Chockstone Press. It is a very short- about 1.5 miles long -- and I don't know why it is not on the FS map. Perhaps my source for this road number is in error. The road takes off a few hundred yards NE of the Golden Trout Wilderness Pack Station, and is technically in the GTW.
I would agree with the post stating that the FS has no money to maintain any roads, to a point! If the FS had "no money" then they would not be doing a study to see which roads are essential and which one are not. I believe that they do have some money and and are trying to gather data to determine how to spend it. Or they have to do a study to submit a road maintenance plan in order to get funding for such purposes. I don't honestly know, but I believe that if they are doing the survey, they want to maintain roads and they have the means to do it.
Here is my experience of the road situation for the past several years. Beginning in the mid-nineties, I had begun to notice the roads to The Needles and other areas were not being maintained as well or as often as they were when I first started climbing there in the late 70's. For example, instead of any routine grading of loose rocks branches and berms being done, only areas of severe erosion, severe berm damage, large rock fall, or full-on tree blockage were being graded or water barred, and only fallen trees and large rocks were being removed from the road.
Furthermore, these minimal maintenance steps were not being taken in early spring when the snow had fully melted and The Needles could otherwise be accessible to users, but only when the fire lookout manned at the beginning of fire season. So the road began to stay closed to the public until the FS wanted to man the lookout. In past years the road used to stay open until the first snow of the season, sometimes as late as November. But in recent years they began to close the road as soon as the tower was closed at the end of fire season.
In more recent years, the last two years, the FS has not had a tower at The Needles and the road and toilet "maintenance" has been nil. With recent heavy rain storms water runnels have formed in the road and been deepened by vehicles attempting to get in and out. The FS says that the road is a priority and that it is number 2 on their list of roads to service.
The Access Fund has contacted the district ranger and asked about the road and the issues of access and maintenance. The FS says it will be maintaining the road and that they are going to have an engineer out there to determine what has to be done. They are not sure if they will get to this road this year or next, and of course nature will have some say in this as winter approaches. It is my experience of the FS that they always take twice as long to do anything as they say they will. In the meantime the road continues to deteriorate and the cost of repairing it naturally will go up.
I believe it is important to inform the FS of how important this road is to climbers and other user groups, how important The Needles is to climbers near and far, climbing history, and to the Giant Sequoia National Monument as a natural resource of interest to all who love the out-of-doors.
All of the roads I mentioned in my previous post are significant access roads for all of the climbing in this area. I believe that If the FS in not made fully aware of how important all of these roads are to user groups, and given their continuing struggle for funding and support, they will begin to only maintain those roads that public strongly identifies as significant and let go of those roads that they hear nothing about.
If you have read this far, thanks for your time.
Patrick Paul
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Sep 23, 2013 - 09:14pm PT
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THE most CLASSIC look out ever
In California.
Just to set the record straight This is the most classic ever... :-)
Not for those prone to sleep-walking, not that any lookout is. ;-)
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cultureshock
Trad climber
Mountain View
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Man things change fast!
The first half of the road is looking great! It either got plowed or graded in the last two weeks!!
The end of the road, with the worst ruts and bumps is still in bad condition. I'm guessing it stayed as is since there will need to be some irrigation pipes installed.
Psyched for the progress!
Luke
10/7/2013
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Sam E
Boulder climber
Malibu
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Jan 12, 2014 - 04:38pm PT
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Is the road open? Fixed up? Closed for the season?
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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Jan 12, 2014 - 04:46pm PT
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Call:
Tule River Ranger District
Springville, CA
559-539-2607
They should know if the gate is open. They might not have info on the condition of the road. Of course there's always Voodoo. For info on that road (Lloyd Meadows Rd,22S82) call:
Cannell Meadow Ranger District
Kernville, CA
760-376-3781
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McHale's Navy
Trad climber
From Panorama City, CA
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Jan 12, 2014 - 09:04pm PT
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Fixdpin, you spelled Needles wrong;
Needless to say some of the responses on this threat have been interesting and I feel compelled to try and clear up some of the muddier water that is beginning to flow into this thread.
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Climberdude
Trad climber
Fresno, CA
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Jan 12, 2014 - 11:10pm PT
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Luke, I hear you. I went up the road as far as I could safely go in my Prius in early November. Yes, they graded the lower part of the road, but the upper part is in very bad shape (the grading may have made it worse because rocks are not pulled up). I also noticed that they took out culverts that were formerly under the road, but did not replace them where there are watercourses. I suspect that soon there will be large gullies in this road, which is already in pretty bad shape near the top. I ended up hiking the last mile up the road, but some climbers gave me a ride as I was hiking up. FS, what is up with ripping out the culverts but not replacing them?
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Jan 13, 2014 - 01:58am PT
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Have you heard of a thing called the sequester?
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dhayan
climber
los angeles, ca
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May 28, 2015 - 09:09am PT
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Anyone know how the road is this year? Barely made it with my Prius last year and swore I'd never try with my car again...but now headed back out there with optimism. Any info?? Thanks!
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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May 28, 2015 - 10:36am PT
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Hit up Vitaliy for recent road conditions.
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dhayan
climber
los angeles, ca
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May 28, 2015 - 10:45am PT
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Thanks for the tip, just sent him a message.
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cat t.
Sport climber
CA
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May 28, 2015 - 10:46am PT
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Road to the main campground (FS-21S05) is fine as of last weekend. Went in a Subaru, but I bet even my little sedan would've happily made it. Didn't drive anywhere else though.
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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May 28, 2015 - 10:47am PT
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I haven't been there myself this year but I heard it was good to go for regular little cars.
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rincon
climber
Coarsegold
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May 28, 2015 - 12:07pm PT
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Did they finish rebuilding the lookout yet?
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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May 28, 2015 - 12:52pm PT
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Did they finish rebuilding the lookout yet?
Rincon.... it will take prolly another 5-6 years to get that done.... the
US Government is running the project.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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May 28, 2015 - 01:19pm PT
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Rincon.... it will take prolly another 5-6 years to get that done.... the
US Government is running the project.
Guy, didn't you mean to say...
Rincon.... it will take prolly another 5-6 years to get that done.... the
US Government is ruining the project?
Guarantee you, me, and Medusa could get that thing re-done for $500K*, tops.
You and I would sit there and drink beer and keep out of Medusa's way.
*Of course, to keep the costs down we would have to get a sponsorship deal
but what would be wrong with re-naming it the B of A Sky High Rates Lookout Tower?
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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May 28, 2015 - 01:25pm PT
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SAVE THE NEEDLES!!
MUST HAVE ACCESS!!
One of the most amazing places that I've ever climbed.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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May 28, 2015 - 01:36pm PT
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Guarantee you, me, and Medusa could get that thing re-done for $500K*, tops.
You and I would sit there and drink beer and keep out of Medusa's way.
And it would take maybe.... 6 weeks.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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May 28, 2015 - 01:39pm PT
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And it would take maybe.... 6 weeks.
Would your new tower still have cookies?
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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May 28, 2015 - 01:53pm PT
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No shit!! We want cookies!!
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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May 28, 2015 - 01:56pm PT
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Doods, at the B of A Sky High Rates Lookout Tower we'll have Momma Locker's
Medicinal Cookies, PTPP's Big Wall Wallbangers, PBR on tap, and a wingsuit
launching platform!
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dhayan
climber
los angeles, ca
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May 30, 2015 - 11:33pm PT
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Road was in pretty good shape, better than its been the past few years. Thanks all for the info.
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| Messages 1 - 76 of total 76 in this topic |
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