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ElGreco
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - May 24, 2016 - 09:40pm PT
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Peeps, has anyone been to the Needles recently? What does the road look like? I am getting vague/conflicting info from second hand reports and the ranger station.
Thanks.
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aliebling
climber
San Francisco, CA
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May 24, 2016 - 10:37pm PT
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I called this morning and the gate is still closed. Didn't get any detail beyond that.
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ElGreco
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Reply - May 25, 2016 - 08:59pm PT
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Gate? We are talking about The Needles, CA, right? I've only been once but I don't remember a gate.
Bump for anyone who has been recently...
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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May 25, 2016 - 09:45pm PT
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I've only been once but I don't remember a gate.
You'd remember it if it was locked :-)
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aliebling
climber
San Francisco, CA
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May 25, 2016 - 09:46pm PT
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"Early season FS-21S05 is closed due to snow"
If it is (and it currently is), that adds 3 miles to the approach hike.
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Levy
Big Wall climber
So Cal
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May 26, 2016 - 06:37am PT
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As Kris said, if the gate was locked, you'd notice it. It's right where you leave the pavement.
If the gate is locked you can always go to Dome Rock.
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Vitaliy M.
Mountain climber
San Francisco
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May 26, 2016 - 08:52am PT
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Great suggestion Levi.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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May 26, 2016 - 08:56am PT
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OR if the lower road is open you can go to Voodo..... tons of really good climbing.... and I don't mean WPOD (that is a good one)go to the "Emperor" the first pitch is one of the best splitters you can find.
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matty
Trad climber
under the sea
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May 26, 2016 - 08:58am PT
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EDIT: I was wrong
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StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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May 26, 2016 - 09:17am PT
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Park at the gate, take your bike and have a blast.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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May 26, 2016 - 09:20am PT
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Matty.... Hi, hope your getting better....
your link leads nowhere...
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Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
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May 26, 2016 - 09:31am PT
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Guy is right about the lower road/Voodoo dome option. It's a different Ranger district so here's the contact info:
For Lloyd Meadows Road 22S82 (Voodoo, Demon and Merlin Domes)
and Parker Pass (M-50):
Cannell Meadow Ranger District
Kernville, CA 93238
760-376-3781
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Jiggler
Trad climber
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May 26, 2016 - 10:27am PT
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The lower road is open and in my opinion is not that much more effort to hike to the Witch & Sorcerer than the upper trail (if you can stay on the trail). I spent a few hours this past weekend clearing a path through the past winters fallen trees. I spoke to a few other parties that were up there, and they all hiked in from the closed gate adding around 3 miles one way. I have a gps track if anyone really wants it.
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ElGreco
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Reply - May 26, 2016 - 10:38am PT
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Here's the link again: http://www.mountainproject.com/v/needles-conditions/111860489
It's from May18 of this year.
I mean, the road to Whitney Portal also "closes" for most of the winter, but you can get past the closure till snow blocks you. Sounds like 21S05 is not like that?
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nathanael
climber
CA
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May 26, 2016 - 11:13am PT
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Jiggler I'd take the GPS track. I'm also curious if there's any springs or streams up there (near the Needles proper or near the trailhead at the end of FS21S05) where you can collect water. Or enough snow on the ground yet to gather and melt.
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matty
Trad climber
under the sea
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May 26, 2016 - 03:05pm PT
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ElGreco - I was totally wrong, I saw wrong date on the mountain project thread and got that switched it with the date the thread was started. OOOPS my bad. It still however states the gate is shut, maybe that was posted after you linked to it. either way, hope you get out there and enjoy the magic !
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selfish man
Gym climber
Austin, TX
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Jun 13, 2016 - 01:57pm PT
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bump.... anybody been up there lately? Is the upper road open/passable?
thanks
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Matt's
climber
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Jun 13, 2016 - 02:54pm PT
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If it is of any use-- it was locked over memorial day weekend. Frankly, it was nicer that way--we mountain-biked in every day-- this is a fun and relatively painless option. Had the whole place to ourselves...
best,
matt
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nathanael
climber
CA
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Jun 13, 2016 - 04:18pm PT
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It opened on Memorial Day at 10am. We were loading our packs with food and water to backpack in and camp for a couple days, and as we locked up the car to start hiking in the rangers pulled up and unlocked the gate.
Pretty easy going for a standard 2wd. Enjoy!
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