The views from the top are awesome. Crazy there was still snow up there.

The issue isn't just the storm damage. The storm changed the course of the stream. It now flows along what was formerly the road between third crossing and the gate. Because of this, the park can't simply re-grade the road as they've done in the past. Opening the road would require coming up with a new route for that section, with all the environmental studies and permits such a thing would involve. The park hasn't been very forthcoming about whether a new road is in the planning stage or whether they even want to do it at all. Suffice it to say that even if they do want to do it, it probably won't happen for several years.

It does seem like it's becoming more popular to backpack into Collins Valley and the park has lifted the restriction on that which was in place right after the storm. There was water in Cougar Canyon when I went last season, but I haven't gotten back there this season, so my info may be out of date.

Brian wrote:

rockhopper wrote:

Did a neat exploration off the east side down into black rabbit towards Martinez

That area has been on my radar lately. I never hear about anyone going there. Which is right up my alley.

I found these photos from that trip. Mostly bushwaking down from the logging road off the east side.










cheers

rockhopper wrote:

Did a neat exploration off the east side down into black rabbit towards Martinez

That area has been on my radar lately. I never hear about anyone going there. Which is right up my alley.

Did a neat exploration off the east side down into black rabbit towards Martinez

Looked like a really nice day.

Nice photos!

The San Gabriel mountains forum recently moved to PHPBB3, but it was a long, labor intensive process. They were able to preserve 95% of the posts and photos. I find value in forums that allow long form story telling without the distractions of social media platforms. Good luck if you decide to go with a new system.

Greetings, fellow desert rats. I'm looking to backpack overnight from Culp Valley campground to South Fork Borrego Palm Canyon, traveling as far as the mouth of the canyon where it meets third palm grove. Will I have any luck along the way finding a campsite in this canyon - a flat space at least large enough for me to roll out my sleeping bag? Also, the greenery along the length of South Fork Borrego Palm Canyon (seen by satellite imagery) suggests water availability -- am I right, and if so, is it likely to be a flowing creek in early February?

Greetings, fellow desert rats. I'm looking to backpack overnight from Culp Valley campground to South Fork Borrego Palm Canyon, traveling as far as the mouth of the canyon where it meets third palm grove. Will I have any luck along the way finding a campsite in this canyon - a flat space at least large enough for me to roll out my sleeping bag? Also, the greenery along the length of South Fork Borrego Palm Canyon (seen by satellite imagery) suggests water availability -- am I right, and if so, is it likely to be a flowing creek in early February?

can you drive all the way to the top of the western Pinyon Ridge on Jasper Trail/Old Culp Valley Rd or are those dirt roads closed?.

Nice TR Tekewin and thanks for getting the forum's winter season going! Pardon my ignorance, but can you drive all the way to the top of the western Pinyon Ridge on Jasper Trail/Old Culp Valley Rd or are those dirt roads closed? Have never been on Pinyon Ridge but looks like an interesting place to hike/camp.