Vivian Creek: Closed. Falling trees!

kristo5747 · Post by **kristo5747** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 2:25 pm

Got there in the early morning hours of 10/9 with my permit in hand.

Gate to the Vivian Creek parking area was shut "closed for the season".

I then parked and followed the bank of the creek to the trail-head.

All I saw was red tape(!) all over with "trail closed -- falling trees" signs at several spots.

I am not one to tempt fate (am too old to dodge falling trees) so I drove to Mt Baldy to make something out this day. Did Bear flats to West Baldy.

I don't understand why was I granted a permit if the trail was closed.

A bit disappointing. It was a beautiful day to hike Gorgonio. Oh well.

AlanK · Post by **AlanK** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 2:58 pm

The right hand does not appear to know what the left hand is doing.

I did Baldy on Friday having decided earlier in the week to put off a Vivian Creek hike. Evidently, "put off" for a while.

Elwood · Post by **Elwood** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 3:25 pm

It's Jody's new austerity plan for the Bernardino N.F. No hikers, no trails to maintain or patrol. I can see the call for air tankers for the Yucaipa ridge crossing her new desk already.

mattmaxon · Post by **mattmaxon** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 3:27 pm

Elwood wrote:It's Jody's new austerity plan for the Bernardino N.F.

Yeah she did such a fine job here. Left the place a burned out hulk... Her job is done!

AlanK · Post by **AlanK** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 3:33 pm

You guys are right! She got transferred and the trees started falling. It all happened too fast to revoke any permits.

The SGW is doomed!

Post by **Taco** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 3:39 pm

The trees are voicing their opinion of their new overlord.

kristo5747 · Post by **kristo5747** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 3:42 pm

TacoDelRio wrote:The trees are voicing their opinion of their new overlord.

Uhh....what the heck are you guys talking about? Who's Jody? Some bureaucrat?

Signed,

Clueless me.

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:26 pm

kristo5747 wrote:Gate to the Vivian Creek parking area was shut "closed for the season".

I bumped into this gate on Saturday as well, with permit in hand, at 11pm, in the middle of a Triple Crown attempt. Needless to say that was a rather rude surprise.

My immediate reaction was the same as Elwood's -- "Jody works quickly!".

Kristo, note that the "Trail Closed - Falling Trees" signs and the gate closure are two separate things. The lower portion of the VC Trail was rerouted due to tree cutting along the banks of VC. The reroute was in place before the gate was closed.

I interpreted the sign as indicating merely that the the road was closed to vehicle traffic. I was relieved to find that it was only a 5 minute walk up the road to the Vivian Creek trailhead, from where it is still possible to walk the rerouted lower portion of the VC trail.

kristo5747 wrote:Uhh....what the heck are you guys talking about? Who's Jody? Some bureaucrat?

See here.

hvydrt · Post by **hvydrt** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 6:13 pm

turtle wrote:in the middle of a Triple Crown attempt.

How did it go???

turtle · Post by **turtle** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 6:25 pm

hvydrt wrote:
turtle wrote:in the middle of a Triple Crown attempt.
How did it go???

Trip report coming soon in a separate thread.

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:11 am

The Vivian Creek trail sux anyway.

Hiked it last month for the first time in 20 years. Now I know why I waited 20 years to do it. If it takes another 20 years for me to hike that trail again it will be too soon.