I hiked up to Inspiration Point from Lake Avenue today. When I got to Echo Mountian, it looked like the Upper Sam Merrill Trail was open. I decided to take it and started up, passing right by a group of Forest Service folks. They said it was closed. I asked how I would know that and they pointed to a nice new sign. It looked like a trail sign, which I ignore since I know those trails very well. They agreed that it was not particularly helpful. I took the Castle Canyon Trail both ways. When I came down, the Sam Merrill closed sign had been moved to the center of the trail. Not a great "closed" sign, but certainly a better location. I would have noticed that the first time.
I had not been to this area since last spring. There is basically no sign of fire damage until one is very close to Inspiration Point. It was spared but a lot to the north and west burned. There was another great "closed" sign at Inspiration Point.
There were a lot of people out today, all the way to Inspiration Point. I don't recall seeing more than a couple people on Castle Canyon before but there were many today.
Pictures
Sign is missing 2010-01-17...