Bear Creek / Camp Nelson Trail

I think the report from Erin is about as good as you're gonna get. I haven't talked to Jeff in quite a while....

Bear Creek Trail - Needs a lot of work. A lot of snow at the top too. I would not recommend attempting this until Mid July, and even then, there will likely still be a lot of downed trees. The lower section gets fun though. This trail just needs some love.

Nelson Trail - Excellent shape. The walk a bike back up to Quaking Aspen is not too bad. Such a beautiful trail.
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Hey guys, sorry for being MIA. We are having an epic whitewater season on the Kern so I haven't been on my bike in months. I can't tell you what the Bear Creek trail conditions are right now. I can tell you that I haven't worked on it and last year I was basically the only one who did. I will see what I can find out.
 
I talked to Shidan who used to live up there and do a lot of trailwork with me. He was in town last week and rode Bear Creek. He said it was not as bad as he was expecting but there were plenty of downed trees and debris on the trail. I will get up there at some point to clean it up but I'm not sure exactly when. A later date for your trip would increase the probability that it is clear. He also said that the Camp Nelson Trail is in good shape.
 
jfsh said:
I talked to Shidan who used to live up there and do a lot of trailwork with me. He was in town last week and rode Bear Creek. He said it was not as bad as he was expecting but there were plenty of downed trees and debris on the trail. I will get up there at some point to clean it up but I'm not sure exactly when. A later date for your trip would increase the probability that it is clear. He also said that the Camp Nelson Trail is in good shape.
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Thanks Jeff!
Let us know when you go up to do some trailwork. I would like to shake free of work and help if possible.
Thanks man!
 
Hey guys, I have some Bear Creek news. I went up on Sunday and did some trail work. I removed around 15-20 trees on the top 1/3 of the trail. For those who know the trail I cleared the initial climb, the first downhill section, the second shorter climb, them started down the main downhill section for a short distance before I ran out of gas for the chainsaw. I haven't ridden it yet so I'm not sure what condition the rest of it is in. I will get back up there to finish it up in a few weeks.
 
jfsh said:
Hey guys, I have some Bear Creek news. I went up on Sunday and did some trail work. I removed around 15-20 trees on the top 1/3 of the trail. For those who know the trail I cleared the initial climb, the first downhill section, the second shorter climb, them started down the main downhill section for a short distance before I ran out of gas for the chainsaw. I haven't ridden it yet so I'm not sure what condition the rest of it is in. I will get back up there to finish it up in a few weeks.
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Wow! I was thinking that trail would disapear. Are you riding a moto to get to it? BTW that is one of the best trails I have ever riddin! Beautiful up there!
 
jfsh said:
Hey guys, I have some Bear Creek news. I went up on Sunday and did some trail work. I removed around 15-20 trees on the top 1/3 of the trail. For those who know the trail I cleared the initial climb, the first downhill section, the second shorter climb, them started down the main downhill section for a short distance before I ran out of gas for the chainsaw. I haven't ridden it yet so I'm not sure what condition the rest of it is in. I will get back up there to finish it up in a few weeks.
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My HERO!! Now I just need to get my ass up there!

Thanks dude!
 
jfsh said:
Hey guys, I have some Bear Creek news. I went up on Sunday and did some trail work. I removed around 15-20 trees on the top 1/3 of the trail. For those who know the trail I cleared the initial climb, the first downhill section, the second shorter climb, them started down the main downhill section for a short distance before I ran out of gas for the chainsaw. I haven't ridden it yet so I'm not sure what condition the rest of it is in. I will get back up there to finish it up in a few weeks.
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Ahh Geeze Jeff! Hollar!
I,would drive up to help you. Sure a couple other guys would as well.
Thanks man!
Mikie
 
Just saw this posted. Last report was 1500 acres so far.

#PierFire - Sequoia National Forest - Highway 190 is currently closed between Balch Park turnoff above Springville, and Fox road along the Western Divide Highway below Ponderosa. Several communities near Camp Nelson are in the process of being evacuated while fire managers take action to suppress this fire. U.S. Forest Service and Tulare County Fire Department are in unified command at this time.
The following communities are under a mandatory evacuation order: Pierpoint Springs, Wishon, Doyle Springs, Alpine, Sequoia Crest, Cedar Slope, and Camp Nelson. Ponderosa remains under a voluntary evacuation advisory. All residents who are evacuating are advised to use east bound Highway 190 to the Western Divide Highway.
Evacuation Center: Porterville College at the Student Conference Center, located at 100 East College Avenue in Porterville.
An Incident Command Team has been ordered. The cause of the fire is under investigation. For more information, please call 559-539-2607 ext. 2292
 
UPSed said:
Just saw this posted. Last report was 1500 acres so far.

#PierFire - Sequoia National Forest - Highway 190 is currently closed between Balch Park turnoff above Springville, and Fox road along the Western Divide Highway below Ponderosa. Several communities near Camp Nelson are in the process of being evacuated while fire managers take action to suppress this fire. U.S. Forest Service and Tulare County Fire Department are in unified command at this time.
The following communities are under a mandatory evacuation order: Pierpoint Springs, Wishon, Doyle Springs, Alpine, Sequoia Crest, Cedar Slope, and Camp Nelson. Ponderosa remains under a voluntary evacuation advisory. All residents who are evacuating are advised to use east bound Highway 190 to the Western Divide Highway.
Evacuation Center: Porterville College at the Student Conference Center, located at 100 East College Avenue in Porterville.
An Incident Command Team has been ordered. The cause of the fire is under investigation. For more information, please call 559-539-2607 ext. 2292
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Wow, that's scary for those folks up there.
 
Update on the Pier fire burning near Camp Nelson. The fire grew overnight to over 3500 acres and is only 2.5 miles from Camp Nelson. Fortunately the fire burned mostly south and north but Camp Nelson is up the canyon from the fire and the mountains are thick with dead trees. 0% containment.
 
bigringrider101 said:
That sucks. There are some giant trees there. "Trail of 100 giants" is near there
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Fire helps giant sequoias in many ways. Small, green cones full of seeds awaiting germination grow near the crown of the trees, yet without fire or insects to crack open the cone, the seeds remain trapped inside. Green cones can live with viable seeds inside them for up to twenty years. Fire dries out the cones, enabling them to crack open and deposit their seeds on the forest floor.

The trees will be fine. It's the people that build in those areas that are in trouble.
 
Mikie said:
If you go to my previous Ride Report, the video is down cuz I forgot to pay my Vimeo bill. :eek:Oops! Be up later today.
Would like to discuss a date we could get together and ride this. It is worth the drive. <--Mikie Watson Trail Event Guarantee!
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Any chance of doing this ride this weekend Mikie? Sounds like the right location to escape the heat. I'd be up for Saturday, Sunday, or Monday and even a couple days with camping out.
 
jfsh said:
Hey guys, sorry for being MIA. We are having an epic whitewater season on the Kern so I haven't been on my bike in months. I can't tell you what the Bear Creek trail conditions are right now. I can tell you that I haven't worked on it and last year I was basically the only one who did. I will see what I can find out.
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@jfsh , I'm a whitewater paddler too but haven't found folks out on this coast to paddle with. I paddle class 3 and 4 including creeks back east. Let me know what the Kern is like and if you are headed out this weekend I'd love to join you. I can bring my boat and bike so if a ride materializes I'll do both.
 
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NewEnglander said:
Any chance of doing this ride this weekend Mikie? Sounds like the right location to escape the heat. I'd be up for Saturday, Sunday, or Monday and even a couple days with camping out.
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Hey Mike,
I got to stay local this weekend. There is rumor of fire up there, so may not be a good choice. I really look forward to meeting and riding with you!

@jfsh is one outstanding dude, and has good friends up in Kernville to paddle with. I put an @ symbol in front of jfsh in your post so as to "alert" Jeff of your post.

If you send him a "conversation" it will send him an email automatically.
 
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