Over 100 Miles of Trails Reopen in the Angeles National Forest
A year and a half after one of California's biggest wildfires scorched 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest, things are getting back to normal. 98,000 acres of the Station Fire burn area reopened today, allowing access to over 100 miles of trails and several recreational areas.
Officials now have a zoomable map of the Station Fire Recovery Area, but viewers should note that the areas inside the blue line--in the key, it's marked as 01-11-03--remain closed, save for the July 2nd opening of the Hidden Springs Picnic Area and Monte Cristo Campground along Big Tujunga Canyon Road, the county-maintained road that is also currently open.
Highway 2, operated by Caltrans, however, remains closed. It is expected to be open by the end of Spring, at the very least.
Trail and area reopenings include the "Indian Canyon Trailhead, Charlton Flat Picnic Area, Gould Mesa Campground, Bear Canyon Trail, Paul Little Picnic Area, Mill Creek Summit Picnic Area, Silver Moccasin Trail, Nature's Canteen Trail, Sunset Ridge Trail, and the entire San Gabriel Wilderness area," according to the Forest Service, which noted "the portion of the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through the Forest will reopen as well, with some minor reroutes."
For specifics, Casey Schreiner at Modern Hiker has a detailed list and other insider information.
And as Forest Service says, "Know Before You Go." Basically, check the website, call the office and check in at visitor centers before heading into the forest because things can change, even to reopened areas, due to additional construction or other emergencies.
Some additional reopenings may be announced later, but nothing major like today's is expected for another year, according to the Forest Service.