Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mt Whitney hikers evacuated?!?!? Assio Press Wire

Nev. wildfires force hundreds to flee
By MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press Writer
37 minutes ago

In California, more than 400 firefighters battled a blaze that has consumed 17,000 acres of the 2 million-acre Inyo National Forest east of Yosemite National Park, forest spokeswoman Nancy Upham said Saturday. Firefighters were searching for and evacuating hikers and backpackers on and near the popular trail to Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states.

At least 200 people from the small town of Independence were evacuated, officials said, and a section of Highway 395, which runs along the eastern spine of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, was closed. Campgrounds and a lodge had been evacuated, Upham said.

Anyone?.. Doug? Wondering what the situation is there this a.m. Our backpacks are packed, sitting in the living room, ready to head up for our July 12 permit date. Is the trail open? Which direction is the fire spreading? We'll appreciate any info
anyone can share from up there. Our LA Times info isn't always up-tp-date. Thanks!

I just talked to the permit office and permits are still being issued for Whitney, it's just smoky up there. (I'm getting in the car in about three minutes and will be up there this afternoon...not sure my lungs will thank me...)

I think the confusion is the evac of Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery.

Thanks. Sure hope they nail the fire quickly. Good luck on your climb. Let us all know how things are up there when you get back.

Randuf, my permit date is for July 12th also. (Out the 15th.) Like the song says, "My bags are packed, I'm ready to go..." I am hoping that SBSLOWPOKE is correct, and the AP writer was confused about the evacuation of the Mt Whitney Trail, and it is the Mt Whitney fish hatchery instead. If not, at least we have a couple of days for the fire people to get this blaze knocked down. Hope to see you on the Mountain on the 12th !! White Tundra

I have a group scheduled to go up next Thursdsay too. As Randruf said; we don't get much info. in LA. Grateful for any further information from 'locals'.

White Tundra & Thetoffa: We're also scheduled in the 12th & out the 15th. We're
a group of 7...the "Oldie-But-Still-Able (Sorta)" group. Tomorrow's my 63rd birthday, & if we summit as planned on Sat., it will be my 15th time on the top. Hope I can call my grandkids to tell them where Grandma is!

Summited yesterday(07/07/07), Drove back to sacramento today, the fire is'nt close to whitney its north of independance... the trail is fine! No worries and good times!

From what I understand, the trails they are concerned about are those starting from Onion Valley, which is 13 miles west of Independence. The fire is closer to Independence and Big Pine than it is to Lone Pine. But hikers can get to Mt Whitney from Onion Valley. Michael

You can see the smoke from Whitney, but there is no evacuation.

So the AP wire story from yesterday was wrong, and no hikers or backpackers were evacuated off Mt Whitney by firefighters?? I am glad to hear that. I'll be up there tomorrow night, and stepping off Thursday morning, right after pancakes!

Does anyone know if Onion Valley is still closed? We're supposed to start out on Sun. from Onion Valley.

INCIDENT UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO
Summary
A thunder and lightning storm moved quickly through the Eastern Sierra Friday afternoon, July 6, 2007, igniting approximately 10 fires being managed as the Inyo Complex. As of Monday night, the two fires being managed as as the Inyo Complex include the Sage Fire burning in Big Pine Canyon and the Seven/Oak Fires burning west and north of Independence, on both sides of US 395.

Evacuations: The following areas remain in evacuation status- Baker Creek Campground, North Fork of Oak Creek Canyon including Oak Creek Campground, Onion Valley Campground, Black Rock and Mt. Whitney Fish Hatcheries.

No communities are in evacuation status at this time.

US 395 is open at this time, but is subject to closure if necessary for fire or smoke.

The roads up the North Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, and Onion Valley Road above the Seven Pines Recreation Tractremain closed to the public.

No wilderness permits for the John Muir Wilderness are being issued for the trailheads between Baker Creek and Georges Creek, until at least July 12.

Still closed. They are hoping to open things up in time for this weekend if they can get all the hot spots put out.

Just found this on the Inciweb site. Looks like Onion Valley road may open tonight.

Acting Forest Supervisor Marlene Finley has announced some important road openings within the Inyo Complex fire area. The Glacier Road, providing access to the campgrounds, cabins, and trailheads of Big Pine Canyon, as well as Glacier Lodge and Glacier Pack Trains, reopened at 10:00 am Tuesday morning. Onion Valley Road was also reopened to Upper and Lower Grays Meadow Campgrounds and Seven Pines recreation residence tract. The rest of the road up to Onion Valley may open as early as Tuesday evening.


The Baxter Pass and Oak Creek roads will remain closed until further notice due to fire activity in the area.


Wilderness permits are now being issued for the trailheads at Shepherd Pass and in Big Pine Canyon.