Mt. San Jacinto State Park Superintendent Mark Hudgens announced that the Willow Creek Trial, closed by the 2013 Mountain Fire, is now open. “With the dedication and hard work of both [state] Parks and [U.S.] Forest Service staff and volunteers, the trail has been cleared and is now safe to travel upon.”
The trail, within the Mt. San Jacinto State Park and the San Bernardino National Forest, is the main trail that connects the town of Idyllwild to Long Valley within the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The trail is popular with hikers who want to “through hike” from Idyllwild to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, or vice versa.
Hikers traveling on any trail within the state park and wilderness must have a day-use or overnight hiking permit from state parks that can be obtained at the Long Valley Ranger Station and at Idyllwild/Stone Creek campgrounds. Day-use hiking permits are free. California State Parks also accepts day-use hiking permits issued by the USFS.
All camping within the state wilderness must be done within one of four designated campgrounds. Campfires are never allowed in the wilderness.
California State Parks and USFS would like to remind hikers to have proper hiking equipment, appropriate clothing for weather conditions, a hiking plan and to stay on designated trails. Hikers are reminded especially to pack out all trash.
It may be a coincidence, but the trails reopened soon after a local concerned citizen complained to Senator Feinstein about the delay in reopening the trails.