A section of the Pacific Crest Trail and the South Ridge Trail, among other areas, reopened to the public on Saturday, Dec. 15, officials with San Bernardino National Forest announced Friday.
The news came on the heels of changes with two fire-related forest orders.
First, the recent order for the Cranston Fire Closure Area will be updated to reflect a smaller footprint. Secondly, the order for the last remaining closure area related to the 2013 Mountain Fire has expired.
The following trail portions have reopened to visitors and hikers:
• The remaining 8-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) closed by the Mountain Fire, between Spitler Peak and Tahquitz Valley
• South Ridge Trail (3E08) from the trailhead to Tahquitz Peak
• Forest Road 5S11 (South Ridge Road) to the South Ridge Trailhead
• The three Yellow Post sites along 5S11
• Caramba Trail (3E04) from Skunk Cabbage junction to Caramba Falls, and Cedar Trail (3E16). These two trails, where vegetation has been overgrown since the Mountain Fire, are not maintained.
The new forest order for the Cranston Fire Closure Area keeps trails and roads around May Valley closed. It is set to expire July 31, 2019, but may be shortened or extended depending on recovery of the area.