Date: Fri, Jan 20, 2023 at 11:42 AM
Subject: Mineral King Road
Friends,
I'm getting feedback that you may believe the road is 100% closed. I want to be very clear on my stance.
The road is closed to motor vehicles. Approximately ½ mile into the park there has been a large land slide that went over the road in a section where the road has been undercut (photo attached). Attempting to drive a motor vehicle over this is likely to result in further damage to the road. This is not the only undercut we are aware of.
I am not restricting access to your properties. Until we can get heavy equipment out there, it is unlikely you will find anyone working on the road or impacting our ability to get work done. There is minor road damage up to the ½ mile above the lower gate. I am asking you not to drive on the road past the gate as there is little to no parking, and limited space to turn around there.
Walking and bike riding is not restricted at this time. I am issuing a warning that we do not know the status of the road, the number of washouts, the ease or ability to access Mineral King or Silver City.
As discussed in the public forum last night, we are trying to get an overflight of the road tomorrow and may have more information about SIGNIFICANT washouts or issues, but that does not preclude road damage we can't see or assess from the air.
Now that the weather is lightening up, there is a potential for snow melt, that could cause flash flooding or other portions of the road that just fail.
While I don't recommend the long walk at this time, I am not prohibiting it.
If you choose to visit your cabin, sharing any photos of the area would be helpful. Please geotag them if possible, and share them with the group.
Thanks,
Dave Fox
Sequoia District Ranger
559-565-3710 office
559-565-3195 24-hour emergency operations center
9-1-1 Physical Emergency
9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Hotline
No comments:
Post a Comment