Lake Fire Detour Directions - Jan obejít požár "Lake Fire"

Copied from Facebook. Search "Magician's Lake Fire" on the PCT Class of 2016 Facebook group.
THANK YOU Magician and Hikin Jim for testing this route !!!!

*Updated*
Magician's Lake Fire Closure Alternate Walking Route.

This route is @ 45 miles long. It leaves the PCT at mile 221 and rejoins the PCT at mile 262. It makes extensive use of 4WD dirt roads and around 5 miles of walking beside Route 62 that can be avoided if you are willing to take secondary roads at the expense of adding an extra 5 miles.

This route will take you through the community of Yucca Valley which is a large community with three large grocery stores, dozens of restaurants, a Post Office,  and many inexpensive motels.

This guide is written in three parts. This is guide version 2 which was written on May 1st, 2016. The entire route has been hiked, and the water source at mile 43 is flowing as of May 1st.

I would like to acknowledge the work of 'Hikin-Jim' on the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association forum and Arco Tom. I took parts of both of their research into consideration in planning this route. Any mistakes are my own.

Use this guide at your own risk.

***Part One***
PCT to Mission Creek Rd / Route 62
5.2 Miles

PCT Mile 221.7

Sign, take right fork towards 'Mission Creek Stone House'

Alt Mile 1.6

Mission Creek Preserve Sign

Alt Mile 1.8
Stream, flowing well 4/26

Alt Mile  2.0
Junction with Mission Creek Rd,  Stone House straight ahead.  Turn right onto Mission Creek Rd.

Stone House:
Good place to take refuge from weather.  Clean Bathrooms with running water and sinks. Potable water faucet behind bathrooms.  Many picnic tables.
*Fill up on water here!*

There are no more water sources for another ten miles.

Go straight through parking area, follow dirt road.

Alt 2.4
Another 4WD road feeds into Mission Creek Rd,  go left.
Lat 34.01013 Lon -116.62609

Alt 3.4
Pass remains of four bunk houses
Lat 34.00159 Lon -116.61371

Alt Mile 3.6
Gate

Alt Mile 4.4
Private dirt road, veer right
Lat 33.99669 Lon -116.59563

Alt Mile 4.9
Here Mission Creek Rd turns southeast,  I cut through the bush east. You can do that or just follow Mission Creek Rd southeast 1/3 to Route 62 and then turn left (north).
Lat 33.99242 Lon -116.58746

***Part Two***

Mission Creek Rd / Route 62 to Pioneertown Rd

14 Miles

Route 62
Alt Mile 5.1
Turn left (north)
Lat 33.99214 Lon -116.58069

***Note about Route 62***
This is a busy freeway. However traffic can be easily avoided.  I myself walked in the wide island between the two lanes of traffic and had 25' of clearence on either side. Optionally you can cross the road and make your way north on the east side of the road through the scrub. Eventually you must get to the east side.  Either way you only need to go north 1.3 miles before you leave Route 62
Alt Mile 6.4
Route 62 enters a mountain pass. To the east of the road (right hand side) is a wash basin. This is actually the path that the old Route 62 used to take. It is covered with sand, rocks, and weeds but it is there. You will follow this up to Morongo Valley and be well away from traffic.

Alt Mile 7.2
Reach abandoned asphalt road
Lat 34.01822 Lon -116.58086

Alt Mile 8.4

Follow dirt road under Route 62 bridge.
Lat 34.03296 Lon -116.59109

Alt Mile 8.6
Dirt road forks, take right fork
Lat 34.03317 Lon -116.59294

Alt Mile 8.7
Come to junction with dirt road,  take left and immediately take the right. This is a paved road - Canyon House Rd

Lat 34.03455 Lon -116.59518

Alt Mile 9.7
Valero Gas Station and Convenience Store
Avoid this store - they are hostile to hikers. The Circle K a few hundred feet up are friendlier,  have a larger selection, and are cheaper.

Lat 34.04373 Lon -116.58442

***Note on Route 62, Pt II***

At this point make your way north @ 5 miles to the intersection of Route 62 and Highland Rd. Route 62 has a 6' shoulder and often you can walk even further off road. Out of the 5 miles I only walked @ 500" on the shoulder itself. If you prefer to avoid this altogether you can weave through a series of secondary roads northward,  but this will double the the five mile distance.

Alt Mile 14.7
To the Northwest of Route 62 is a dirt access road with a public right of way. It parallels Route 62 for the next 2.7 miles. It is not on any map and even locals are unaware of its existence, but it is there! This will take you all the way into Yucca Valley and ends in front of the Travelodge Motel.

Alt Mile 17.4
Travelodge Motel

From here you need to walk alongside Route 62 for 1.5 miles. There is only occasional bits of sidewalk but when there is none there is a dirt path beside the road,  with a raised curb between road and path.

***About Yucca Valley***

There are numerous grocery stores and restaurants.  I stayed at the Super8 Motel for a listed rate of $55/night. The Travelodge is a bit more and there are some non-chain motels that are cheaper.  I was able to buy propane fuel canisters at the outdoor sports store in town called Big 5 Sporting Goods. There is also a Post Office.

***Part Three***
Route 62 / Pioneertown Rd to PCT

Alt Mile 18.9
Pioneertown Rd
Go North

Alt Mile 23.0
Pappy And Harriets Bar and Grill
Have lunch, fill up on water for next section!

***Warning, it is 20 miles to next water source****

Alt Mile 32.1
Top of platou, long climb over
2/4 bars reception with AT&T, last reception for a while
Lat 34.21438 Lon -116.60925

Alt Mile 35.0
Intersection Viscera Spring Rd,  sign
Go left
Lat 34.23216 Lon -116.63893

Alt Mile 35.2
Road Forks, take left fork
This is now FS Rd 2N02 but also still called Burns Canyon Road
Lat 34.23359 Lon -116.64443

Old Mine to the southwest
Lat 34.23138 Lon -116.65814

Alt Mile 37.0
Fork with access trail, take right fork
Lat 34.22918 Lon -116.67693

Rose Mine
Lat 34.24323 Lon -116.69913

Alt Mile 41.0
Junction with 3N03, go left to keep following 2N02
Lat 34.25616 Lon -116.71688

Alt Mile 43.0
Arrastre Creek
Small stream under concrete bridge
Lat 34.2553 Lon -116.74451

Good flow, 5/1 - Magician
Good campsite

Alt Mile 45.0
Lat 34.26935 Lon -116.76783
Rejoin PCT
Easy to miss, look for big sign to the right of the road,  says "A Careless Match.... Destroys" on the front and has fire restrictions on the back. PCT itself is unmarked.