Late snows mean fewer Memorial Day campsites

Plenty of snow in the mountains this year is a good — for everyone except campers looking for Memorial Day weekend campsites.

“This year has been unusually wet, with precipitation in the high country greater than each of the last 12 years,” said Denise Alonzo, spokesperson for Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument.

“As a result, there will be fewer roads and campgrounds open by Memorial Day weekend,” she said.

Although some Forest Service campgrounds in the local mountain will be open, the latest information is that campgrounds at Tulare County-operated Balch Park and nearby Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest will not be open, Alonzo said.

Tulare County Parks and Recreation Director Neil Pilegard said it is the first time in at least ten years that Balch Park has not been open for Memorial Day.

“It may be the middle of June,” he said. Typically the county campground with 71 sites is open for several weekends before the big Memorial Day weekend and is always at capacity over the popular holiday. The loss of revenue will have an impact on the agency’s budget, Pilegard noted.

At Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, which surrounds Balch Park and typically accommodates campers in 96 spaces at its six campgrounds, Forest Manager Jim Kral said popular ponds are frozen over and two to four and a half feet of snow remained on the ground yesterday with more snow expected this week.

The roads are icy and dangerous, Kral said, and not recommended for visitors.

In fact, for the first time in its history, Mountain Home will take snow measurements for the state Dept. of Water Resources in June, the forest manager said.

The following roads and campgrounds located in the Western Divide Ranger District are expected to be open by the holiday weekend — Wishon, Leavis Flat, Coy Flat, Redwood Meadow and Lower Peppermint.

The following roads will be open: Western Divide Highway (M107), Parker Pass (M50), Lloyd Meadow Road (FS 22S82), Capinero Road (FS 23S05), Jack Ranch Road (FS 24S05) and Last Chance (FS22S02).

Alonzo said Golden Trout Wilderness trailheads accessible for the holiday weekend are Jerkey Meadow Trailhead, and Forks of the Kern Trailhead.  

“Rivers are at peak flows and visitors are advised to use extreme caution in the vicinity of swift flowing water,” Alonzo noted. “High spring run-off will make stream crossings hazardous or impossible,” she said.

This year the weather is well behind the calendar with mountain snowstorms still on forecasts.

“Weather and road conditions can change rapidly at this time of year,” Alonzo said. “Mountain passes are subject to immediate controls and/or closures. Drivers headed to the mountains need to be sure their vehicles are equipped with chains, including those with snow tires. Call 1-800-427-ROAD (1-800-427-7623), or visit the web at www.dot.ca.gov for California highway conditions and construction schedules.”

Work is ongoing to clear most campground sites of debris left over from the winter storms, Alonzo said.
“In order to ensure a camping spot, advanced reservations are recommended by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov.

Visitors are required to have a California campfire permit to use a portable gas stove, barbecue, lantern, or campfire outside a developed campground or recreation area. A campfire permit can be obtained, free of charge, at any Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Bureau of Land Management office or by visiting the Sequoia National Forest website and downloading a copy of the permit at www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia.

For more information visit or call the Western Divide Ranger District office in Springville, 32588 Highway 190, 539-2607. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office will be open Saturday May 29 and closed on Memorial Day, May 31.

Information about other areas of Sequoia National Forest is available at the Sequoia National Forest website, as well.