The Needles Hike

“The one in the Sequoias.
Can you get from Quaking Aspen Campgrounds or where 190 gets closed, to the Needles going crosscountry in the snow? Looks doable on the map.
Might settle for Soda Springs.
Anyone know these parts??”

“Where are you located? Are you close to this location?

It's probably doable ....pretty dense forest though. I'd follow the road in.
There is a gate on the stairs ( it's all built up to keep you from climbing around it too )to the fire lookout that will be closed...so you won't be able to get all the way to the top of the tower...but close, real close.

When are you planning to do this?”

“Hey WindWalker;

I'm in San Diego. Going up the morning of March 22. Figure I'd get some info from Springville Rangers. If we can get to Soda Springs, is the scenery there worth the trip? Hoping the snow will let us cut some corners on the trail.
Hiking the road from the closure looks like 7plus miles to the Needles. The tower is not really a must do for me. Just want to get on some rock.”

“I walked across the street after posting ....My neighbor works for the Springville Ranger Station.
I was going to pick her brain for you but she wasn't home...I'll ask her when I see her...maybe in the morning. (We leave for work at the same time)”

“Thanks WW.

Email me if you want. Do you live near the area?”

“Yep... Porterville”

“The road is no more than 3 miles (maybe only 2.5) with 2' of snow on it. The trail is 2.5 miles from end of the road to the Needles Lookout. The Needles lookout road is on the left after The Quaking Aspen Campground and before you get to Ponderosa. The Road (190/ Western Divide Highway) is closed about a mile past Ponderosa.”