The photo gallery for this section of the PCT is a short one for a number of reasons. For one thing, I had skipped over this area in my desire to get up into the higher country to the east, and I didn't think that at these lower elevations in July there would be much blooming. For another, it is officially closed. The reason is the protection of the southern mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa), for which only nine populations are known in Southern California, in the San Gabriel, San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Human impact on the frog's viability has been suggested as the cause of its decline, but recent studies show that trout predation is a far greater cause, and the Forest Service began several years ago removing the trout from Little Rock Creek. Already there has been an increase in the frog population. Other negative impacts on the frogs are the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, air pollution and long term changes in weather patterns, none of which have anything to do with hikers on the trail. As to whether authorities will eventually rescind the trail closure, I can't even speculate, although it seems unlikely no matter how bogus their reason for closing it is. The pictures in this photo gallery were taken in years prior to the closure. Currently the PCT officially detours 20 miles north to the Devil's Punchbowl and Burkhart Saddle. I refer the viewer to the master list of PCT species by trail section which I have been maintaining, and which is available here. This section of the trail begins at the Eagle's Roost Picnic Area at 6650' and drops 1-1/2 miles into Rattlesnake Canyon, crossing Little Rock Creek at 6080', then reaching the Burkhart Trail at 5640' in another 2-1/2 miles. From this point you have the option of going either north or south on the Burkhart Trail to Burkhart Saddle or Buckhorn Campground, or south and then west on the PCT to Cloudburst Summit.

Beaked penstemon
Penstemon rostriflorus
Plantaginaceae

California cliff brake
Pellaea mucronata var. californica
Pteridaceae

Canyon live oak
Quercus chrysolepis
Fagaceae

Bush monkeyflower
Mimulus aurantiacus var. pubescens
Phrymaceae

Showy brewer's lupine
Lupinus breweri var. grandiflorus
Fabaceae
[Named for William Henry Brewer, 1828-1910]

Rock goldenbush
Ericameria cuneata var. cuneata
Asteraceae