Anyone on the list do any hiking/camping in northern Arizona area, anywhere near Big Bear Lake,(special permits required) or the area around Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest up to New Mexico state line please contact before the gates close for the winter. It looks like it will a dry winter with low snow.

I have hiked there a lot, but it was a few years ago. What did the fires do to that area last summer?

I would say you should keep an eye of the weather forecast. It is time for snow.

In some places it was pure hell, but in most it flew in the tops and left huge patches untouched. Those were fantastic places to go before the fire. In that zone I have hiked in four seasons, snow is not the issue so much as getting there is. Most of the most interesting places are locked out now by new government regulations. Example is the waterfalls behind Nutrioso and down toward Hannigans Meadow (permit) that are now gated to keep beginners out.