Partially washed out in a few areas on Bear Canyon before Four Corners and on the decline approaching the water trough near the final scramble. No flying insects on Bear Canyon but I’d expect them in the next month or so.

Plan extra drive time for 2023. There will be many road construction delays on Ortega Highway (74) with the roadway down to only 1 lane and crews using flagmen and pilot vehicles. This morning the north closure was at the Candy Store and trailhead parking entrance and I had a 20 minute delay a mere 1/8 mile before the parking coming from Lake Elsinore side. The 1 PM delay was longer. I saw cars lined up while I was descending (when you can first see the parking), I visited the candy store for a treat, and I crossed to the parking lot. The same cars were still waiting. I asked the flagman how long until the cars will more. Maybe 20 more minutes. Thank goodness I left the other way. But a second delay of 10 minutes was 1 mile to the bottom of the hill.