US Forestry Road Storm Damage 2023

Inyo National Forest closes roads due to storm damage

Bishop, Calif., April 19, 2023 — To protect public safety and natural resources, the Inyo National Forest is closing several lower-elevation dirt roads this week due to severe storm damage and prediction of spring snowmelt runoff impacting them further.
The following roads will be closed via official Forest Closure Order starting April 20, 2023:

  • Forest Road 6S02 (Silver Canyon Road, closed at Forest boundary)
  • Forest Road 6S01 (Wyman Canyon Road, closed at Forest boundary)
  • Forest Road 7S10 (Coyote Flat/Valley Road from Bishop, closed just past kiosk)
  • Forest Road 9S19 (Sugarloaf Road, closed at Baker Creek)
  • Forest Roads 32E311, 32E303, 32E307, 32E302 (area west of Warren Bench, accessible from Sugarloaf or Glacier Lodge Roads)

Maps for these roads are available on the Inyo National Forest’s Motor Vehicle Use Maps, however separate detailed and specific maps are available on the website under “Alerts and Notices.”

Coyote Flats area map

Silver Canyon area map

Forest officials want to remind the public of the following:

  • Going around closed roads, boulders, blockades, or driving over carsonite posts or through ruts creates further resource damage and also endangers the traveler and others. Not to mention, this creates a further backlog of repair work for our staff, which could cause the road closures to last longer.
  • Region-wide, the road damage repair is so extensive that repairs may not be done in a timely enough manner before reopening. Therefore, if a road appears to be fine to drive but it is officially closed, it is imperative that you stay off it.
  • Travelling over snow-covered roadways results in water flowing down ruts created by the vehicles, causing road damage and erosion.
  • Violation of entering closed roads is punishable by a fine of $5,000 or less for an individual, $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for six months or both.

“We know everyone is anxious to get outside and start enjoying their springtime adventures on the Inyo, and we are doing everything we can to make repairs and re-open roads as conditions allow,” said Acting District Ranger Scott Kusumoto. “Additionally, if you come upon any other road washout, erosion, or other damage, play it safe and turn around instead of potentially endangering yourself and damaging sensitive resources.”

The order for these road closures will be terminated as soon as road conditions allow for safe travel, either when snow melt is complete or when damaged sections are repaired.

Inyo National Forest staff have been working with other local organizations to determine the extent of damage, or if other obstacles such as severe erosion cuts, rockslides, tree blowdown, etc. has impacted forest roads and infrastructure. Unknown obstacles currently hidden under snow will continue to be evaluated as the spring and summer seasons progress. There is a high possibility that additional roads will be closed in the future.

Other land management agency roads that lead into Forest Service roads may also be closed:

 

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