USFS news release, prepared by Deb Schweizer

I received several calls inquiring about a State of the Inyo, so here it is.  There are only a handful of changes: The Glacier Lodge Rd is open (Big Pine) and Caltrans opened Hwy 120E (Benton) today.

Inyo County reports that they are starting to clear roads: Whitney Portal, South Lake Rd. and Sabrina as their priorities.  They report snow (of course) and rockslides that will need to be cleared, so there is substantial work ahead.

Mono County shares that they will be starting to clear the Rock Creek Road to the pack station in the next week.

The State of the Inyo, current as of 4/8/19

Mono Lake Ranger District

Roads open: Hwy 158 from south junction @ Hwy 395 to 3.5 miles north of June Lake Village, Hwy 120 E (Benton).

Roads Closed: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Sonora Pass (Hwy 108), Bodie (Hwy 270), Lundy Lake Rd. (1.5 miles up from Hwy 395), Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W), Saddlebag Rd., (south of junction of Hwy 395 to 7 miles west of Hwy 6 at Benton Crossing Rd.), Hwy 158 from 3.5 miles north of June Lake Village to the north junction of Hwy 395.

Campgrounds closed: Upper and Lower Deadman, Hartley Springs, Big Springs, Obsidian Flat, Glass Creek Big Bend, Aerie Crag, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge, Reversed Creek, Silver Lake, Ellery Lake, Lower Lee Vining, Junction, Moraine, Tioga Lake, Sawmill Walk-in, Saddlebag Lake, and Saddlebag Lake Group Camp, Aspen Grove, Lundy Canyon (county).

The Mono Basin Visitor Center is closed for the season.

Mammoth Ranger District

Roads open: Mammoth Creek, Mammoth Scenic Loop.

Closed: Hwy. 203 (continuing to the Reds Meadow Rd.) at Mammoth Mountain Inn, Lakes Basin Rd., Old Mammoth Rd. to Lakes Basin.

Campgrounds open: Mammoth Mtn. RV Park (private, year round).

Campgrounds closed: Crowley Lake (BLM), Convict Lake, New Shady Rest, Old Shady Rest, Sherwin Creek, Pine Glen Family/Group, Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake George, Pine City, Coldwater, Agnew Meadows Horse, Agnew Meadows Group, Agnew Meadows Family, Upper Soda Springs, Pumice Flat, Reds Meadow, Devils Postpile, Browns Owens River.

The Mammoth Welcome Center is open daily 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Closed holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day).

The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is closed for the season.

White Mountain Ranger District

Roads open: McGee Creek Rd. (snow covered), Rock Creek Rd. to the Sno Park, Buttermilk Rd., Hwy 168 to Aspendell, Silver Canyon Rd. (deep snow), Wyman Canyon Rd. (deep snow), Big Pine Canyon (Glacier Lodge) Rd.

Roads closed: Rock Creek Rd. at the Sno Park, North Lake Rd., South Lake Road at Bishop Creek Lodge, Hwy 168W at Aspendell, White Mt. Rd. at Hwy 168.

Campgrounds open: Goodale (BLM), Grandview (no water, no trash service, firewood is limited), Pleasant Valley Pit (BLM), Pleasant Valley (County).

Campground open (winter ops): Holiday, Bitterbrush.

Campground closed: McGee, Tuff, French Camp, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, Rock Creek Lake Group Campground, Rock Creek, East Fork, Pine Grove, Iris Meadow, Big Meadow, Aspen Group, Palisade Group, Horton Creek (BLM), Four Jeffrey, Forks, Big Trees, Bishop Park, Intake 2, Bishop Park Group, Willow, North Lake, Sabrina, Table Mountain Group, Mt. Glen, Cedar Flat Group, Big Pine Creek, Sage Flat, Clyde Glacier Group Camp, Palisade Glacier Group Camp.

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center is closed for the season.

The White Mountain Ranger Station Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed for lunch (noon- 1:00 pm). Closed holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day).

Mt Whitney Ranger District:

Roads open: Foothill Rd., Division Creek.

Roads closed: Onion Valley Rd., Whitney Portal Rd., Horseshoe Meadow Rd.

Campgrounds open:, Boulder Creek RV Resort, Diaz Lake (County), Independence Creek (County), Portagee Joe (County), Tuttle Creek (BLM).

Campgrounds open (winter ops): Lone Pine, Grays Meadow.

Campgrounds closed: Whitney Portal, Onion Valley, Cottonwood Lakes/Pass, Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian.

The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine is open daily from 8:30-430. Closed holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day).

The Inyo National Forest and Bishop BLM are not in Fire Restrictions for fire hazard.