Press release
Here is the current State of the Inyo. The counties are beginning to plow, clear and sweep, and conduct routine maintenance on many of the mountain roads, but they remain closed at this time. They will also have to keep an eye on the incoming storm in this weekend’s forecast.
Hwy 120 E (Benton), Monitor Pass (89), and the June Lake Loop are open.
The Inyo National Forest has completed OSV and Nordic ski grooming for the season. The Mono Basin Visitor Center will be open 4/5/18.
The State of the Inyo
Mono Lake Ranger District
Roads open: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Hwy 120 E (Benton), Lundy Canyon (to the resort), June Lake Loop, Parker Lake Rd. (expect snow and very muddy conditions).
Roads closed: Bodie (Hwy 270), Sonora Pass (Hwy 108), Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W), Saddlebag Lake Rd.,
Campgrounds closed: Lundy Canyon (county), Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Ellery Lake, Tioga Lake, Junction, Sawmill Walk-in, Saddlebag Lake, Saddlebag Lake Group Camp, Aerie Crag, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge, Reversed Creek, Silver Lake, Big Springs, Hartley Springs, Glass Creek, Obsidian Flat, Upper and Lower Deadman.
The Mono Basin Visitor Center opens 4/5/18, Thursday – Monday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The visitor center will transition to seven day coverage on 5/1/18.
Mammoth Ranger District
Roads open: Inyo Craters (snow, mud), Mammoth Creek, Mammoth Scenic Loop, Laurel Canyon (snow levels at 8,500 ft.).
Roads closed: Reds Meadow, Lakes Basin Rd., Old Mammoth Rd. to Lakes Basin.
Campgrounds open: Mammoth Mtn. RV Park (private, year round).
Campgrounds closed: Brown’s Owens River, Crowley Lake (BLM), Convict Lake, Coldwater, Old Shady Rest, New Shady Rest, Sherwin Creek, Pine City, Lake George, Lake Mary, Twin Lakes, Agnew Horse, Agnew Group, Upper Soda, Pine Glen Family/Group, Pumice Flat, Pumice Flat Group, Devils Postpile (NPS), Minaret Falls, Reds Meadow.
The Mammoth Welcome Center is open daily 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Devils Postpile Ranger Station is closed for the season.
White Mountain Ranger District
CARMA restoration area closure. The main entrance gate on road 8S40 (east gate) to the restoration site is locked. The western entrance of 8S40 is open, allowing access to the roads 8S40B and 35E306. At road 35E306, road 8S40 is gated and closed to motorized vehicle travel. Respect the restoration efforts. Do not travel w/motorized vehicles beyond closed gates or park off of established roadways where vegetative seeding has occurred.
Roads closed: Rock Creek Rd. at the Sno Park, North Lake Rd., Hwy 168 at the Aspendell gate, South Lake Rd. at Bishop Creek Lodge.
Roads open: McGee Creek Rd., Rock Creek Rd. to the Sno Park, Buttermilk Rd. (storm damage), Hwy 168 to Aspendell, South Lake Rd. to Bishop Creek Lodge, Big Pine Canyon (Glacier Lodge) Rd., White Mt. Rd. is unmaintained for the winter, travel at own risk, expect impassable snow, Silver Canyon Rd., Wyman Canyon Rd. (expect snow and difficult conditions).
Campgrounds open: Holiday (winter ops), Bitterbrush (winter ops), Goodale (no water, BLM), Grandview (no water, no trash service, firewood is limited), Pleasant Valley Pit (BLM), Pleasant Valley (County).
Campground closed: McGee, Tuff, French Camp, Iris Meadow, Big Meadow, Pine Grove, East Fork, Rock Creek, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, Horton Creek (BLM), Aspen Group, Four Jeffrey, Willow, Bishop Park, Bishop Park Group, Big Trees, Forks, Intake 2, Mountain Glen, Table Mountain Group, Sabrina, North Lake, Big Pine Creek, Sage Flat, Upper Sage Flat, Clyde Glacier Group Camp, Palisade Glacier Group Camp, Cedar Flat 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, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, closed for lunch (noon- 1:00 pm), closed federal holidays.
Mt Whitney Ranger District:
Roads closed: Horseshoe Meadow Rd., Whitney Portal Rd., Onion Valley Rd.,
Roads open: Foothill Rd., Division Creek Rd., Haiwee Canyon Rd., Mazourka Canyon Rd., Movie Rd., Sage Flat Rd.
Campgrounds open: Boulder Creek RV Resort, Diaz Lake (County), Lone Pine Campground, Lower Grays Meadow, Independence Creek (County), Portagee Joe (County), Tuttle Creek (BLM, south loop closed).
Campgrounds closed: Onion Valley, Whitney Portal, Cottonwood Lakes/Pass, Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian, Kennedy Meadows.
The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The Inyo National Forest is NOT in Fire Restrictions for fire hazard.
The Inyo National Forest has completed OSV and Nordic ski grooming for the season.
