To ensure public safety Inyo National Forest officials are temporarily closing the entry roads, trails, and facilities at the Inyo Craters site, located on the Mammoth Ranger District during the month of August.

A 100-foot buffer area along each side of Inyo Craters Trails, Inyo Craters Road (3S30) and Dry Creek Road (3S22) off Mammoth Scenic Loop Road will be closed in two phases:

• August 1 – 12: Inyo Craters Interpretive Area including associated facilities (vault toilets), parking area, trails (2705, 2705A), and roads (portion of 3S30, 3S30F, a portion of 3S30G, and 3S30L) will be closed.
• August 15 – 24: Inyo Craters Road (3S30) and Dry Creek Road (3S22) will be closed.

See the official Forest Order and maps here. 

The downed wood from this tree felling operation, consisting mostly of Jeffrey and Lodgepole pine, will be available to take once contractors have completed their work (valid wood collection permit required). Although tree removal will not be taking place on the weekends, visitors are not permitted to enter the area for their safety.

Mortality of trees in the area has increased significantly over the years due to tree-overcrowding and drought, further increasing susceptibility to beetle-kill and other diseases.

“Since 2018, many trees in the Inyo Craters area have died as a result of drought, competition, and bark beetles,” said Mammoth Lakes District Ranger Fred Wong. “As a result, there are a lot of standing hazardous trees near trails, roads and facilities which could fall on people and vehicles. The Forest Service will be cutting down hazardous trees to abate risk of injury or property damage.”

Since many other areas of the forest are experiencing tree mortality, it is important to always keep these safety tips in mind while in the forest:

• Don’t park or linger in an area with dead, standing trees.
• Avoid hiking in areas where there are dead trees during windy days.

Please visit our Hazard Trees webpage for additional safety tips.