Press release from the United States Forest Service

Clearly, there are a lot of factors that could affect projected openings this year, so please be advised that these are estimates only.

The State of the Inyo

Mono Lake Ranger District

Roads open: Lundy Canyon (to the lowest gate, just beyond housing area), Panum Crater, Hwy 120 E (Benton), June Lake Loop (Hwy 158).

gullake

Quiet reflections at Gull Lake. Photo by Tom OKeefe.

Roads closed: Lundy Canyon (at the lowest gate, just beyond housing area), Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W) at the winter gate closure, Saddlebag Lake Rd., Sonora Pass (Hwy 108), Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Bodie (Hwy 270), Parker Lake Rd.

Campgrounds opening 4/26 (estimated): Aerie Crag, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge, Silver Lake (4/26).

Campgrounds closed: Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Moraine, Lower Lee Vining, Lundy Canyon (county), Sawmill Walk-in, Saddlebag Lake, Saddlebag Trailhead Group Camp, Tioga Lake, Reversed Creek (5/12), Upper and Lower Deadman, Big Springs, Obsidian Flat Group, Ellery Lake, Hartley Springs, Glass Creek, Junction.

The Mono Basin Visitor Center is open Thursday through Monday9:00 am -4:00 pm.

Mammoth Ranger District

Roads open: Convict Lake, Hot Creek Hatchery, Inyo Craters, Laurel Canyon (snow level 7,500 ft.), Mammoth Creek, Mammoth Scenic Loop.

Roads closed: Lakes Basin, Old Mammoth Rd. to Lakes Basin, Reds Meadow Valley Road.

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

Campgrounds closed: Agnew Meadows (7/30), Agnew Meadows Group (7/30), Agnew Meadows Horse Campground (7/30), Brown’s Owens River (private), Coldwater (6/2), Devils Postpile (NPS), Lake George (6/2), Lake Mary (6/2), Minaret Falls (7/15), New Shady Rest (5/5), Old Shady Rest (6/2), Pine City (6/2), Pine Glen Family/Group (6/20), Pumice Flat (7/15), Pumice Flat Group (7/15), Reds Meadow (7/15), Sherwin Creek (5/15), Twin Lakes (6/1), Upper Soda Springs (7/15), Crowley Lake (BLM), Convict Lake (5/5).

The Mammoth Welcome Center is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.

Devils Postpile Ranger Station is closed for the season.

White Mountain Ranger District

CARMA restoration area remains closed.

Roads open: Rock Creek Rd to the Sno Park GateButtermilk Rd. (storm damage), Hwy 168 to Aspendell, South Lake Rd. to the Bishop Creek Lodge, Big Pine Canyon (Glacier Lodge) Rd.

Roads closed: McGee Creek Rd (snow berm), Rock Creek Road (at the Sno Park Gate, plowing is 4 miles from lake, one lane), Hwy 168 at the Aspendell Gate (county has plowed one lane), North Lake, South Lake Rd. at the Bishop Creek Lodge (one lane plowed, avalanche concerns), White Mt. Rd. at the Sierra View gate, Silver Canyon Rd. at gate, Wyman Canyon Rd. at gate.

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

Campgrounds opening 4/27 (estimated): Holiday, Bitterbrush, Forks, Sage Flat, Upper Sage Flat.

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

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

The White Mountain Ranger Station Visitor Center is open MondayFriday9:00 am to 12:00 pm1:00 pm- 5:00 pm.  It will be open seven days a week, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm starting May 1.

Mt Whitney Ranger District:

Roads open: Foothill Rd., Division Creek Rd., Haiwee Canyon Rd., Mazourka Canyon Rd., Movie Rd., Sage Flat Rd.

Roads closed: Horseshoe Meadow Rd. (damaged, county estimates June/July opening), Onion Valley Rd (at Foothill Rd., county estimating 5/1 opening), Whitney Portal Rd., (at Hogback Rd, county estimating 4/28 opening).

Campgrounds open: Boulder Creek RV Resort, Diaz Lake (County), Upper and Lower Grays Meadow, Lone Pine Campground, Independence Creek (County), Portagee Joe (County), Tuttle Creek (BLM, no water or dump station).

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

The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, ranger desk is closed noon to 1:00 pm. It will be open 8:00 am to 5:00 pmstarting May 1.

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