Press releases

SEASONAL PASS OPENING STATUS

Bishop – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 9 continues to work on clearing snow, removing rocks, and repairing its eight highways with seasonal closures.

As work progresses, pedestrians, bicyclists, skiers, etc. are advised to stay out of these areas. Safety is our number one priority, for the public as well as Caltrans’ workers. This is the District 9 Seasonal Pass Status as of Thursday, April 27, 2017:

State Route 89 – Monitor Pass All snow has been removed from US Highway 395 to the Alpine County line. There is approximately 5 feet of snowpack at the Mono/Alpine County line. Highway repair is required before reopening. There is no estimated date for reopening the highway at this time.

State Route 108 – Sonora Pass Crews have removed snow to above 8500 feet of elevation and are approximately 5 miles from the county line. The snowpack is estimated to be 8 to 15 feet on the highway. There is no estimated date for reopening the highway at this time.

State Route 270 – Bodie Road All snow has been removed but the highway remains closed at the request of Bodie State Park personnel.

State Route 120 West – Tioga Pass (from the Junction of US 395 to the Yosemite National Park Gate) Crews have removed snow up to Warren Creek. The snowpack is estimated to be between 8 to 15 feet on the highway, with up to 50 foot snowdrifts in some locations. The avalanche danger is high and there is no estimated date for reopening the highway at this time.

State Route 120 East – Mono Mills Highway is open with no restrictions at this time. Travelers should be aware of wild horses in the area.

State Route 158 – June Lake Loop Highway is open with no restrictions at this time.

State Route 203 – From the Mammoth Mountain Parking Lot to Minaret Vista This section of highway is under permit of Mammoth Mountain Ski area for the winter ski season. There is no estimated date for reopening the highway at this time.

State Route 168 West – Above Aspendell Highway is open with no restrictions at this time.

All information is subject to change due to weather conditions. For the latest highway information please visit the Caltrans QuickMap site at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

For the safety of workers and other motorists, Be Work Zone Alert and Move Over where possible.

The State of the Inyo, current as of 4/27/17

Mono Lake Ranger District

Roads open: Lundy Canyon (to the resort), Panum Crater, Hwy 120 E (Benton), June Lake Loop (Hwy 158).

Roads closed: 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 open: Lundy Canyon (county- limited sites due to snow, first-come, first served), Aerie Crag, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge, Silver Lake.

Campgrounds closed: Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Moraine, Lower Lee Vining, 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 Monday, 9:00 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: Crowley Lake (BLM), 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), 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 Gate, Buttermilk Rd. (storm damage), Hwy 168 to Lake Sabrina (limited parking at lake, expect snow), South Lake Rd. to Parchers Resort (limited parking, icy conditions), 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), North Lake, South Lake Rd. at Parchers Lodge, 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), Horton Creek (BLM), Goodale (BLM), Pleasant Valley (County).

Campgrounds opening 4/27: Bitterbrush, Forks, Sage Flat, Upper Sage Flat, Holiday open (no water, no fee).

Campground closed: Pine Grove, Big Meadow, Iris Meadow, French Camp, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, McGee Creek, Tuff, Rock Creek Lake, 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 – not estimated opening date.

The White Mountain Ranger Station Visitor Center is open MondayFriday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1:00 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.

Opening 4/28 at 4:30 pm: Onion Valley Rd. (icy conditions at times), Whitney Portal Rd.

Roads closed: Horseshoe Meadow Rd. (damaged, county estimates June 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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