News releases

Mammoth Lakes, CA – The Town of Mammoth Lakes has been notified by the Mammoth Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest that the Lakes Basin Road is closing for the season this Friday, November 3, 2017 at 3:00pm.

lakes basin

This winter closure is in advance of the first significant winter storm forecast for this weekend.

In addition, Old Mammoth Road to the Lakes Basin will also close on Friday, November 3, 2017 at 3:00pm. USFS personnel will re-evaluate the Old Mammoth Road closure after the storm.

Reds Meadow Road to Rainbow Falls and Devils Postpile closed for the winter season on October 19, 2017.

Yosemite National Park is scheduled to close the Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road to all vehicular traffic at 5:00pm on Thursday, November 2, 2017 due to incoming winter storms. This closure will remain in effect through the weekend and road conditions will be assessed on Monday, November 6, 2017.

Tioga Road typically closes each fall and remains closed throughout the winter months. The road reopens when weather and road conditions permit in the spring. Yosemite National Park is open year-round with snow removal on all other roads within the park.

All roads within the park are subject to chain control or temporary closures due to hazardous driving conditions. All motorists are required to carry tire chains, even if their car is equipped with four-wheel drive, while driving in the park during the winter months.

Caltrans is also scheduled to close State Route 108 (Sonora Pass) from Kennedy Meadows to the East side winter closure gate (West of Pickel Meadows) on November 2, 2017 at 12:00am (midnight). State Route 89 (Monitor Pass) will be open, however, if conditions necessitate, will close for the public’s safety.

For the latest highway information please call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800- 427-ROAD (7623) and for road conditions in Yosemite National Park call 209-372- 0200.

 

The State of the Inyo, current as of 11/1/17

Mono Lake Ranger District

Roads open: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Sonora Pass (Hwy 108), Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W), Saddlebag Lake Rd., Bodie (Hwy 270), Lundy Canyon, Panum Crater, Hwy 120 E (Benton), June Lake Loop (Hwy 158), Parker Lake Rd.

Road closing: Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W) is closing at 5:00 pm on Thursday, November 2, due to incoming winter storms. This closure will remain in effect through the weekend and road conditions will be assessed on Monday, November 6.

Campgrounds open: Lundy Canyon (county, est. closing 11/15, weather may close it sooner), Silver Lake (est. closing 11/5).

Campgrounds closed: 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, Big Springs, Hartley Springs, Glass Creek, Obsidian Flat, Upper and Lower Deadman.

The Mono Basin Visitor Center is open 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, ThursdayMonday. Estimated closing is 12/1.

Mammoth Ranger District

Roads open: Convict Lake, Hot Creek Hatchery, Inyo Craters, Mammoth Creek, Mammoth Scenic Loop, Laurel Canyon.

Roads closed: Reds Meadow.

Roads closing: The Lakes Basin Rd. is closing for the season on Friday, November 3 at 3 pm. This is in the advance of the significant storm in the forecast.

The Old Mammoth Rd. to the Lakes Basin will close on Friday, November 3 at 3:00 pm and managers will re-evaluate the closure after the storm.

Campgrounds open: Mammoth Mtn. RV Park (private, year round), New Shady Rest (est. closing 11/5).

Campgrounds closed: Brown’s Owens River, Crowley Lake (BLM), Convict Lake, Coldwater, Old 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 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Starting 11/27/17, it will 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 being made and not travel w/motorized vehicles beyond closed gates or park off of established roadways where vegetative seeding has occurred.

Roads open:  McGee Creek Rd., Rock Creek Rd., Buttermilk Rd. (storm damage), North Lake Rd., Hwy 168 to Lake Sabrina, South Lake Rd., Big Pine Canyon (Glacier Lodge) Rd., White Mt. Rd to the Barcroft Gate Silver Canyon Rd., Wyman Canyon Rd. (expect 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 MondayFriday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed for lunch (noon- 1:00 pm), closed federal holidays.

Mt Whitney Ranger District:

Roads open: Foothill Rd., Division Creek Rd., Haiwee Canyon Rd., Mazourka Canyon Rd., Movie Rd., Sage Flat Rd., Whitney Portal Rd, Horseshoe Meadow Rd., Onion Valley Rd.

Campgrounds open: Boulder Creek RV Resort, Diaz Lake (County), Lone Pine Campground (winter ops), Lower Grays (winter ops), Independence Creek (County), Kennedy Meadows, Portagee Joe (County), Tuttle Creek (BLM, south loop closes 10/31).

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

The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

The Inyo National Forest is NOT in Fire Restrictions for fire hazard.

 

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