Two new openings to report: McGee Creek Campground and Big Meadow Campground are open.
Press release from US Forest Service
A big thank you to Caltrans District 9, Inyo County and Mono County Roads Departments, and our engineering staff for the work to get roads and facilities open this year. There is some impressive work being completed out there.
A few updates: The Bodie Rd. is open, Lower Lee Vining Campground and Iris Campgrounds are open. Efforts to open the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center will begin next week with a target of opening for the Memorial Day Weekend, weather permitting.
New Shady should open this weekend and Sherwin Creek next weekend. Hazard trees and water systems continue to be an issue for campground openings. Oh, and it keeps snowing.
Thanks for all the updates.
The State of the Inyo, current as of 5/17/17
Mono Lake Ranger District
Roads open: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Bodie (Hwy 270), Lundy Canyon (to the resort), Panum Crater, Hwy 120 E (Benton), June Lake Loop (Hwy 158), Parker Lake Rd.
Roads closed: Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W) at the winter gate closure, Saddlebag Lake Rd., Sonora Pass (Hwy 108).
Campgrounds open: Lundy Canyon (county), Lower Lee Vining, Aerie Crag, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge, Reversed Creek, Silver Lake.
Campgrounds closed: Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Moraine, Sawmill Walk-in, Saddlebag Lake, Saddlebag Trailhead Group Camp, Tioga Lake, 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 -4:30 pm.
Mammoth Ranger District
Roads open: Convict Lake, Hot Creek Hatchery, Inyo Craters (under snow), Laurel Canyon (snow level 8,000 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), Convict Lake, Mammoth Mtn. RV Park (private, year round).
Opening this weekend: New Shady Rest.
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), 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 (5/27), Twin Lakes (6/1), Upper Soda Springs (7/15).
The Mammoth Welcome Center is open 8:00 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: McGee Creek Rd., Rock Creek Rd. to pack station, Buttermilk Rd. (storm damage), Hwy 168 to Lake Sabrina (limited parking at lake, expect snow), South Lake Rd. to Weir Pond (limited parking, icy conditions), Big Pine Canyon (Glacier Lodge) Rd, White Mt. Rd. (expect snow near Reed Flat), Silver Canyon Rd. (except difficult conditions), Wyman Canyon Rd (condition of road unknown, expect difficult or impassable conditions).
Roads closed: Rock Creek Rd. (after pack station), North Lake, South Lake Rd. at Weir Pond.
Campgrounds open: Grandview (no water, no trash service, firewood is limited, under snow), Iris Meadow, Tuff, French Camp, Bitterbrush, Bishop Park, Bishop Park Group, Big Trees, Forks, Intake 2, Horton Creek (BLM), Goodale (BLM), Pleasant Valley (County).
Campground closed: Holiday, Pine Grove, Big Meadow, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, McGee Creek, Rock Creek Lake, Pleasant Valley Pit (BLM), Cedar Grove Group Camp, Aspen Group Camp, Four Jeffrey, Mountain Glen, Willow, North Lake, Clyde Glacier Group Camp, Palisade Glacier Group Camp, Table Mountain Group, Sabrina, Big Pine Creek, Sage Flat, Upper Sage Flat.
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center is closed – Estimated to openMay 26, weather permitting, Friday –Monday, 10:00 am -4:00 pm.
The White Mountain Ranger Station Visitor Center is open seven days a week, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Mt Whitney Ranger District:
Roads open: Foothill Rd., Division Creek Rd., Haiwee Canyon Rd., Mazourka Canyon Rd., Movie Rd., Sage Flat Rd., 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), Kennedy Meadows, Portagee Joe (County), Tuttle Creek (BLM).
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 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
