Release Date: Nov 3, 2011 Bishop, CA
Contact(s): Susan Joyce
The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping, snow is in the forecast, and recreation opportunities on the Inyo National Forest are changing as fall moves into winter. The Inyo National Forest has been maintaining recreation facilities throughout the fall in an effort to provide late-season access and allow the public to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather. As temperatures and visitation drop, the Forest Service has begun winterizing many of the area recreation facilities in an effort to protect infrastructure and maintain public safety.
Most campgrounds throughout the forest have closed for the season. Most day use recreation sites with flush toilets have been closed to prevent damage. Reds Meadow and Saddlebag Roads are closed for the season.
The following is a list of recreation facilities that remain open to date and how each may be affected by changing weather conditions:
Mount Whitney Ranger District
- Lone Pine Campground – Upper Loop remains open throughout the winter. Campsites and restrooms are open. No water or trash service available; pack it in – pack it out.
- Whitney Portal and Horseshoe Meadow Backpacker Campsites – Open until winter conditions close access roads. Campsites and restrooms are open. No water or trash service available; pack it in – pack it out.
- Onion Valley, Whitney Portal, and Horseshoe Meadow Roads – Open until first significant snowfall of the season. The roads are not plowed after November 1st.
- Bitterbrush Campground – Campsites and restrooms are open year-round. No water or trash service available; pack it in – pack it out.
- Grandview Campground – Open until winter conditions force closure of White Mountain Road. Campsites and restrooms are open. No water or trash service available; pack it in – pack it out. Maintenance donation suggested.
- Holiday Campground (entrance to Rock Creek) - Open all winter but the snow is not plowed in the campground in winter. Campsites and restrooms are open. No water or trash service available; pack it in – pack it out. No fee.
- White Mountain, Wyman, Silver Canyon, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, and McGee Creek Roads – Open until winter conditions force closure.
- New Shady Rest Campground – Remains open until temperatures force closure of water system. Campsites, water, restrooms, and trash service available.
- Convict Lake – Restroom at outlet will remain open as temperatures allow. Road is plowed to the lake throughout the winter. Convict Lake Resort offers year-round recreation opportunities.
- Mammoth Lakes Basin – Roads in the Lakes Basin will remain open until snow falls and sticks, after which the lower gate will be closed and Tamarack Resort will begin preparations for their cross-country ski operations. Vault toilets remain open at Lake George, Twin Falls Overlook, and Lake Mamie. Dumpsters remain open and trash service is available at Coldwater Creek, Horseshoe, and Lake George.
- Hot Creek – Open year-round. The road to the geologic interpretive site is closed to wheeled vehicles after the first significant snowfall and remains closed until the road is dry. Swimming in the area near hot springs is prohibited year-round.
- Inyo Craters – Craters and restroom are open year-round. Road is closed to wheeled vehicles when snow grooming operations commence.
- Minaret Vista – Road to the vista remains open until first significant snowfall accumulation. Restroom open until road closes.
- Earthquake Fault - Road sign removed for the winter, but site and restroom remains open until first significant snowfall accumulation.
- Silver Lake Campground - Open until temperatures force closure of water system. Campsites, water, restrooms, and trash service available.
- Lower Lee Vining Campground – Open until first significant snowfall accumulation.
- June Lake Beach – Site remains open, trash service available. Restrooms are closed for the winter.
- South Tufa – Open year-round. Restrooms and trash service available year round. Road and limited parking is plowed when snow depths are minimal.
- Tioga Pass – Open until winter conditions force road closure. Restrooms remain open at Tioga Lake.
- Lundy Canyon – Open until winter conditions force road closure.
The Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center/Mt Whitney Ranger Station in Lone Pine and the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center are open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Reduced days and hours of operation are in effect for Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center and White Mountain Ranger Station.
For a complete list of operations and up to date visitor information, please visit the Inyo National Forest web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo or call:
- Mt Whitney Ranger Station: 760-876-6200
- Bishop, White Mtn. Ranger Station: 760-873-2500
- Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center: 760-924-5500
- Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center: 760-647-3044
