Reds Meadow Road Remains Closed

Release Date: Jul 7, 2017

News Release

Engineers find segment of road that is unstable, needs repair.

Forest engineers, including a Geotechnical Specialist, completed an assessment of the storm-damaged Reds Meadow Road yesterday. This road, which accesses prized destinations such as Devils Postpile National Monument, Reds Meadow, and Rainbow Falls Trailhead, has received storm damage after the substantial snowpack from this winter and the subsequent melt-off and flooding. Engineers evaluated a series of longitudinal cracks along the edge of the road and determined that these areas were more stable than anticipated. However, crews have been and will be placing concrete barriers and K Rail along these areas to keep vehicles off these cracks to prevent further degradation.

Engineers determined that one area of the road has been structurally compromised and is unsafe for large vehicle traffic such as buses. In this area, a substantial crack was seen near the middle of the road. Crews will need to stabilize this segment of the road by placing layers of compacted fill, reconstructing the damaged culvert, and placing concrete curbing to further stabilize the road bed. This work will begin on Monday.

“We are reluctant to estimate an opening date at this time,” said the Mammoth and Mono Lake Deputy District Ranger Margie DeRose. “Until we are able to see the full nature of the problem when we remove the damaged portion of the road, we cannot be certain of the full extent of needed repairs.”

The Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile Road remain closed to vehicles. Bicyclists and pedestrians are permitted as long as they avoid areas of construction and wait until they are cleared to travel through construction areas. When repair of the road is underway, pedestrians, bicycles, and essential administrative traffic may be permitted through only during certain time windows so that this work can be completed as quickly as possible.



“We understand how special this valley is to our visitors, residents, and the local economy,” said Nora Gamino, Forest Engineer. “These repairs are necessary for safety, and to keep this narrow mountain road open for the upcoming years. Engineering is dedicating all of its resources to getting this road open as soon as safely possible.”



The Inyo National Forest, Devils Postpile National Monument and partners continue to conduct necessary repairs to open roads, which includes brushing, culvert and drainage clearance, repairing potholes, and plowing parking areas, as well as getting water and waste water systems operational along the road following a record-breaking year for winter snowpack at 200% of normal.