Inyo National Forest Cautions Snowmobilers of Off-Limit Use

Based upon reports from rangers and visitors alike, the Inyo National Forest is reminding snowmobilers to respect off-limit areas of the forest that are closed to snowmobiles.

Forest Service rangers are patrolling closed areas for illegal snowmobile activity; focusing on locations where these incursions are problematic. These areas include designated Wilderness and Research Natural Areas, Mammoth Lakes Basin, Devils Postpile National Monument, McGee Mountain, Obsidian Dome cross-country ski trails, Shady Rest cross-country ski trails, and the area west of the G-trail from June Lake Junction south to the Glass Creek Hill. This past weekend, based on public reports, several Violation Notices were issued to individuals who illegally rode snowmobiles into the John Muir Wilderness.

Pick up your free copy of the Eastern Sierra Winter Recreation Map at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center (a waterproof version is available for purchase as well), obtain it online, or download to your mobile device using the Avenza map app (http://www.pdf-maps.com). These maps inform recreationists of motorized restricted areas.

The nation's federally designated Wilderness areas prohibit motorized use; making them off limits to snowmobiles. The closures are there to protect the Wilderness experience, but snowmobile tracks and public reports indicate that numerous riders venture into these closed areas each season. Riding in a Wilderness or a winter motorized closure is a Federal and State offense carrying fines up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail, in addition to possible seizure of the snowmobiles used in the commission of the crime.

It is the rider’s responsibility to know where these closed or restricted areas are located and their boundaries. Major winter trailheads and launching points have maps showing these restricted areas. If in doubt, check with the local Ranger Station or visitor center.

There are miles of groomed snow trails and play areas that are safe and legal to snowmobilers in the Mammoth and Mono Lake areas. There are approximately 75,000 acres of open expanse east of Hwy. 395 with a variety of terrain from wide-open meadows to forested areas for beginners and experts. Please refer to http://mammothweb.com/scripts/usfs/trailsreport.cfm for the latest grooming report.

The Inyo National Forest provides a wide spectrum of winter recreational activities. Visitors and residents can vastly improve these recreational opportunities, reduce conflict, and protect the forest resources by practicing common courtesy and respecting others’ experiences.

Makes me want to scream.

Though I haven't encountered an illegal snowmobiler... I have seen the following with my own eyes. Most more than once!

Illegal fire rings...

Drones in the parks...

Dogs on the trails...

Bicycles on the trails...

Motorcycles on the trails, parked in meadows... (actually saw this last year!!!! There was a "Now entering Yosemite Wilderness" sign right at trailhead... and tire tracks in the dust right there..)...

And though not illegal, very much NOT appropriate: rock piles.

WTF.

Sometimes I'm speechless. Sometimes I sputter. I used to love telling people to try visiting the mountains, enjoy them. But now...

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Though I haven't encountered an illegal snowmobiler...

I have, at Showers Lake (Meiss Country). It's not designated wilderness, but the area north of the ridge on the north side of Carson Pass is closed to snowmobiles.