Fees: your input is needed!

Contacts: Nancy Upham (760) 873-2427
-- Reds Road Expected to Open June 5 --
-- Mandatory Shuttle to Start June 13 --

Bishop, CA (May 21, 2009)...The Reds Meadow Road, with access to the Devils Postpile National Monument, is expected to open to the public on Friday, June 5th. The Forest Service and the Park Service are working with the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and CALTRANS to get the road open and repairs made before opening to the public.

The first day of the mandatory shuttle service will be Saturday, June 13, and the shuttle will continue in operation through Wednesday, September 9. A change this year in the shuttle operation is that the shuttle route has expanded to start at The Village in Mammoth Lakes on a few of the morning runs; most shuttles will begin their route at the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. The shuttles will run from 7:15 am until 7:00 pm - visit the Inyo National Forest website for the most up-to-date schedule: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/

The change in route is a result of a new partnership between the Forest Service and Eastern Sierra Transit Authority, now known as Eastern Sierra Transit. In this partnership, Eastern Sierra Transit has assumed all elements of the operation of the Reds Meadow Shuttle. “The Forest Service is very excited to be working with Eastern Sierra Transit to operate the Reds Meadow Shuttle. We believe this partnership will bring many benefits to the Inyo National Forest and to our visitors. This is already the case with the change in route to begin in Mammoth Lakes, filling a four mile gap in transit service that has existed for years,” said Forest Supervisor Jim Upchurch.

The Forest Service and Eastern Sierra Transit have only signed a one year partnership agreement, but both hope that this is the first year in a long-term partnership. John Helm, Executive Director for Eastern Sierra Transit, echoed Upchurch’s positive sentiments stating, "The partnership with the Forest Service helps Eastern Sierra Transit work toward a goal of the Authority’s Short Range Transit Plan, that of creating a seamless transportation system for residents and visitors to the region."

As in past years, the shuttle service is still mandatory for all visitors to Reds Meadow, unless they meet one of the following exceptions:
Visitors who have a physical handicap (must show handicapped placard)
Visitors staying overnight in one of the developed campgrounds in Reds Valley
Visitors staying overnight at Reds Meadow Resort
Visitors in vehicles transporting livestock
Visitors in vehicles transporting a cartop boat for use in Reds Valley (canoe, kayak, etc.)
Administrative vehicles

Whether riding the shuttle or visiting the Valley in an exception vehicle, all visitors must pay a transportation fee during the season of shuttle operation: June 13 – September 9. The transportation fees are the same as last year:
$7/adult
$4/child
$14/adult 3 day pass
$8/child 3 day pass
$35/adult season pass
$20/child season pass



The new partnership with Eastern Sierra Transit brings a few additional changes to the Shuttle service. In addition to adding service to The Village,
Shuttle tickets will now be sold at Mammoth Mountain Ticket Booths at The Village and the Main Lodge Adventure Center.
On early morning trips, the ticket booths will not be open, so passengers should either purchase their tickets the day before, or have exact cash to pay the driver.
As in the past, dogs are allowed on shuttles, but new this year is a requirement that the dogs need to be wearing a muzzle.
For more information please contact the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center at 924-5500.

In order to provide improved recreation opportunities in Reds Meadow Valley, the Inyo National Forest is considering a change to visitor fees at Reds Meadow Valley in 2010 (the shuttle bus will remain mandatory for most visitors). The Forest Service welcomes your input and feedback about potential changes; however, the specifics of the proposal are not available at this time. Information about the change and how to comment will be available from staff at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, the Minaret Vista Station, and here on this website once the information is available. If you'd like to be notified when the information becomes available, contact Matt Peterson at 760-873-2494 or by email at mbpeterson@fs.fed.us. We want to hear from you!