The State of the Inyo, current as of 09/15/21
Mono Lake Ranger District:
Roads open: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4), Sonora Pass (Hwy108), Bodie Rd. (Hwy 270), Lundy Lake Rd. Hwy 120 E (Benton), Hwy 158., Saddlebag Rd. Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W) at Yosemite National Park Boundary is open to vehicular traffic w/ day use reservation, proof of overnight accommodation in park, or for qualified pass-through traffic.
Campgrounds open: Lundy Canyon (county, fire restrictions), Tioga Lake, Junction, Ellery Lake, Big Bend, Saddlebag Lake Trailhead, Aspen, Lower Lee Vining, Hartley, Glass Creek, Aerie Crag, Silver Lake, Reversed Creek, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge.
Campgrounds closed: Saddlebag Lake, Sawmill Walk-in, Moraine, Obsidian Flat Group, Upper Deadman, Lower Deadman, Big Springs.
The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center is open Thursday through Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, virtual on Monday 8: 30 am to 4:30 pm, and will close for the season on October 2nd. ESIA will operate the bookstore Thursday-Monday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Mammoth Ranger District
Roads open:
Reds Meadow Rd., Lake Basin Rd., Mammoth Scenic Loop.
Campgrounds open: Brown’s Owens River (private), Crowley (BLM), Mammoth Mtn. RV Park, New Shady Rest (est. close 10/31), Pine Glen (est. close 9/26), Twin Lakes(est. close 10/17), Coldwater (est. close 9/26).
Campgrounds closed: Old Shady, Sherwin Creek, Pine City, Lake George, Lake Mary, Reds Meadow, Agnew Meadows Family, Agnew Meadows Horse, Agnew Meadows Group Pumice Flat, Pumice Flat Group Minaret Falls, Upper Soda.
Devils Postpile is re-opening on September 16th. The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is closed. The Reds Meadow Shuttle is not operating for the remainder of this season. Minaret Vista is staffed seven days a week and will manage traffic issues as needed.
Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center: Open to virtual services seven days a week, 8:30 am-4:30 pm. ESIA is operating the bookstore daily, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
White Mountain Ranger District
Roads open: McGee Creek Rd., Rock Creek Road, Buttermilk Rd., Hwy 168, North Lake Rd., South Lake Rd., White Mountain Rd. Silver Canyon Rd. (4×4-high clearance expect winter damage), Wyman Canyon Rd. (4×4-high clearance), Big Pine Canyon.
Campgrounds Open: Horton (BLM), Goodale (BLM, no water),Convict Lake, McGee Creek, Tuff, Rock Creek, Iris Meadow, Big Meadow, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, Pine Grove, Upper Pine Grove, East Fork, French Camp, Aspen Group, Palisade Group, Rock Creek Group, Pleasant Valley (County), Pleasant Valley Pit (BLM, no water), North Lake, Bitterbrush, Forks, Intake 2 (lower loop only), Bishop Park, Four Jeffrey, Willow, Sabrina, Grandview, Cedar Flat Group, Baker Creek (County), Upper Sage Flat, Big Pine Creek, Taboose Creek (County), Tinnemaha Creek (County).
Campgrounds closed: Holiday (summer closure) Big Trees, Mountain Glen, Sage Flat, Table Mountain Group, Bishop Park Group, Clyde Glacier Group, Palisade Glacier Group.
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center is open 10:00 am. to 5:00 pm. Thursday through Sunday. Closed Mon-Wed. Closed for the season October 31.
The White Mountain Public Lands Information Center in Bishop: Virtual service, 7 days a week, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed for lunch noon to 1:00 pm through Oct. 1. Beginning October 4th 5 days a week virtual service Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30 pm, closed for lunch noon to 1:00 pm Virtual services only. ESIA will continue to operate the bookstore Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Mt Whitney Ranger District
Roads open: Onion Valley, Whitney Portal Rd., Foothill Road, Division Creek, Horseshoe Meadow.
Campgrounds open: Upper and Lower Grays Meadow, Onion Valley, Independence Creek (county), Whitney Portal, Whitney Portal Trailhead Campground, Whitney Portal Group, Whitney Portal Trailhead, Tuttle Creek (BLM), Lone Pine, Portuguese Joe (county), Diaz Lake (County), Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood Pass, Horseshoe Meadows Equestrian. Kennedy Meadows with no services (no toilets, no water, no trash cans, no fee) .
The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine: Open Thursday through Monday, 8:30 am to 4:30 am. ESIA will operate the bookstore daily, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Wilderness permit reservations will be available for trips starting September 18th. Reservations that were previously reserved for trips starting on September 18th or later will be honored.
Visitors are encouraged to obtain their permits via email at sm.fs.wildpmt_inyo@usda.gov. In person pick up is still an option at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center and Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center with their hours of operation.
Fuelwood permits will be issued starting September 16th. Be aware of the firewood cutting restrictions in effect by calling 760-873-2555.
The Inyo National Forest and Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are in Stage II fire restrictions. That means no campfires, even in developed recreation sites. Visitors with a valid California Campfire permit may use a portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
Deb Schweizer
Public Affairs Specialist
Forest Service
Inyo National Forest
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514
www.fs.fed.us
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