New Campground Openings in Inyo for the weekend.
Sierra Rec Magazine ~ National Forest Access Updates – May 18, 2017 – The sun is out and the weekend ahead looks great in the Sierra, so here are the important facts on current openings for camping or exploring in the Inyo National Forest region. Updates include Lundy Canyon, Mammoth Lakes, Whitney and more.
The two newest openings to the list: McGee Creek Campground and Big Meadow Campground are open.
Mono Lake Ranger District
Roads open: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Bodie (Hwy 270), Lundy Canyon (to the resort), Panum Crater, Hwy 120 E (Benton), June Lake Loop (Hwy 158), Parker Lake Rd. Roads closed: Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W) at the winter gate closure, Saddlebag Lake Rd., Sonora Pass (Hwy 108). Campgrounds
Roads closed: Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W) at the winter gate closure, Saddlebag Lake Rd., Sonora Pass (Hwy 108). Campgrounds
Campgrounds open: Lundy Canyon (county), Lower Lee Vining, Aerie Crag, Gull Lake, June Lake, Oh Ridge, Reversed Creek, Silver Lake. Campgrounds closed: Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Moraine, Sawmill Walk-in, Saddlebag Lake, Saddlebag Trailhead Group Camp, Tioga Lake, Upper and Lower Deadman, Big Springs, Obsidian Flat Group, Ellery Lake, Hartley Springs, Glass Creek, Junction. The Mono Basin Visitor Center is open Thursday through Monday, 9:00 am -4:30 pm. Mammoth Ranger District Roads
Campgrounds closed: Aspen Grove, Big Bend, Moraine, Sawmill Walk-in, Saddlebag Lake, Saddlebag Trailhead Group Camp, Tioga Lake, Upper and Lower Deadman, Big Springs, Obsidian Flat Group, Ellery Lake, Hartley Springs, Glass Creek, Junction. The Mono Basin Visitor Center is open Thursday through Monday, 9:00 am -4:30 pm. Mammoth Ranger District Roads
The Mono Basin Visitor Center is open Thursday through Monday, 9:00 am -4:30 pm.
Mammoth Ranger District
Roads open: Convict Lake, Hot Creek Hatchery, Inyo Craters (under snow), Laurel Canyon (snow level 8,000 ft.), Mammoth Creek, Mammoth Scenic Loop. Roads closed: Lakes Basin, Old Mammoth Rd. to Lakes Basin, Reds Meadow Valley Road. Campgrounds
Campgrounds open: Crowley Lake (BLM), Convict Lake, Mammoth Mtn. RV Park (private, year round). Opening this weekend: New Shady Rest.
Campgrounds closed: Agnew Meadows (7/30), Agnew Meadows Group (7/30), Agnew Meadows Horse Campground (7/30), Brown’s Owens River (private), Coldwater (6/2), Devils Postpile (NPS), Lake George (6/2), Lake Mary (6/2), Minaret Falls (7/15), Old Shady Rest (6/2), Pine City (6/2), Pine Glen Family/Group (6/20), Pumice Flat (7/15), Pumice Flat Group (7/15), Reds Meadow (7/15), Sherwin Creek (5/27), Twin Lakes (6/1), Upper Soda Springs (7/15). The Mammoth Welcome Center is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
Devils Postpile Ranger Station is closed for the season. 05/18/17
White Mountain Ranger District
CARMA restoration area remains closed.
Roads open: McGee Creek Rd., Rock Creek Rd. to pack station, Buttermilk Rd. (storm damage), Hwy 168 to Lake Sabrina (limited parking at lake, expect snow), South Lake Rd. to Weir Pond (limited parking, icy conditions), Big Pine Canyon (Glacier Lodge) Rd, White Mt. Rd. (expect snow near Reed Flat), Silver Canyon Rd. (except difficult conditions), Wyman Canyon Rd (condition of road unknown, expect difficult or impassable conditions).
Roads closed: Rock Creek Rd. (after pack station), North Lake, South Lake Rd. at Weir Pond.
Campgrounds open: McGee Creek, Iris Meadow, Big Meadow, Tuff, French Camp, Bitterbrush, Bishop Park, Bishop Park Group, Big Trees, Forks, Intake 2, Grandview (no water, no trash service, firewood is limited), Horton Creek (BLM), Goodale (BLM), Pleasant Valley (County).
Campground closed: Holiday, Pine Grove, Mosquito Flat Backpacker, Rock Creek Lake, Pleasant Valley Pit (BLM), Cedar Grove Group Camp, Aspen Group Camp, Four Jeffrey, Mountain Glen, Willow, North Lake, Clyde Glacier Group Camp, Palisade Glacier Group Camp, Table Mountain Group, Sabrina, Big Pine Creek, Sage Flat, Upper Sage Flat.
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center is closed – Estimated to open May 26, weather permitting, Friday –Monday, 10:00 am -4:00 pm.
The White Mountain Ranger Station Visitor Center is open seven days a week, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Mt Whitney Ranger District:
Roads open: Foothill Rd., Division Creek Rd., Haiwee Canyon Rd., Mazourka Canyon Rd., Movie Rd., Sage Flat Rd., Onion Valley Rd. (icy conditions at times), Whitney Portal Rd.
Roads closed: Horseshoe Meadow Rd. (damaged, county estimates June opening).
Campgrounds open: Boulder Creek RV Resort, Diaz Lake (County), Upper and Lower Grays Meadow, Lone Pine Campground, Independence Creek (County), Kennedy Meadows, Portagee Joe (County), Tuttle Creek (BLM).
Campgrounds closed: Onion Valley, Whitney Portal, Whitney Portal Trailhead, Cottonwood Lakes/ Pass Trailhead, Horseshoe Meadow Equestrian. The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
As always its best to double check before heading out on the latest list of openings. Have a great weekend exploring.
