Reds Meadow Road to Open this Weekend
Inyo National Forest, Mammoth Ca, June 2016 – The Reds Meadow Road will open on Saturday, June 18th at 7:00 am. With a snow pack closer to average conditions, the seasonal opening date for 2016 is closer to an average opening date. In the past few years, the Reds Meadow Valley has opened at unusually early dates due to warm and dry conditions.
The Reds Meadow area is a popular recreation destination for visitors and locals alike and provides access to the Devils Postpile National Monument, trailheads that access the John Muir Trail and destinations such as Agnew Meadow, Thousand Island Lakes, Rainbow Falls, and the Minarets. Fishing, camping, horseback riding, and the Reds Meadow Resort are also popular with visitors.
Employees with the Inyo National Forest and Devils Postpile National Monument have been working to clear snow and trees from roads, trails, and campgrounds as well as repairing potholes, and ensuring that water and sewer systems are in working order. The high level of tree mortality that the Mammoth Lakes area is experiencing is complicating the road opening process as numerous hazard trees have been removed along the road corridor and in campgrounds.
The Devils Postpile National Monument opens with the road. Potable water and flush toilets will be available in Reds Meadow. Potable water may not be available in Devils Postpile, but is anticipated to be available in the near future.
The mandatory Reds Meadow Shuttle Bus, operated by the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority, will run daily starting on June 18th. Only exception vehicles will be allowed to drive into the Reds Meadow Valley.
The Fern/Beck Trailhead will remain closed while necessary maintenance and repairs are completed. Overnight hikers can use the Devils Postpile Trailhead instead and overnight parking permits will be available at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station for permit holders.
The roads in the Reds Meadow Valley are narrow and visibility is limited. All vehicles should use caution on both the Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile roads. For more information about Devils Postpile National Monument, visit nps.gov/depo, or contact Devils Postpile at 760-934-2289 or at depo_visitor_information@nps.gov.
More details on the Reds Meadow Shuttle Service:
WHO HAS TO RIDE THE BUS?
The easy answer here is almost everyone. The shuttle system reduces congestion on park and forest roads, protects sensitive resources from damage due to illegal parking, and reduces vehicle emissions. Visitors who ride the bus save an average of 437,799 miles of vehicle emissions. See below for exceptions to the shuttle bus.
2016 SHUTTLE BUS INFORMATION
The Reds Meadow Shuttle is expecting to start daily operations on Saturday, June 18th.
SHUTTLE BUS TICKETS
Shuttle bus tickets are $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for children over the age of 3, and children 2 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. Tickets are usually purchased the day of, but may be purchased in advanced in special circumstances. ContactEastern Sierra Transit Authority for more information.
SHUTTLE BUS PARKING
Parking for the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile Shuttle is near the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and along the roadside downhill from the Main Lodge and the Adventure Center. On busy weekends and on holidays, parking lots are crowded and visitors may have to walk along the roadway to get to the Adventure Center. Please be careful of traffic on the roadway. View a map of the Adventure Center and parking areas.
SHUTTLE BUS SCHEDULE
From the Village at Mammoth Lakes
The Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle bus service from the Village at Mammoth runs in tandem with the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park Shuttle. The bike park shuttle is free for hikers and backpackers and runs from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at least every 30 minutes. After 4:30, visitors can take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile buses back to the village.
Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile Shuttles will transport visitors from the Village at 7:15 a.m., 8:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. From 9-4:30, visitors should use the bike park shuttle.
From the base of the mountain (Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center)
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7:15am – 9:00am once an hour
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9:00am – 5:00pm every 20 minutes
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5:00pm – 7:00pm every 30 minutes
Source: National Parks Service and National Forest Service