Reconstruction of Rock Creek Road between Crowley Lake and Rock Creek Pack Station Continues in 2015
Plan for Delays and Parking Restrictions in 2015.
Major reconstruction on the Rock Creek Road will continue in the summer of 2015. Work on this project began last year. Mono County today released plans for continuing the work this year and to provide recreational adventurists that enjoy this area of the Sierra Mountains to plan appropriately.
Mono County requested the funding and the work is being completed on Mono County roads. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has contracted and will oversee the project that will improve the road, widen it, and provide a bicycle lane along a nine-mile stretch between the Rock Creek Pack Station and Crowley Lake Drive.
The Rock Creek Road provides access to wilderness trailheads for the Little Lakes Valley, Mono Pass, and others. The area is noted for its exceptional scenery. Several campgrounds and resorts with cabins along the road are part of the recreational attraction as is fishing and horseback riding. The road itself is used by cyclists because of its challenge and its beauty.
Weather dependent, the work is anticipated to start the end of April. This year, re-building of bridges is planned. Additionally, the reconstruction will continue along the lower part of the project (from the Rock Creek Pack Station to the lower end of the construction near Tom’s Place). The project will be completed with the final paving along the length of the construction area.
While the road will remain open to traffic throughout the project, visitors may experience delays of up to 30 minutes. In addition, there will be one week when there will four-hour delays twice per day while they are working on the bridges. This is anticipated to occur sometime in May. Longer closures will be planned approximately three weeks in advance so that recreationalists can plan their visit.
Parking will be extremely limited within the construction zone, including trailhead parking areas for the Hilton Lake trailhead. Please carpool if possible. When roadside parking, ensure that your vehicle is entirely off pavement.
Construction will be suspended for Memorial Day weekend, the Independence Day holiday, and Labor Day weekend in order to minimize delays.
Little Lakes Valley
Part of the INYO National forest trail system -The easy access to this beautiful chain of lakes make Little Lakes Valley popular for fishing, day hikes and beginning backpackers. Glaciers carved this extensive chain of lakes, both large and small. Wildflowers bloom in the high elevation framed by the spectacular 13,000-foot peaks of Bear Creek Spire, Mt. Dade, Mt. Abbot and Mt. Mills. Some evidence of historical mining equipment can be seen, along with an old road bed at Morgan Pass. This is an active bear area so you must use bear containers to secure your food and refuse.
Directions:
From Bishop go north on Hwy 395 to Tom’s Place. Follow Rock Creek Road to Mosquito Flat, and the end of the road where there is paved hiker parking.
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