Updated Inyo Forest closure FAQ,
There is still a lot to do in the Eastern Sierra despite forest closure including fishing, hiking and even camping
Much of the U.S. Forest Service public land in the Mammoth Lakes area and in much of Mono County is closed to recreation through at least Sept. 17 due to extreme fire danger.
But there are many exceptions, most notably for much of the land north of Conway Summit, called the Bridgeport Ranger District of the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, which is not covered by the closures.
Here is a list of frequently asked questions and what is open and what is closed in the Eastern Sierra, complied by the Times from the Inyo National Forest, Visit Mammoth, and the Mono County Tourism office. Be aware things can change and check or call ahead.
Where is the Inyo National Forest in Mono County?
Inyo National Forest land in Mono County stretches from the southern end of the County to roughly Lundy Lake and Conway Summit, just north of Lee Vining. Areas include Rock Creek, Mcgee Creek, Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass, Lee Vining, and Lundy Lake. See a map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/inyo/maps-pubs/?cid=fseprd5 31373&width=full.
Where is the Bridgeport Ranger District of the Humboldttoiyabe National Forest in Mono County?
The Bridgeport Ranger District begins at about Conway Summit and stretches north to Topaz and the Nevada State Line. Areas include Virginia Lakes, Green Creek, Twin Lakes (Bridgeport), Sonora Pass, Walker River canyon, Walker, Coleville, and Topaz.
See a map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/inyo/maps-p ubs/?cid=fseprd531373&width=full.
What’s OPEN in Mono County?
SR 120 Tioga Pass with access to Yosemite National Park (reservations required to enter the park, unless driving through with no stopping); Bodie State Historic Park; Mono Lake Old; Marina (South Tufa and Navy Beach access points are closed); Mono County parks
Shady Rest Park and Mammoth Lakes Disk Golf course - open per an exemption granted to the Town of Mammoth Lakes; Snowcreek and Sierra Star Golf Courses; Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center (bike park, gondola closed); all privately owned and operated businesses not on Inyo National Forest leased land; State and County roads; BLM lands and campgrounds are currently open with fire restrictions
LADWP lands are currently open, although there is a planned closure of the Owen River Gorge after Labor Day. Camping and fires are never permitted on LADWP land.
What is CLOSED in Mono County?
All Inyo National Forest land is closed through Sept. 17,
2021 at 11:59 p.m., which includes the following: campgrounds, trailheads and hiking trails, marinas, resorts, and cabins leased on USFS land, lakes and streams - no fishing, paddling, boating, etc., dispersed camping. This closure will be re-evlauatd on a rolling, two-week basis, forest officials said, but fire danger needs to subside significantly for the forests to reopen.
Forest Service roads - no off-roading, biking, etc.
Also closed is the Hoover Wilderness, Mono Lake South Tufa, Devils Postpile National Monument and Reds Meadow, June Mountain, Mammoth Lakes Basin and the Lakes Basin bike path, Hot Creek Geological Site, Earthquake Fault, Inyo Craters and the Hayden Cabin.
All dispersed or overnight camping outside of a designated concession-operated campgrounds located in the Humboldttoiyabe National Forest - Bridgeport Ranger District is closed/ prohibited. Campgrounds within the district are still open.
What fishing locations are OPEN? Crowley Lake (Only locations on LADWP Land); Upper Owens River (Only locations on LADWP Land); Virginia Lakes (Upper, Lower and Trumbull Lakes); Virginia Creek; Green Creek; Bridgeport Reservoir; Upper and Lower Twin Lakes – Bridgeport; Robinson Creek; Little Walker River; West Walker River; Topaz Lake
What hiking locations are open? (These are all open for day use only, there is NO overnight backpacking allowed on any forest land at this time): Leavitt Meadows Trailhead; Kirman Lake Trailhead; Emma Lake Trailhead; Burt Canyon Trailhead; Molybdenite Trailhead; Horse Creek Trailhead; Robinson Creek Trailhead; Cattle Creek Trailhead; Tamarack Lake (Bridgeport) Trailhead; Green Creek Trailhead; Virginia Lakes Trailhead; Buckeye Trailhead; Mill Canyon Trailhead. What campgrounds, resorts, etc., are open? Annette’s Mono Village; Walker/coleville KOA; Walker RV and Camping; Topaz Resort; Doc & Al’s Resort; Paradise Shores; Bridgeport Reservoir RV Park; Twin Lakes Resort; Virginia Creek Settlement; Willow Springs; Bootleg; Buckeye; Chris Flat and many, many more.
For a complete list, go to https://www.monocounty.org/planyour-trip/
What events are still scheduled?
The 10th Annual XLADV High Sierra; Geology and Volcanology Interpretive Hike; Mammoth Rock N’ Rye; FMF Western Night Barbeque & Concert; Eastern Sierra ATV/UTV Jamboree; Wrecks & Rods Car Show; Tioga Pass Run; Mammoth Oktoberfest; Bridgeport Main Street Walk-a-bout.
To see the full events calendar, go to https://www.monocounty.org/things-to-do/events/.
Can I travel to places like Mammoth Lakes or June Lake Loop, Aspendell, etc.? Can I bike on the roads such as Pine Creek, Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, Devil Postpile, etc.?
County and State roads and routes are open and not jurisdictionally affected by this order. Additionally, these towns are people’s homes and communities, and they need access to them.
However, Inyo and Mono County are closing roads that are exclusively accessing forest closure areas. For example, Devils Postpile Road after S.R. 203 ends at Minaret Vista is a forest road and is included in the closure.. What about Visitor Centers? All local USFS Visitor Centers remain open, with the exception in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center, which is closed. The Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association is operating the bookstores in all local visitor centers. The Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine: After Labor Day, open Thursday through Monday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ESIA will operate the bookstore daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The White Mountain Public Lands Information Center in Bishop: Virtual service, 7 days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed for lunch noon to 1 p.m. ESIA will continue to operate the bookstore Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center: Open to virtual services seven days a week, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., ESIA is operating the bookstore daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center: After Labor Day, the schedule will be Thursday through Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE
• For a constantly updated list, go to https://www.monocounty.org/plan-your-trip/
• For an events calendar go to https://www.monocounty.org/ things-to-do/events/.