[pct-l] Reds Meadow Road to open on Friday

[David Plotnikoff]

Hello from a longtime list-lurker.

The Inyo NF press release posted below references the final clearing 
of what has been termed a catastrophic blowdown event, dating back to 
November. The details are for access to Reds Meadow only. If you're 
relying on the pack station/resort for services (resupply/box 
forwarding/restaurant) you'd be wise to call them to see what shape 
they're in.

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Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Reds Meadow Valley Road is now 
scheduled to open to the public on Friday, June 29, providing public 
access to Devils Postpile National Monument, Rainbow Falls, Reds 
Meadow Resort and recreation sites, trailheads,  and campgrounds in 
the Reds Meadow Valley. All regular rules, fees and restrictions will 
be in place upon opening of the road, including mandatory use of the 
shuttle bus. Information on fees, the mandatory shuttle bus and 
exception vehicles can be obtained on the Inyo National Forest 
website, www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/inyo/specialplaces. The Forest 
Service plans to open the road to exception vehicles at 9 a.m. on 
Friday. The first bus into the Valley will leave the Mammoth 
Adventure Center at 8:45 a.m.

The US Forest Service, National Park Service and several partners 
have been working hard to remove fallen trees, hazards and debris and 
make repairs to infrastructure damaged in the November 30 wind event 
that toppled tens of thousands of trees in the Reds Meadow Valley, 
surrounding area and throughout the Inyo National Forest. Invaluable 
assistance has come from other partners such as the Pacific Crest 
Trail Association, Student Conservation Association, Youth 
Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps, American Conservation Experience, 
Friends of the Inyo and Backcountry Horsemen of California.

Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile Campgrounds will be open on a first 
come-first served basis at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 29. The Forest 
Service is planning to open Pumice Flat and portions of Minaret Falls 
Campground in subsequent days. Campsite availability will be tracked 
by staff at the Minaret Vista Ranger Station and campers will be 
informed of availability upon arrival at the Station, beginning at 11 
a.m. on Friday. Group campgrounds remain closed and reservations are 
not being accepted at this time.

Most of the area trails have been cleared and are open to the public, 
including access to the primary destinations of the Valley, Devils 
Postpile and Rainbow Falls. The Forest Service estimates that nearly 
2,000 trees have been cleared from trails in and around the Reds 
Meadow Valley. Maps that display information on the status of all 
area trails and identify remaining problem areas are available on the 
Inyo National Forest website at 
http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/Inyo/Blowdown.

The Forest Service is making every effort to clear recognizable and 
identifiable hazards from developed recreation sites (roads, 
non-wilderness trails, campgrounds, trailheads, etc.). Hazards 
continue to be present in the general forest areas and in a small 
number of developed recreation sites. Hazards have not been cleared 
in Agnew Meadows and Upper Soda Springs Campgrounds and these areas 
are closed to all public entry. Numerous and varied hazards exist in 
wilderness and other undeveloped forest areas. Visitors to these 
areas should understand the risks and know how to identify and avoid 
potential hazards.

Road work, repairs and removal of logs from the Valley will continue 
throughout the summer. Visitors may experience unexpected delays. 
Temporary road closures may be necessary and will be scheduled in an 
effort to minimally disrupt public use and enjoyment of the area.

For more information, please call the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center at 
760.924.5500 or visit the Welcome Center at 2510 Hwy 203 next to the 
Mammoth Ranger Station. -Press Release