Inyo National Forest

Recreational Activities - Mammoth Lakes Recreation Report

Public Advisory - Updated January 2009

The Lake Mary Road into the Lakes Basin is open to Tamarack Lodge at Twin Lakes. The remainder of the basin is closed to vehicle traffic.

1/5/09

Bear Activity Notice: Bears are searching for food before winter hits. Please secure all garbage cans throughout town! Bear canisters are now required on most wilderness trails for backpackers. It is HIGHLY recommended that you take bear canisters with you into the back country, even if it isn't a "Canister Required" area. Because of increased bear activity, there are new regulations in effect. You can help protect bears and keep them wild by eliminating food rewards at camping and picnic sites. For more information, please download this PDF.

Bodie State Historic Park: Road closed @ Hwy 395 (13 miles from site). Park open daily from 8:00am to 4:00pm. $3 per person. Road is clear. 760-647-6445, info@friendsofbodie.org.

Campgrounds: Campgrounds are all closed for the winter. Mammoth Mountain RV park remains open year-round.

Dispersed Camping: Dispersed primitive camping is tent or self-contained RV camping in undeveloped areas. Visitors may access camping points along any public dirt road within BLM or Forest Service property. Campsites must be 2 miles outside of any established campground, recreation area, wilderness area, or town limits. A valid California Campfire Permit is required for the use of a cook stove or campfire outside of established campgrounds. These permits are free and available at Forest Visitor Centers. Please be extremely careful with stoves, fires, and cigarettes. Be aware that we do have black bears in the Mammoth Lakes and Mono Basin areas, and that proper food storage is required. Please take measures to minimize food smells and visibility. The Forest Visitor Centers have various sizes of bear boxes rentals for campers. No camping is allowed in closed campgrounds including self-contained RVs.

Fishing: The fishing season closed November 15th and will reopen the last Saturday in April. Catch and release is still open at Hot Creek, Benton River crossing upstream to Big Springs, upper Owens River from Benton Crossing to Big Springs, Owens River from Laws Museum to Lone Pine, and Pleasant Valley Reservoir.

Gondola Scenic Rides: Open daily (wind and weather permitting) 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. http://www.mammothmountain.com/

Horseback Riding: All pack stations are closed for the winter.

Hot Creek Geological Site: Due to increased geologic activity, swimming is prohibited. Please come see the newly formed blue pools and boiling water this spring. Survey at http://lvo.wr.usgs.gov/

Hunting:Waterfowl, Quail & Chucker season remains open until January 25th, 2009. Make sure you follow all regulations!

Interpretive Programs: Join us for ski and snowshoe tours held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday(weather permitting). Tours are complimentary, lift tickets and trail passes required. Tours held at Mammoth Mountain, Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center and June Mountain. Additional information @ 760.924.5500.

Lake Basin: Twin Lakes is accessible via Lake Mary Road. Enjoy a hot or cold beverage in front of the fireplace at historic Tamarack Lodge.

Library: Open 10-7 M-F, 9-5:30 SAT, closed Sunday.

Lodging: For lodging information please call 1-888-466-2666 Monday thru Friday, or log onto http://www.visitmammoth.com/ and click on "LODGING" on the left side of the web page.

Mammoth Winter Recreation Trails Grooming Report: Trails Report Web Site

Marinas: All marinas are currently closed for the season.

Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area: The Mono Basin Visitor Center is closed until approximately April 2, 2009.

Mountain Biking: The Mountain Bike Park is closed for the season.

Museums: The Mammoth Ski museum is open from 10-5 Wednesday through Sunday and 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Saturday.  The Mammoth Museum (Hayden Cabin) is CLOSED for the winter.

Interagency Passes: You may pickup or purchase the Interagency passes at any of the Visitor Centers in the Inyo National Forest.  To find out information about the  benefits, pass use, and availability. Click Here.

Roads: Many of the backcountry roads are closed for winter. See list below.

Showers: See list below.

Shuttlebuses: The Red Line is in FULL operation from Snowcreek to Main Lodge. The Red Trolleys operate from 5:45 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Reds Meadow shuttle and Devils Postpile are closed for the winter.

Skiing and Snowboarding: Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain are open. Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center, Canyon Lodge and Little Eagle are open.

Call 800-MAMMOTH or visit http://www.mammothmountain.com/ for more information.

Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile: Closed for the winter.

RV Dump Stations: See List Below.

Sled Dogs: Mammoth Dog Teams are open for sled dog tours at Smokey Bear Flats.

Contact: 760-934-6270.

Trails: See list below.

Wilderness Permits: No quotas at this time. Please self-register at any visitor center.

All trailheads in the Ansel Adams, John Muir, and Dinky Lakes Wilderness areas have entry quotas that are in effect from May 1st to November 1st. Reservations may be made up to six months in advance of your entry date. There is a fee of $5 per person for reservations. You may download a reservation application and then mail or fax it to the Wilderness Permit Office. Phone reservations can be made 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 760-873-2483. Sixty percent of trail quota spots are reserve-able, and the remaining 40% are open on a "first-come-first-serve" basis after 11 AM on the day before entry into the wilderness.

For wilderness information or questions please call 760-873-2485. For the 2007 Mt. Whitney Lottery, fax applications will not be accepted. Check for full details before you apply. There is also a trail quota for exiting the Mt. Whitney Trail.

For trips that originate in a national park, you must obtain a permit from the appropriate national park office. Wilderness permits for trips beginning in the Inyo National Forest may be obtained at Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, White Mountain Ranger Station, or the InterAgency Visitor Center. During the non-quota period from November 2nd to April 30th self-issue permits are also available after hours at these locations. Wilderness permits for entering the Mt. Whitney Trail must be obtained at the InterAgency Visitor Center in Lone Pine.

Wood Burning: Air quality may change daily. Call 760-934-1010 for current restrictions. For more information call 934-7669.

Wood Cutting: Closed for the season. Will begin next spring - date to be announced.

Campgrounds

Mammoth Lakes Area
760-924-5500

*Reservations can be made 360 days in advance at 1-877-444-6777, or on the Web at www.recreation.gov.

RV Dump Stations

Roads

For local road conditions please call: 760-934-7669.

Major highways, including mountain passes: 1-800-427-7623 (1-800-427-ROAD). Yosemite National Park , 24-hour road and weather line: 1-209-372-0200

Route Designation maps are available at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center.

Showers for Campers

Trails