Inyo National Forest

Recreational Activities - Mount Whitney Ranger District

01/04/2010

Eastern Sierra InterAgency Visitor Center
Visitor Services/Wilderness Permits
Hours: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm/Daily
Junction Highway US 395 & SR136 (1 mile south Lone Pine)
Lone Pine, CA 93545
760-876-6200

General Conditions

Campgrounds

Lone Pine Area

Some Forest Service campgrounds are reservable through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777; family sites 240 days in advance and group sites 360 days in advance.

Road Conditions

Road conditions can change rapidly this time of year. Mountain roads are subject to immediate controls and/or closures.  Chains and/or snow tires may be required for all vehicles.

Roads over the following passes are CLOSED for winter: Tioga, Sonora, Ebbets and Monitor Passes (States Routes 120, 108, 4 and 89).

For California highway conditions call 1-800-427-ROAD (1-800-427-7623), or visit www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi.

For Nevada roads, call 1-877-NVROADS (1-877-687-6237) or visit the www.nevadadot.com/traveler/roads.

Local Road Conditions: Getting around on roads in the forest is different from driving on streets or highways. Most forest roads are narrow, steep and winding with safe travel speeds averaging 25 mph on paved roads. Safe travel on gravel and dirt roads can be slower. Use caution and be alert to rough road conditions. Drivers may encounter rocks, logs ice or snow on these roads.

* For more information contact the Inyo County Road Department, 1-760-878-0202.

Trail Conditions

**California Bighorn Sheep Zoological Area
Visitors entering or passing near California Bighorn Sheep Zoological Areas should be aware of restrictions created to protect these endangered animals; if you are accessing Baxter Pass, Sawmill, Shepherd Pass, Golden Trout, or George Creek/Mt. Williamson trails, these restrictions may affect your trip.  With Forest Order # 04-02-07, "possessing, transporting, or storing domestic goats" in established California Bighorn Sheep Zoological Areas is prohibited.  In addition, Forest Order # 04-81-03 prohibits possession, transportation, or allowing entrance of dogs in these areas.

Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Habitat
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Habitat may affect visitors traveling on or near, Taboose, Meysan Lake, Cottonwood Lakes and Tuttle Creek trails, per Forest Order No. 04-02-08, which states: "dogs must be under immediate verbal or physical control of their owners at all times."

Fishing
The general season for all streams, lakes and reservoirs in Inyo and Mono counties, except those listed by name in the Special Regulations, is from the last Saturday in April through November 15. Copies of California fishing regulations are available at the Visitor Center, many sporting good stores, or visit the web site http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/.

Hunting
Hunting is permitted throughout the Inyo National Forest during hunting seasons designated by the California State Department of Fish and Game. Hunters should keep in mind that many people use forest land for other types of sports; it’s much safer to avoid hunting near developed sites, roads and trails.  Hunting is prohibited in the National Parks. 

Hunting is not permitted in those areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited by County Ordinance, State law, or Federal regulations and hunters must follow all laws, including no hunting within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area. A California hunting license is required for any person taking birds or mammals.  Hunters must carry licenses and be prepared to show them on request.  Copies of California hunting regulations are available at the Visitor Center, many sporting good stores, or visit the web site http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regulations/.

Deer Hunting
Deer hunting begins with the archery season in mid August and continues through early September.  General Deer Season opens in early September and continues through October depending on the zone.

Upland Birds
Upland bird hunting begins with the archery season in mid August and continues through January depending on the bird species.  General Season opens in early September and continues through January depending on the species.

Waterfowl
Waterfowl Season for ducks (including Mergansers), common Moorhen, American Coot and geese generally open in the fall and continues through early winter.

Lone Pine and Independence Area Attractions
Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History
Lights!  Camera!  Action!  Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills have been a favorite location for Hollywood’s movies since the 1920s.  Visit the Museum of Lone Pine Film History, with exhibits celebrating the heroes, the films and the locations of the many movies shot in the area.  A special orientation film is available on request at the museum with classic Lone Pine movies playing on Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:00pm or on Saturday at 4:00pm.  The museum opens daily at 10:00am; closing at 6:00pm Monday through Wednesday, at 7:00pm Thursday through Saturday and at 4:00pm on Sunday.  The museum is located on HWY US 395 at the south end of Lone Pine.

Alabama Hills
Welcome to the Alabama Hills Special Recreation Area, managed by the Bishop BLM.  The amazing scenery – oddly rounded rocks backed by the jagged high peaks of the Sierra – creates a wonderful setting both for recreation and the film industry.  The hills are made of granite and weathering has created the unusual shapes, arches, and canyons particular to the area.  Hike, run, motor tour, horseback ride, bike any route not signed as closed, try rock climbing on one of the 200 sport routes, or explore some of the movie locations (pick up the Movie Road Self-Guided Tour at the Museum of Film History). 

Alabama Hills Arch Trail (1/4 mile one-way)
This geologic wonder is within easy distance of its Movie Road starting point.  Park in the dirt lot just after Movie Road forks (go to the right).  Follow the stone-lined trail through the desert vegetation and peculiar rock formations typical to the Alabama Hills.  Capture the dramatic vista of Mt. Whitney through both the arch and your camera lens.  Movie Flat Road is located 3 miles west of Lone Pine on the Whitney Portal road (turn at the only traffic light in "downtown" Lone Pine from US HWY 395).

Owens River and Owens Dry Lake
Owens Lake was formed from glacial melt during the last ice age. As a Great Basin Lake, it has had no outlet to the sea for almost 4000 years. The lake was fed by the freshwater Owens River, but without an outlet, the waters become saline in character.  During the early mining days of the 1870's, the thirty-foot deep lake was used to transport bullion and supplies for the mines at Cerro Gordo aboard two steamships, the "Bessie Brady" and the "Mollie Stevens." Today, the Owens River has had water restored, thanks to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s efforts to bring back the river’s natural ecology.  You can kayak and fish along the meandering 62 "river miles" portion of the lower Owens River!

Manzanar National Historic Site
Located 7 miles north of Lone Pine on Hwy 395, Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where Japanese American citizens and resident Japanese aliens were interned during World War II.  The historic high school auditorium now serves as the site’s interpretive center, featuring extensive exhibits and audio-visual programs. You can also tour the grounds and see many of the foundations and remnants of the elaborate gardens. Open 9am - 5:30pm daily April through October, 9am - 4:30pm November through March.

Eastern California Museum
The Eastern California Museum, in Independence, features exhibits that reflect the diverse natural and cultural heritage of Inyo County and the Owens Valley. Unique exhibit topics include the artistry of local Owens Valley Paiute and Shoshone Indians as demonstrated through basketry and other crafts, and the story of Manzanar, the Japanese American World War II Internment Center.  Included on the museum grounds are remnants of an abandoned landscape - a collection of historic agricultural and mining implements used by early Inyo County residents, and equipment used during construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct.  In addition to exhibits, the Eastern California Museum offers resources for research including an historic photograph collection, local history files, transcripts from the Community Oral History Program, and the Frank Parcher Memorial Library.  Located on the west side of town, turn on Onion Valley Road (at the only flashing traffic light in "downtown" Independence).  The museum is open daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm.