Inyo National Forest

Recreational Activities - White Mountain Ranger District

November 13, 2009

Fall colors are at their peak, and in some places, past their peak in the major east side canyons. Early winter weather has arrived in the eastern Sierra.  While many area may still be open for camping and hiking a mantle of snow blankets the high peaks and passes.  Weather can change rapidly this time of year so visitors are cautioned to be aware of forecasts and come prepared for both warm days and snowy nights!  Most campground have closed for the season, pleaser check the campground listing for available campgrounds.

The road into the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is open to Schulman Grove but snow covered beyond that point.  The visitor information contact station at Schulman Grove is open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 PM until the end of October, weather and road conditions may affect the staffing of this station at any point.  

Campgrounds

Big Pine Area

Bishop Creek Area

Rock Creek Area

McGee Creek Area

White Mountains Area

Other Campgrounds - Owens Valley

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 national forest lands.  Dispersed camping is not allowed within an area of concentrated public use.  The areas of concentrated public use are defined on the Forest Recreation Map and often include developed recreation areas and campgrounds.  You should check with the Ranger Station in the area you plan to disperse camp to locate an appropriate area to camp.  A California Campfire Permit is required for the use of a cook stove or campfire outside of developed campgrounds.  These permits are free and available at Forest Service Visitor Centers. Please be extremely careful with stoves, fires, and cigarettes.

Roads

Fall weather and road conditions can change rapidly. Mountain passes are subject to immediate controls and/or closures.

Call 1-800-427-ROAD (1-800-427-7623), or visit the web at www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo for California highway conditions and construction schedules,   For Nevada roads, call 1-877-NVROADS (1-877-687-6237), or visit the website at www.nevadadot.com/traveler/roads.

Bristlecone Pine Forest - Open to the turn-off to Patriarch Grove, closed at that point.

Big Pine Canyon - Open

Bishop Creek Canyon - (Highway 168 west); Open

Cottonwood Road - Open

Horseshoe Meadow Road - Open

McGee Creek Road - Open

North Fork Bishop Creek -Open

Onion Valley - Open

North Lake Road -Open

Pine Creek Road - Open to trailhead.

Road to South Lake - Open

Rock Creek Road - Open to Mosquito Flat Trailhead

South Fork of Bishop Creek - Open

White Mountain Road - Open to the turn-off to Patriarch Grove, closed at that point.

Whitney Portal Road - Open

Call the White Mountain Ranger Station at (760) 873-2500 for updated conditions.

Trails & Backcountry Information

Hikers in the Eastern Sierra Wilderness Areas should anticipate encountering all types of weather. Spring storms can produce light to torrential rain, hail and occasionally snow. Flash floods are always a concern and campers should stay 100 feet or more away from streams, creeks, rivers and dry washes. Campfires are prohibited or restricted in many areas. Check with Forest Service employees when you get your wilderness permit to see if campfires are legal in your travel area. Hiker Warning: Never drink directly from wilderness water sources. Carry approved devices for filtering or treating water before drinking or boil water for an appropriate length of time to kill harmful bacteria and germs.

WILDERNESS PERMITS are required for any overnight stay in the wilderness. All trailheads in the 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 by calling 760-873-2483. There is a non-refundable fee of $5 per person to use the reservation service.

Sixty percent of trail quota spots may be reserved, and the remaining 40% are open on a "first-come-first-serve" basis after 11 AM on the day before entry into the wilderness. Bear canisters are required in many areas from May 25th - October 31st. For wilderness information or questions please call 760-873-2485.

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 and the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek must be obtained at the InterAgency Visitor Center in Lone Pine.

Visitor Centers & Ranger Stations

White Mountain Ranger Station
760-873-2500
760-873-2501 TDD
798 North Main Street
Bishop, CA 93514
Open Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm, closed for lunch 12:00 - 1:00

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center - Schulman Grove
The road to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is open to the turn-off to Patriarch Grove, closed at that point. Conditions change throughout the fall and visitors should prepare for any conditions. A Visitor Information Station at the Schulman Grove is now closed for the season.

Maps, Books and Guides

Please visit our ESIA bookstore for publications about the Eastern Sierra. We have a wide range of Eastern Sierra Maps, Books and Gifts and shipping is available. The Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) is a nonprofit organization which works in cooperation with the Inyo National Forest to promote and enhance the visitors' understanding and enjoyment of the natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources of the National Forests. Proceeds from bookstores at each of our locations and your donations support interpretive programs, printed materials and visitor center displays on the Inyo, Tahoe and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests. Donations are welcome! Donation boxes are located at all Visitor Centers and Ranger Stations or by mail to:

Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association
798 N Main St
Bishop, CA  95314