Look, Don’t Touch

The nearest we can figure about what’s open or closed in the Eastern Sierra is that the USDA Forest Service, despite its declarations, seems to have a “look, don’t touch” approach to visiting Inyo National Forest.

Today, we received numerous reports and photos from color spotters who drove through Bishop Creek Canyon and along the June Lake Loop to view Near Peak to Patchy fall color, this past weekend. They reported that campgrounds, trails and parking lots are closed, with several barricaded. At least one spotter spoke to a USDA FS ranger who said the maximum fine for entering a closed area is $5,000.

The problem arises in that CA-168 and CA-158, as state highways, remain open to vehicular traffic even though signs on US 395 warn that Inyo National Forest is closed. The contradiction gives the impression that it’s OK to stop to see fall color along these highways, when it is not.

For example, the photo of Surveyor’s Meadow (above) was taken beside S. Lake Road where – according to the photographer – no restrictions were noticed, enforced or evident. Yet, the photographer took the photo inside Inyo NF and therefore could have been fined, even though he thought he was doing the correct thing by not entering one of the closed areas. He believed that only the barricaded areas were closed and that the highway was not part of the forest.

If the USDA FS is sincere about closing Inyo NF to hiking, camping, driving and fishing, as stated by them, then roads leading to prime fall color viewing areas should be clearly signed, informing motorists that stopping to look at fall color is not permitted.

• Surveyor’s Meadow, S. Fork, Bishop Creek Canyon (8,975′) – INYO NF CLOSED