Inyo NF to Remain Closed
Inyo National Forest along with six other national forests, will remain closed through Oct. 8, the USDA Forest Service announced today.
The decision was “based on the continued hot and dry conditions that remain in the forecast for the upcoming week, continued active fires throughout the state and continued firefighting resource limitations.”
This means that fall color viewing is not permitted on federal lands and roads within the Inyo National Forest, from Conway Summit south to Kennedy Meadows. All Inyo NF lands, trails and roads are closed to the public.
The only locations that one can legally photograph or view fall color are: on private property, inside a vehicle on a state highway or county road or standing within the right of way of a state highway or county road within the national forest. However, that is not advised as wandering onto NF land could put you in jeopardy.
This means that until further notice, the following prime, Eastern Sierra, fall color viewing areas may not be visited, except when on private property, a state highway or county road or their right of way:
Mono County
- Lundy Canyon
- Lee Vining Canyon
- June Lake Loop
- Sagehen Summit
- Mammoth Lakes Basin
- Reds Meadow/Devil’s Postpile NM
- Laurel Canyon
- Convict Lake
- McGee Creek
- Rock Creek Canyon
- All backcountry trails and lakes
Inyo County
- Lower Rock Creek Rd.
- Pine Creek Canyon
- Bishop Creek Canyon
- Onion Valley
- Whitney Portal
- All backcountry trails and lakes
The USDA Forest Service may cite anyone photographing or viewing fall color in one of these closed areas. Fines of up to $5,000 may apply.
Closed National Forests are in Southern California and the southern Sierra Nevada. They include:
- Angeles NF
- Cleveland NF
- Los Padres NF
- San Bernardino NF
- Inyo NF
- Sequoia NF
- Sierra NF
Until this status changes, the California Fall Color Map will show only dark green “CLOSED” leaves for areas inside all closed national forests and parks.
