Time to get campy

With camping season just around the corner the US Forest Service has been working to make needed repairs and replace worn infrastructure in several campgrounds on the Inyo National Forest and would like to provide the following updates to visitors starting to plan their camping trips.

Convict Lake Campground – All restroom buildings are being replaced and upgrades are being made to improve handicapped access. Work that began last November is scheduled to resume in April and should be completed by June 3. The campground will be closed during fishing opener, but Convict Lake, the Resort and surrounding day use areas are now open to the public and will be accessible during fishing opener. The campground is scheduled to reopen on Monday, June 4. If the project is completed ahead of schedule the campground will open before June 4. Updates will be posted on the Inyo National Forest website. Reservations for June 4 and beyond can now be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877.444.6777.

Sherwin Creek Campground – The sewer line that served the flush toilets in this campground has been decommissioned due to the aging infrastructure and costly replacement. The Forest Service is installing vault toilets and improving the availability of water throughout the campground. Work that began last November will resume in April and is scheduled to be completed in the beginning of June. It is possible that the work will be completed ahead of schedule and the campground will open before June 4. Updates will be posted on the Inyo National Forest website. Reservations are not currently being accepted for the campground. Upon the announcement of a campground opening date, reservations will be accepted at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877.444.6777. Updates will be posted on the Inyo National Forest website.

Mammoth Lakes Basin Campgrounds – A severe wind storm last Nov. 30, 2011 blew down thousands of trees in the Mammoth area, including the Mammoth Lakes Basin. With the mild weather in December and January, the Forest Service was able to remove fallen and hazard trees throughout the Lakes Basin recreation areas and campgrounds. As a result, minimal delays are expected in the opening of Lakes Basin campgrounds and day use recreation sites.

Reds Meadow Campgrounds – The Nov. 30, 2011 windstorm caused widespread damage in the Reds Meadow Valley. All campgrounds in the Valley received damage from fallen trees that will require repairs and infrastructure replacement and, as a result, there will be delays in campground openings for the summer of 2012. The Forest Service was able to begin damage assessments and clearing trees in January, but had to stop work upon the arrival of winter weather in late January. The Forest Service plans to resume work as soon as conditions allow and will open the Valley to vehicle access and reopen campgrounds as soon as is feasible and safe. Opening dates of campgrounds will be dependent upon weather and the conditions and circumstances that are encountered during cleanup efforts. Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile Campgrounds will be the first to open and will be first-come/first-served as normally operated. Reservations are not being accepted for the group campgrounds in Reds Meadow Valley until opening dates can be established. Please visit the Inyo National Forest website for updated information and scheduled opening dates.

Glass Creek, Hartley, Upper and Lower Deadman, Obsidian Group, and Big Springs Campgrounds – Last July the Forest Service closed Deadman, Hartley, and Obsidian Group Campgrounds as the result of a serious and unexpected budget shortfall.  This year the Inyo National Forest has adjusted budget reductions and has worked to ensure the public that these campgrounds will be open. The campgrounds will be open for public use as soon as weather and conditions allow. Please visit the Inyo National Forest website for the updates and scheduled openings.

Big Meadow, Iris Meadow, and Aspen Group Camp in the Rock Creek area  – All these campgrounds will have their restrooms replaced with new accesible flush toilet units.  They will remain closed until near Memorial Day weekend.  At that time all work should be completed and the campgrounds will open for the season.

On the north end of the Forest the minimal snowpack and mild weather conditions will likely allow the Forest Service to open several campgrounds and day use recreation sites in time for fishing opener. As April 28 nears, visit the Inyo National Forest website for projected opening dates at Old Shady, New Shady, Pine Glen, Oh! Ridge, June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Lower Lee Vining Campgrounds.

Campgrounds on the south end of the Forest scheduled to open for the start of fishing season, weather and snow permitting,  include French Camp, Tuff, McGee Creek, Bitterbrush, Big Trees, Forks, Intake II, Bishop Park, Four Jeffery, Sage Flat, Upper Sage Flat, and Whitney Portal.

Campgrounds currently open include Grandview, Lone Pine, and Lower and Upper Grays Meadow. Water is off in both Gray’s Meadow Campgrounds at this time, however the restrooms have been replaced with new accessible vault toilets and new fire rings and tables will be installed this year.

In spite of the campground repairs, wind damage, and some delayed openings, there are ample camping and recreation opportunities throughout the Inyo National Forest. The Forest Service encourages you to get the camping gear out of storage, get outside and enjoy your national forest!  If you have questions about camping or recreation opportunities, please either visit the Inyo National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/inyo, or call or stop by any of the Forest Service visitor centers.

Proposal to expand reservation system to all Mammoth campsite

The US Forest Service is considering a proposal from “Inyo Recreation,” the concessionaire that manages Forest Service campgrounds in the Mammoth area, that would increase the availability and quality of reservation services at these sites. Inyo Recreation, a business owned and operated by “California Land Management,” has proposed  that starting in the 2012 camping season, all campgrounds and 100% of all campsites under special use permit with Inyo Recreation on the Mammoth Ranger District would be available by reservation. Under the new proposal, campsite fees at all Inyo Recreation managed campgrounds that are part of the new reservation system would increase by $3 per night. The $9 internet and $10 telephone reservation fees currently assessed per reservation would be eliminated.

The campgrounds being considered in this proposal include Sherwin Creek, Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Coldwater Creek, Lake George, Pine City, New Shady, Old Shady, Pine Glen, Reds Meadow, Pumice Flat, Soda Springs, Minaret Falls, Pumice Flat Group, Agnew Meadows, Agnew Meadows Group, and Agnew Meadows Horse campgrounds. The Oh! Ridge campground in June Lake was managed under this system in 2011 on a trial basis and is proposed to continue to be managed under the new system. Pending the District Ranger’s decision on this proposal, implementation of the reservation system would be delayed in the Reds Meadow Valley until the summer of 2013 due to damage in the Valley campgrounds from the extreme wind event last November.

This proposal also includes plans for Inyo Recreation staff to assist the Forest Service at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center in providing campground information, helping visitors check campsite availability, and managing campground reservations.

The reservation system will access the same web-based reservation system used by “Recreation.gov” and would allow Inyo Recreation, Forest Service, and Welcome Center staff to manage and update campsite information in real-time.

Campsites not reserved in advance through “Recreation.gov” will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Hosts at the campgrounds and staff at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center will be able to use the reservation system to determine which sites are available, the number of nights each site is available, and provide other pertient information (such as the length and width of the site, handicapped accessibility, etc). The proposed system would allow staff to quickly be able to help campers arriving without a reservation to locate an available camp site that best meets the visitors’ interests and needs.

The proposed new reservation system will likely result in a reduction of vehicle traffic and improved pedestrian safety in the Mammoth area campgrounds. Visitors arriving without a reservation could potentially save time and money by eliminating the need to drive around looking for an available campsite that meets their needs.

The Forest Service is seeking public comments on this proposal that will help inform the District Ranger’s decision to either accept, modify or deny this proposal from Inyo Recreation. If you have concerns, have information that you feel the Forest Service may not be aware of, or have input that you would like to be considered, please take time to submit a comment by April 25. Comments and further questions regarding this proposal can be directed to Jon Kazmierski, District Recreation Officer for the Mammoth and Mono Lake Ranger Districts, at 760.924.5503 or jkazmierski@fs.fed.us, or by mail to: US Forest Service, Attn: Recreation Officer, Mammoth Ranger Station, PO Box 148, Mammoth Lakes, CA,  93546. –Press Release