Reds Meadow Road Construction

[maverick]

Inyo NF:

We know you're wondering about Reds Meadow Road and how you'll be able to make 2024 plans or not. We cannot say at this point what the construction schedule will be until January, but weekends are indeed likely to remain open for public use after the winter closure ends (dependent on weather).

Pro tip bookmark this page: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/alerts-notices/.... This is where we will be posting the latest public information on the project and what is the deal on construction schedules, delays, etc.
For now, please take note of the following:

Major disruptions and extended road closures are anticipated.

2024 Wilderness permit reservations will remain CLOSED for all trailheads accessed from Agnew Meadows, Devils Postpile National Monument, and the Rainbow Falls parking lot via Reds Meadow Road/Minaret Summit Road, pending a determination of the construction schedule by the Federal Highways Administration.
This includes: Beck Lake, Fern Lake, Fish Creek, High Trail, John Muir Trail, Minaret Lake, River Trail and Shadow Creek.

More information will be posted on the above webpage in early January as it becomes available.

Thank you for your patience as we work diligently with our project partners at the Federal Highway Administration and Town of Mammoth Lakes to get this project completed as soon as possible.

[maverick]

Inyo NF:

Currently, Red’s Meadow Road is closed to wheeled vehicles for the regular winter season with an anticipated seasonal opening date of June 7, 2024, depending on weather. There will be no construction delays while the road is open, however the mandatory Eastern Sierra Transit Shuttle Bus is still required to access Reds Meadow.

Projected schedule from June 7 – September 15, 2024:

Reds Meadow Road will be OPEN Friday mornings at 9:00 AM until Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM with the last ESTA Shuttle Bus.
(Exception: opening day of June 7, the road will open at 12:00 PM).

Reds Meadow Road will be CLOSED 24 hours per day for construction work Sunday at 11:00 PM through Friday morning at 9:00 AM.

Holiday weekends:
- Independence Day Weekend:
OPEN Wednesday July 3 at 12:00 PM - Sunday July 7 at 7:00 PM.
- Labor Day Weekend:
OPEN Friday August 30 at 9:00 AM - Monday September 2 at 7:00 PM

Campgrounds:
- All Forest Service and National Park Service campgrounds will remain closed in Reds Meadow Valley in 2024.
- Devils Postpile National Monument will continue to provide interpretive and educational programs on days when Reds Meadow Road is open to the public. More information at www.nps.gov/depo

Wilderness permits:
- Entry/exit will only be permitted Friday through Sunday for the following trailheads:
Beck Lake, Fern Lake, Fish Creek, High Trail, John Muir Trail North of Devils Postpile, John Muir Trail South of Devils Postpile, Minaret Lake, River Trail and Shadow Creek.
- Entry/exit will not permitted Monday through Thursday.
- Leaving your personal vehicle:
You are permitted to leave your vehicle overnight at a trailhead parking lot if you obtain a wilderness entry/exit on open days (Friday – Sunday).
For example, you may enter on a Sunday and exit on a Friday.
- No matter what trailhead you are entering from (including any National Park Service lands), remember that your vehicle will not be allowed to leave Monday – Friday morning.
- Please print a copy of your permit and leave on the dashboard of your vehicle.

For information about visiting Reds Meadow Resort and Pack Station, please check their website: www.redsmeadow.com
For more information visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/.../reds-meadow- ... nstruction
Questions?
- Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center: (760) 924-5500
- INF Wilderness Permit Office: (760) 873-2483
- Or feel free to just DM us here on Facebook

[Iriscaddis]

Thanks @maverick. I heard about Red's Meadow for summer '24. Now my plans have to change (again). Kind of irritating that it will be closed M-F morning. And what about the poor folks who run Red's Meadow crew, stables and store and all the through-hikers.

[maverick]

Inyo NF:

Embankment stabilization and reconstruction, including the installation of soil nail walls along Reds Meadow Road is progressing well.

As construction at Reds Meadow Road is still ongoing, we want to remind visitors that the weekday closure applies to ALL, including those on foot such as backpackers.

It must not be underestimated how dangerous it is to be walking the road while it's under construction. Remember, there is an official closure order in effect: https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../FSE_DOCUMEN ... 178491.pdf

The roadside even formed a sink hole during the last storm event, which was mitigated by the contractor. This will continue to be an issue during storm events that can happen when the road is open to the public. If this does happen, be prepared for very long delays or evacuations of the valley until necessary repairs can be made.

Should you have to get out of Reds Meadow area due to some unforeseen or unplanned event, there are alternative trails to take out. These include the "Starkweather Trail" and "Red Cones/Mammoth Pass" trails. See map below for the mileage breakdowns so you can plan for this additional mileage in advance of your trip.

Our Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction page is up to date and contains all needed information regarding the road closure and public access: http://www.fs.usda.gov/.../inyo/learning/safety-ethics/...

Reds Meadow Campground and Eastern Sierra Transit ESTA shuttle busses are still scheduled to close/end on September 8.

[maverick]

Inyo NF:

Inyo National Forest, Devils Postpile National Monument, and partner agencies managing the Reds Meadow Road Reconstruction Project continue to work on the Reds Meadow Road reconstruction project, gearing towards the fall season and a new schedule.

The new schedule starting on September 16 through winter closure and in accordance with the Forest Order (https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../FSE_DOCUMEN ... 204663.pdf) put in place is as follows:
• Monday – Friday: closed
• Saturday: opens at 7:00am and stays open
• Sunday: closes at 11:00pm

Note that while there is a schedule in place, there may be up to 30-minute delays in openings. Vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian access is prohibited whenever the road is closed.

The mandatory ESTA Shuttle Bus (Eastern Sierra Transit Authority) will stop running on September 15. Personal vehicles will be permitted on the road from 7:00am on Saturdays (starting September 21) through Sunday nights at 11:00pm until winter closure.

Devils Postpile National Monument will close on October 27 unless snow or road conditions prevent vehicle access sooner.

All campgrounds in the Valley will be closed during the fall season and schedule. Wilderness permits will be available only Saturdays and Sundays through winter closure. Print a copy of your permit and leave it on the dashboard of your vehicle.

Before your visit, please check both the Inyo National Forest and Devils Postpile National Monument websites for the latest information:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../inyo/learni ... ty-ethics/...

https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/index.htm

For information about visiting Reds Meadow Resort and Pack Station, please check their website: www.redsmeadow.com.