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Eastern Sierra road closures due to Hilary storm damage

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 9:34 am
by shampeon
The latest info should be posted on the Inyo County Public Works page. Always check the official sources before heading out.

Inyo National Forest closure list here.

Inyo National Forest campground and trailhead status (updated regularly)

As of 8/24/23, a lot of road closures are affecting the roads to east side trailheads. Here's some of the important TH roads that are closed:

Buttermilk Rd.
North Oak Creek Rd. (Baxter Pass TH)
Foothill Rd. (Shepherd Pass TH)
Onion Valley Rd. (Kearsarge TH)

Note: Whitney Portal Rd. is damaged but there's a detour in place. As of 8/23/23 the campground is closed due to flood damage, ETA of 8/28.

Horseshoe Meadows Rd. is now open, but the campgrounds are closed. ETA of 8/28 (Cottonwood Pass/Cottonwood Lakes/New & Old Army Pass/Trail Pass)

Tuttle Creek Rd. is now open as of 8/24.

Re: Eastern Sierra road closures due to Hilary storm damage

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 2:11 pm
by MADgenius
Thanks for heads-up, shampeon.

Will add that Foothill Rd, which provides access to Shepherd Pass TH, is on the closure list. Inyo NF alert also lists CG and road closures from Hilary here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/inyo/ale ... ?aid=82655.

Re: Eastern Sierra road closures due to Hilary storm damage

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 2:39 pm
by shampeon
I typed Taboose but meant Shepherd, updated. And gracias.

Re: Eastern Sierra road closures due to Hilary storm damage

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2023 9:19 pm
by trahsemaj
Taboose Creek road is not listed in the linked report - given the damage/flooding/closures reported all around it, any chance it might actually be open?

Re: Eastern Sierra road closures due to Hilary storm damage

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 10:31 am
by shampeon
trahsemaj wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 9:19 pm Taboose Creek road is not listed in the linked report - given the damage/flooding/closures reported all around it, any chance it might actually be open?
I don't think they listed any dirt roads in that closures list, so I would for sure try to confirm with Inyo NF that its accessible. The Lone Pine visitor center is closed right now due to plumbing issues (from the storm?), so try one of the other ranger stations.

Re: Eastern Sierra road closures due to Hilary storm damage

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 3:02 pm
by JWreno
I hope the forecast for opening Cottonwood pass trailhead is accurate with the August 28th estimate. My entry permit will be useless if we can't get to Cottonwood Pass.

Re: Eastern Sierra road closures due to Hilary storm damage

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2023 8:26 am
by JayOtheMountains
JWreno wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2023 3:02 pm I hope the forecast for opening Cottonwood pass trailhead is accurate with the August 28th estimate. My entry permit will be useless if we can't get to Cottonwood Pass.
Know how we access the trails in the winter? We walk up the road. Some folks are entrepreneurial and ride their bikes!

Re: Eastern Sierra road closures due to Hilary storm damage

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:36 pm
by JWreno
Horseshoe Meadows roads is not open to vehicles but not pedestrians because of the heavy equipment still on the road. I am glad they took care of issues and reopened the road.