Elevation Sierra Adventure Essentials

Inyo National Forest Provides Wilderness Permits Virtually The Inyo National Forest has implemented 05-04-50-200-21, effective November 3. This opens the Inyo p...ortions of the South Sierra, parts of the Golden Trout, most of the John Muir, parts of the Ansel Adams and all of the Owens River Headwaters, and Hoover Wilderness Areas. As a reminder, wilderness permits are required year-round for all Mt Whitney hikes (including day use) and for all overnight trips into Golden Trout, John Muir, Ansel Adams and Hoover Wilderness Areas. Check for road closures and weather forecast before choosing a trip in late fall or winter. Remember: Mountain Safety is no Accident. Check the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center for winter conditions. The non-quota season is November 2 through April 30. Previously, during the non-quota season visitors would wait in line for walk up permits or utilize self-issue forms. While our facilities remain closed to the public to protect the health and safety of our employees and the public, we will continue to offer services online and by phone issuing wilderness permits through the virtual process established during the 2020 summer season. Visitors may book a wilderness permit by making a reservation on the recreation.gov website. After completing the reservation, follow the instructions in the reservation confirmation for how to Check-in by Email to request the permit. Print and sign your permit before your trip. As group leader you are agreeing to follow all the rules and regulations and ensure that members of your group do likewise. Signed permits must be in group leaders' possession during the trip and must be presented to rangers upon request. Plan ahead for holidays as visitor services will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s day. Allow a few days to receive a permit by Email Check-in. To expedite a permit by phone, call during business hours, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Winter Season Hours Wilderness Permit Office Phone service 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. 760-873-2483. Closed for holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Mono Basin Closed for the season. Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center Phone service, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. 760-924-5500. Closed holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day) White Mountain Ranger Station Phone service: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, 760-873-2500, 760-873-2501, closed holidays (Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day) Eastern Sierra Visitor Center Phone service Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm., 760-876-6200, 760-876-6222. Closed holidays (Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day)

This morning, we received direction from the Regional Office that the Forest closure would be extended another week for the 9 Forests that are currently close...d. This includes the Inyo National Forest. We anticipate that the new extended closure orders will be signed tomorrow as the current order expires. The Regional Office decision is based on the continued hot and dry conditions that remain in the forecast for the upcoming week and continued firefighting resources limitations.

Bureau of Land Management has placed additional fire restrictions throughout Inyo and Mono county for obvious reasons. We currently have many fires currently burning throughout the Sierras, and conditions are extremely dry and windy. Please read thoroughly as this applies to established campgrounds and open dispersed camping areas. These fire restrictions include the following. -No building, maintaining, attending, or using a campfire, charcoal BBQ, portable stoves, or open ...flame of any kind, including within established campground. -No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas. -No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. -No possession, discharge or use of fireworks, pyrotechnic or incendiary devices. -No shooting, igniting or causing to burn; explosives or explosive material, including binary explosive targets https://www.blm.gov//bureau-land-management-increases-fire

Messgae from Regional Forester Randy Moore regarding the temporary Forest Closures and Prohibitions in R5

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r5/news-events/ Forestry has announced a closer of Inyo and many other forestry areas as of 5pm today. Please read if you are planning a hike in this area.

For those who are wondering how the air quality is here in the Eastern Sierras.

Just a heads up for anyone planning to be in the Owens Gorge area in early August: High flows expected August 3-9 as LADWP will be releasing higher-than-normal water. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com//August-2020-high-flow- Photo by @idenemam