Visitor Guide to Devils Postpile and the National Forest
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National Forest Service Visitor Guide to Devils Postpile and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Reds Meadow Valley National Park Service 2015-2016 U.S. Department of the Interior What’s Inside The Post Shuttle Bus Information...................... 2 Information and Services.................... 3 Area Map........................................... 4-5 Hiking.....................................................6 Planning for the Future and Junior Rangers.......................................7 Fire Safety, Wildlife and Bookstores and Partners......................8 A wildland firefighter burns a woody debris pile in the Reds Meadow Valley. Photo: M. Buhler Living with Wildland Fire Fire is a way of life in California and structures and human life and con- and pile burns is a critical component throughout the west. Its effects can sumed all vegetation in its path. in protecting life, property, and the be seen from the sage brush to the ecological health of the forest. red fir forests. Fire, when managed The Rainbow Fire provided a good Deanna M. Dulen properly, creates habitat diversity, example of what can happen when fire The winter of 2014/2015 marked the Superintendent, Devils Postpile valuable homes for wildlife, and im- is removed from an ecosystem for years fourth winter of drier than normal National Monument proves the health of ecosystems. and fuels are allowed to build up. conditions in the Sierra. With snow- packs averaging between 20-30% of But fire can also be catastrophic and The fire also provided an opportunity average, conditions are favorable for in some cases, extremely damaging to for managers to look at how to live with summer wildfires. Inside this guide, ecosystems and life and property. wildland fire and how to include fire in you will find valuable information on Jon C. Regelbrugge the management of public lands. what you can do during your visit to District Ranger In 1992, the Rainbow Fire burned help protect your public lands from Mammoth Ranger District hot and fast through the Reds Mead- With changing climate, California is ex- human caused fire. Inyo National Forest ow Valley. The fire burned in areas periencing warmer, drier winters and where fire suppression had been the possibility for large, damaging fires Be a part of the solution this summer the practice for years, leaving exces- is increasing. Reducing fuel through and help eliminate human-caused sive fuel. The fire quickly threatened mechanical thinning, prescribed burns, wildland fire. Park the Car and Ride the Bus! Shuttle Bus and Fee Information Schedule The bus is mandatory for most visitors. From the Village at Mammoth: See the chart below for prices. Tickets • 7:15 a.m. can be purchased at the Adventure • 8:00 a.m. Center, located at the main gondola • 8:45 a.m. building at Mammoth Mountain. • 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. every 30 minutes At which stop will I find... National Park Service Parking for the shuttle bus is along the U.S. Department of the Interior roadside near Mammoth Mountain From 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., visitors will Main Lodge. Leashed and muzzled board the Mammoth Mountain Bike Food and Bottled Water...... dogs are welcome on buses. Please Park Shuttle to get to the Adventure Devils Postpile Wildflower Walk................. National Monument be careful walking along the roadside Center (free for hikers). from the parking areas to the Adven- Shadow Lake/River Trail....... Mailing Address ture Center to purchase bus tickets. From the Mammoth Mountain Adven- ture Center: P.O. Box 3999 Ranger Station, Programs.... Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 The trip into the valley takes about 30 • 7:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. every 45 minutes. Be prepared for a variety of minutes Devils Postpile Trail.............. Phone: (760) 934-2289 conditions. Hiking shoes, sunscreen, • 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. every 20 water, and food are recommended. minutes Fax: (760) 934-4780 Starkweather Lake.............. Web site: www.nps.gov/depo • 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. every 30–45 If you are one of the following, you minutes qualify as an exception to the bus Sotcher Lake....................... system and will be allowed to drive The Need for a Shuttle System into the valley, and must pay a fee at the The shuttle has allowed the valley to Rainbow Falls Trail............... Minaret Vista Station. recover from intense use that occurred • Visitors displaying a disabled per- throughout the 1970’s. It has protected Bookstore/Souvenirs....... sons parking placard or plate the area from degradation caused by • Visitors with an inflated float tube high visitation and limited parking. Payphones................. or non-motorized vessel for use on Whether riding the shuttle or driving valley lakes into the valley in an exception vehicle, First Aid/Emergency Care..... • Visitors staying in a designated everyone enjoys a safer experience as a campground in the valley (back- result of the shuttle operation. National Forest Service packers must use the shuttle) U.S. Department of Agriculture • Visitors towing livestock trailers Adventure Center Area Map 395 • Overnight guests of Reds Meadow To Mammoth Lakes & 395 Mammoth Ranger District Resort • Visitors entering the valley when Inyo National Forest Shuttle the bus is not running Parking Mailing Address • Hunters transporting weapons or P.O. Box 148 game Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 Fees for exception vehicles: Caution: Please be • One Day Pass: $10/vehicle careful while walking Phone: (760) 924-5500 alongside the road • Three-day pass: $20/vehicle (Good Fax: (760) 924-5547 The for three of five consecutive days) Yodler Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo • Campers: $10/vehicle for the dura- Mammoth Climbing tion of stay. Mountain Inn Wall Shuttle • Season pass: $35/vehicle. Boarding Three-day and season passes for ex- ception vehicles are accepted at Mono Statue Zip-line Main Lake South Tufa and Schullman Grove Area Lodge Day use Areas. Adventure Center Interagency Annual, Military, Senior, 3) North and Access Passes are only accepted 20 te Rou nic for vehicles that are exceptions to the (Sce Minaret Road shuttle bus. Interagency passes are not Gondola to top of To Minaret Vista Mammoth Mountain 0 100 Meters valid for shuttle bus tickets. and Devils Postpile 11053ft 0 100 Feet 3369m Shuttle Bus Passes PASSES COST Day Pass $7 per adult, $4 per child (aged 3-15), children 2 and under are free. Wilderness Hikers $7 per adult, $4 per child (aged 3-15), children 2 and under are free. One time fee for the duration of stay in the valley, based on permit or reservation. Three-day Pass $14 per adult, $8 per child (aged 3-15), children 2 and under are free. Season Pass $35 per adult, $20 per child (aged 3-15), children 2 and under are free. 2 Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide Length Limits on the Information and Services Postpile Road EMERGENCIES SHOWERS of visitors to understand and comply To decrease risks and provide for In an emergency, dial 911. Cell phone The Reds Meadow hot spring fed with all applicable state, local, and fed- the safety of all visitors traveling on coverage is limited. Pay phones are lo- showers will not open this season. The eral firearms laws before entering the the narrow road accessing Devils cated at Devils Postpile, Reds Meadow tub will be locked for safety reasons. monument or forest. For information Postpile National Monument, Devils Resort and Pumice Flat campground. Showers will be available at the Reds on California regulations, visit Postpile has restricted the length of Meadow Resort and Packstation. http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/. vehicles on the section of road in VISITOR CENTERS Showers are $7.00. Towels are available the monument to 37 feet. This does Devils Postpile for $1.00. Federal law prohibits firearms in all not apply to the entire road. This The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is federal facilities including the Dev- only applies to the short section of open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. FOOD SERVICES ils Postpile Ranger Station and the road that spurs off the Reds Mead- from late-June through Labor Day. It Food service is available at the Reds Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, ow Road and enters the national will be open in September and October Meadow Resort. A store and a res- unless specifically authorized (18 USC monument. as staffing permits. Maps, backcountry taurant are open from June through 930(a)). permits, and other information is avail- September. Camping supplies and Commercial vehicles longer than 37 able. There is also a bookstore on site. groceries are also available. STOCK USE feet should contact Eastern Sierra Devils Postpile Transit Authority (www.estransit. Inyo National Forest PETS Stock are allowed on monument trails com) for information on entrance The Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center Devils Postpile with the exception of the Devils Post- into Devils Postpile. serves the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Pets are allowed on trails and in the pile Trail and a short section of trail the Inyo National Forest, and the campground at the monument and near Rainbow Falls. Ask for a detailed Recreational vehicles longer than 37 National Park Service year-round. A must be on a leash at all times. map at the Ranger Station. feet are advised to use Forest Service bookstore and permits are available. campgrounds that will accommo- Hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. Inyo National Forest Stock should enter the monument via date 37 foot vehicles and utilize the to 5:00 p.m. daily (760-924-5505). Pets are allowed on trails in the Inyo the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. Parking Reds Meadow Shuttle bus if visiting National Forest as long as they are on and maneuvering in valley parking Devils Postpile.