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Visitor Guide to Devils Postpile and the Reds Meadow Valley

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Visitor Guide to Devils Postpile and the Reds Meadow Valley National Park Service Visitor Guide to Devils Postpile U.S. Department of the Interior National Forest Service and the Reds Meadow Valley U.S. Department of Agriculture The Post Photo: NPS Living with Wildland Fire Fire is a way of life in California and The Rainbow Fire provided a good example Wildland Fire Management Today property and the ecological health of the throughout the west. Its effects can be of what can happen when fire is removed Today’s forests are thinned and cleared forest. seen from the sagebrush to the red fir from an ecosystem for years and fuels are and low-lying vegetation is removed by Inside this guide, you will find valuable forests. With changing climate, California allowed to build up. The fire also provided prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, information on what you can do during is experiencing warmer, drier winters an opportunity for managers to look at how and pile burning. This management your visit to help protect your public and the possibility for large, damaging to live with wildland fire and how to include strategy helps to decrease the poten- lands from human caused fire. fires is increasing for a larger proportion fire in the management of public lands. tial of catastrophic fires and promote Be a part of the solution this summer of the year. Are there Benefits of Wildland Fire? healthier forests. When people live in or near the wildland, careful planning and and help eliminate human-caused wild- History of Fire Yes, and changes created by fire are land fire. For thousands of years prior to the 20th important. Fire, when managed properly, work is required to manage forests and he monument is updating the existing century, fire shaped this landscape. creates habitat diversity, valuable homes protect the community. Reducing fuel is T Fire and Fuels Management Plan and Forests had fewer, yet larger, healthier for wildlife, and improves the health of a critical component in protecting life, Environmental Assessment. The pur- trees, more widely spaced apart. In 1992, ecosystems while also protecting human pose of the update is to expand fire and the Rainbow Fire burned hot and fast life and property. Fire plays a natural role fuels management, respond to declining through the Reds Meadow Valley. The fire in clearing limbs, dead leaves, needles, forest health, protect natural and cul- burned in areas where fire suppression small trees and shrubs from the forest tural resources, and reduce the risk of had been in practice for years, leaving floor. Fire also helps manage insect pop- catastrophic fire. The draft will be open excessive fuel and dense stands of trees. ulations that prey on trees. But fire can for public comment in July. Check the The fire quickly threatened structures also be catastrophic and in some cases, website for updates. and human life and consumed all vegeta- extremely damaging to ecosystems, life tion in its path. and property. www.parkplanning.nps.gov/depo Trail to the Base of Rainbow Falls What’s Inside The trail to the base of Rainbow Falls is temporarily closed Shuttle Bus Information............ 2 in order to complete needed trail work on the popular route to the base of the waterfall. The trail to the top of Rainbow Information and Services.......... 3 Falls remains open, and visitors have access to the two viewpoints of the waterfall. Area Map................................. 4-5 The temporary closure of the trail is necessary for park crews to complete much needed trail maintenance and to mitigate Hiking......................................... 6 rockfall hazards. The closure is expected to last throughout Every Kid in a Park the season. and Junior Rangers.................... 7 Trail work is being completed by Devils Postpile National Monument staff with assistance from a local conservation Citizen Science, Wildlife trail crew. and Bookstores.......................... 8 Photo: NPS Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide 1 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 can • 7:15 a.m. be purchased at the Adventure Center, located at the main gondola building at • 8:00 a.m. Mammoth Mountain. • 8:45 a.m. At which stop National Park Service Parking for the shuttle bus is along the • 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. every 30 min. U.S. Department of the Interior will I find... roadside near Mammoth Mountain Main From 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., visitors will Lodge. Leashed and muzzled dogs are board the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park Food and Bottled Water..... Devils Postpile welcome on buses. Please be careful Shuttle to get to the Adventure Center National Monument walking along the roadside from the Wildflower Walk................ (free for hikers). parking areas to the Adventure Center to Mailing Address purchase bus tickets. From the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Shadow Lake/River Trail...... P.O. Box 3999 Center: Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 The trip into the valley takes about 30 minutes. Be prepared for a variety of • 7:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. every 45 min. Ranger Station, Programs..... Phone: (760) 934-2289 conditions. Hiking shoes, sunscreen, • 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. every 20 min. water, and food are recommended. Devils Postpile Trail............. Fax: (760) 934-4780 • 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. every 30–45 min. Web site: www.nps.gov/depo If you are one of the following, you Starkweather Lake............. qualify as an exception to the bus system The Need for a Shuttle System and will be allowed to drive into the Sotcher Lake...................... valley, and must pay a fee at the Minaret The shuttle has allowed the valley to Vista Station. recover from intense use that occurred Rainbow Falls Trail.............. • Visitors displaying a disabled persons throughout the 1970’s. It has protected parking placard or plate the area from degradation caused by high Bookstore/Souvenirs...... visitation and limited parking. Whether • Visitors with an inflated float tube or Payphones............... non-motorized vessel for use on valley riding the shuttle or driving into the valley lakes in an exception vehicle, everyone enjoys a safer experience as a result of the shuttle First Aid/Emergency Care...... • Visitors staying in a designated campground in the valley (backpackers operation. National Forest Service must use the shuttle) U.S. Department of Agriculture • Visitors towing livestock trailers Adventure Center Area Map To Mammoth Lakes & 395 395 Mammoth Ranger District • Overnight guests of Reds Meadow Inyo National Forest Resort • Visitors entering the valley when the Shuttle Mailing Address bus is not running Parking P.O. Box 148 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 • Hunters transporting weapons or game Fees for exception vehicles: Caution: Please be Phone: (760) 924-5500 careful while walking Fax: (760) 924-5547 • One Day Pass: $10/vehicle alongside the road The Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo • Three-day pass: $20/vehicle (Good for Yodler three of five consecutive days) Mammoth Climbing • Campers: $10/vehicle for the duration Mountain Inn Wall Shuttle Boarding of stay. • Season pass: $35/vehicle. Three-day and season passes for excep- Statue Zip-line Main tion vehicles are accepted at Mono Lake Area Lodge South Tufa and Schullman Grove Day Adventure Center use Areas. Interagency Annual, Military, Senior, 3) North 20 te and Access Passes are only accepted for Rou nic (Sce vehicles that are exceptions to the shuttle Minaret Road Gondola to top of bus. Interagency passes are not valid for To Minaret Vista Mammoth Mountain 0 100 Meters and Devils Postpile shuttle bus tickets. 11053ft 0 100 Feet 3369m Shuttle Bus Passes PASSES COST Day Pass $8 per adult, $4 per child (aged 3-15), children 2 and under are free. Wilderness Hikers $8 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 $16 per adult, $8 per child (aged 3-15), children 2 and under are free. Season Pass $40 per adult, $20 per child (aged 3-15), children 2 and under are free. 2 Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide Information and Services EMERGENCIES SHOWERS Forest. It is the responsibility of visitors to In an emergency, dial 911. Cell phone The Reds Meadow hot spring fed showers understand and comply with all applicable coverage is limited. Pay phones are located will not open this season. The tub will be state, local, and federal firearms laws Length Limits on at Devils Postpile, Reds Meadow Resort locked for safety reasons. Showers will be before entering the monument or forest. the Postpile Road and Pumice Flat campground. available at the Reds Meadow Resort and For information on California regulations, To decrease risks and provide for Packstation. Showers are $7.00. Towels are visit: the safety of all visitors traveling on VISITOR CENTERS available for $1.00. http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/ Devils Postpile the narrow road accessing Devils Postpile National Monument, The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is open FOOD SERVICES Federal law prohibits firearms in all Devils Postpile has restricted the daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from late- Food service is available at the Reds federal facilities including the Devils length of vehicles on the section of June through Labor Day. It will be open Meadow Resort. A store and a restaurant Postpile Ranger Station and the Mammoth road in the monument to 25 feet. in September and October as staffing are open from June through September. Lakes Welcome Center, unless specifically permits. Maps and other information is Camping supplies and groceries are also This does not apply to the entire authorized (18 USC 930(a)).
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