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Does anyone know until which point big pine creek road/glacier lodge road is open currently?
And how Whitney Portal road?

Thanks a lot!

As of last week (pre-storm) we were able to drive to (almost) the end of the road, near the bathrooms on Glacier Lodge. Beyond the backpacker parking for sure

Update on Rock Creek
As of today there's a sign up on the Sno-Park kiosk that states day permits are no longer required to park at E Fork. The gate is still locked here. If you want to double-check the latest status you can stop by the Tom's Place Resort store, which also sells permits. Snow coverage on the road is spotty but there's a well-worn ski track through the campground.

Bolstering Michelle's comments above:

There was just enough snow on Friday both falling and left by the scrapers from the East Fork Parking (Sno-Park, but no permits needed) to gingerly skin up the road:



Playing chicken with the big boys (they were really cool to talk to):


Probably be quite a while longer before pie (Sorry, Deb!):


And here's what the guys are up against just a few hundred yards above the Lodge:


They are hoping to get to the pack station sometime this week. Inyo NF is in charge of actually opening the gate whether the road is plowed or not. By Sunday, the road was melted out such that any car could get to the RC Lodge, but the gate of course was still locked. Made for a long trudge down in the ski boots!!

MooseTracks wrote:(they were really cool to talk to):

Billy or Conti? They were both up there on Friday and are up there as I type.

That is the "Rock Creek Resort" and not RC Lodge which is located about a mile and a half down the road and off in RC Meadows, BTW.

Aannnddd... as of Sunday, one could easily drive on the melted out road to both the Lodge, as well as the Resort. My friends were able to find some slush to glide on the road edges, but I opted to not destroy my bases (they were out of wax anyway) and hoofed it all the way out.

Didn't bother with names, just smiled nice and they let me squeak by the big machines. Very pleasant team, and I made sure to thank them for their hard work.

Also found out today that the South Lake road is plowed all the way up, but the gate is still locked down at Bishop Creek. Edison is doing some work up that'a'way.

I'm headed for Big Pine manana for patients, so I'll cruise up the road and check that one out. Need to check the snow line for this coming weekend...

MooseTracks wrote:Also found out today that the South Lake road is plowed all the way up, but the gate is still locked down at Bishop Creek. Edison is doing some work up that'a'way.

Jam! I take it bicycles are ok?
Makes me miss my wr250...

According to my friends Patrick and Kedron, they finished plowing to the Onion Valley trailhead as they pulled into the parking lot around noon on Sunday. Rock Creek is plowed to the lodge, but the road is gated at the snow park. You can ski beside the road more or less the whole way to the snow park, though.

South Lake


Dam work to start soonApril 12, 2011
ByMike Bodine/Register Staff
South Lake Dam is getting a new liner to prevent future leaks. The down side is the lake will be closed to fishermen until late June. The upside is when anglers do return, the lake will be brimming with hundreds of lunker-sized Alpers trout.
Southern California Edison announced on Friday that work to upgrade the dam face at South Lake Reservoir is expected to commence on April 15, weather conditions permitting.
At this time, SCE will clear snow from access roads to the dam and mobilize equipment and materials needed at the work site. The South Lake Reservoir upgrade involves the installation of a new geomembrane liner to protect the dam face from current and future leaks. The liner is expected to extend the life span of the dam by up to 30 years.
To accommodate the infrastructure upgrade project, the water level in South Lake will be held at a reduced level beginning mid April through July. SCE anticipates the reservoir will be completely full by July 31 of this year.
Crew and equipment will be transported to the work area using existing public roads and trails to minimize potential impacts to the area. Foot trails to access the reservoir are estimated to be re-opened to the public around the end of June. Depending on snow conditions, access may be available sooner. At that time, SCE will be stocking the natural lake with approximately 600 trophy-sized Alpers trout.
Work on the reservoir’s dam face can only be conducted during the spring and summer months due to access issues caused by snow during the fall and winter. The Inyo National Forest and SCE appreciate the public’s cooperation while this work progresses.
For more information, contact Sheila Irons, at (760) 924-5534.

Glacier Lodge Road is clear all the way to the trailhead. Overnight parking lot is also clear.

And the north face of Kid looks unbelievable...

Owens River Rd. to Little Hot Creek and the Upper O fence line is clear. Not a soul around and the fishing.... amazing!

Nice fish.....

Just spoke to my neighbor who is driving the "Blower" (the one in Mooses Pic) on RC Rd. He said that they reached the Pack Station yesterday afternoon and will have the entire road cleared and fully accessible no later than Friday afternoon.

As far as the road past the gate to Mosquito Flats, I can tell ya that won't happen for a while. I have had to call the USFS folks down in Bishop for the last eight years to get their asses up there and unlock the gate. There's still tons of snow that is still on the road. My best guessitmate is MAYBE, if the weather continues to stay on the warm side, maybe by Memorial Day..... MAYBE!

Devils Postpile/Reds Meadow Road...tentative...opening June 24th, shuttle starting June 25th

Anyone know if 168 is still gated at Aspendell? I assume it prob is, but wishful thinking that is opened up with the drier, warm weather lately.