Does anybody know the current conditions of the Mammoth Lakes area? I've read reports that Red Meadow Valley is closed due to downed trees from the autumn wind storm (possibly to be reopened by July 4), and the Devil's Postpile, Rainbow Falls, etc are off-limits, however I've also read recent trip reports of Mt Ritter from that side.

Basically, we have a permit to camp at Ediza Lake on July 7, we plan on taking the Shadow Creek Trail up there that day and doing the SE glacier route the following morning. Any idea if this area is part of the closure? Would be reeeaaally bummed if this trip doesn't work out.

Have you called the Mammoth Lakes ranger station? Last I heard there was still no public traffic on 203 past the Minaret overlook. I assume you have been following these pages:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/home/?cid=stelprdb5355082

http://www.monocounty.org/blog/index.cfm?action=cntHits&postid=148

Went by the Red's Meadow gate yesterday. It is still closed though I did not look to see a potential reopening date.

The most recent update on conditions was put online on June 17th. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/home ... rdb5355082
The key to using the Shadow Lake Trail / Agnew Meadows TH is whether the Red's Meadow Shuttle is running. Currently it is NOT running, so there is no access to the Shadow Lake Trailhead/ Agnew Meadows. I suspect that the shuttle will be running by your date. The alternative entry point is the Rush Creek TH, by Silver Lake on the June Lake Loop. You may want to make fall-back Wilderness Reservations for that entry point. The problem there is that the pack-in is twice as long, which means less time at your Mt Ritter destination. I am planning to pack in Lake Ediza on June 24th thru Friday June 30th. I am not optimistic that the shuttle will be running. But we will still have enought days to climb Mt Ritter and Clyde Minaret. Good luck with your trip.

Heard it said that the road will open on or by July 4th.

Thanks for the info, everyone. I have spoken with the Mammoth Lakes ranger station and as of yet, no official date has been set but they're optimistic it'll be open this coming weekend. Will update here when I hear the official announcement for anyone else wondering the same thing.

The road to Reds Meadow opens Friday the 29th

DSHOSHONE is correct.
This is the current announcement from the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce:
Reds Meadow Road to Open June 29
A record snowfall and resulting damage has delayed the opening of the Reds Meadow Road to Wednesday, June 29, 2011. The target date of June 24 was not met due to the time required to remove hazards and debris, and to make repairs along the roadway as a result of winter avalanches and harsh conditions. The road, with access to the Devils Postpile National Monument, will open at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 29, 2011 with shuttle bus services beginning immediately. Mandatory shuttle service will commence on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, and operate through Wednesday, September 7, 2011. Shuttles will depart from the base of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Main Lodge “Adventure Center” every 15-20 minutes during peak times (10:00am - 4:00pm) and 45 minutes during off-peak times (7:30am - 9:45am; 4:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.). The first shuttle will depart the Adventure Center daily at 7:30 a.m. Shuttles depart from The Village at Mammoth Lakes daily at 7:15, 8:00, 8:45, 9:15, and then every 30 minutes or less from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Motorists traveling as exception vehicles are urged to use caution, drive slowly, and watch for wildlife!
The snowpack in the valley is variable and is preventing the opening of several campgrounds and trails. Facilities that will be open on June 29th include Reds Meadow Resort, Devils Postpile National Monument (including trails to the Postpile and Rainbow Falls), and Reds Meadow Campground. Devils Postpile Campground will open on Friday, July 1, 2011 but may have snow patches. Additional facilities, campgrounds and trails should open before the July 4th holiday weekend, depending on weather conditions.

obsidian wrote:DSHOSHONE is correct.
This is the current announcement from the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce:
Reds Meadow Road to Open June 29
A record snowfall and resulting damage has delayed the opening of the Reds Meadow Road to Wednesday, June 29, 2011. The target date of June 24 was not met due to the time required to remove hazards and debris, and to make repairs along the roadway as a result of winter avalanches and harsh conditions. The road, with access to the Devils Postpile National Monument, will open at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 29, 2011 with shuttle bus services beginning immediately. Mandatory shuttle service will commence on Wednesday, June 29, 2011, and operate through Wednesday, September 7, 2011. Shuttles will depart from the base of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Main Lodge “Adventure Center” every 15-20 minutes during peak times (10:00am - 4:00pm) and 45 minutes during off-peak times (7:30am - 9:45am; 4:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.). The first shuttle will depart the Adventure Center daily at 7:30 a.m. Shuttles depart from The Village at Mammoth Lakes daily at 7:15, 8:00, 8:45, 9:15, and then every 30 minutes or less from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Motorists traveling as exception vehicles are urged to use caution, drive slowly, and watch for wildlife!
The snowpack in the valley is variable and is preventing the opening of several campgrounds and trails. Facilities that will be open on June 29th include Reds Meadow Resort, Devils Postpile National Monument (including trails to the Postpile and Rainbow Falls), and Reds Meadow Campground. Devils Postpile Campground will open on Friday, July 1, 2011 but may have snow patches. Additional facilities, campgrounds and trails should open before the July 4th holiday weekend, depending on weather conditions.

It looks like that was for the 2011 opening.

Here is 2012 opening schedule

Reds Meadow Valley Road To Open On Friday June 29
Release Date: Jun 26, 2012 Bishop, CA

Contact(s): Nancy Upham

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Reds Meadow Valley Road is now scheduled to open to the public on Friday, June 29, providing public access to Devils Postpile National Monument, Rainbow Falls, Reds Meadow Resort and recreation sites, trailheads, and campgrounds in the Reds Meadow Valley. All regular rules, fees and restrictions will be in place upon opening of the road, including mandatory use of the shuttle bus. Information on fees, the mandatory shuttle bus and exception vehicles can be obtained on the Inyo National Forest website, www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/inyo/specialplaces. The Forest Service plans to open the road to exception vehicles at 9:00 a.m. on Friday. The first bus into the Valley will leave the Mammoth Adventure Center at 8:45 a.m.

The US Forest Service, National Park Service and several partners have been working hard to remove fallen trees, hazards and debris and make repairs to infrastructure damaged in the November 30 wind event that toppled tens of thousands of trees in the Reds Meadow Valley, surrounding area and throughout the Inyo National Forest. Invaluable assistance has come from other partners such as the Pacific Crest Trail Association, Student Conservation Association, Youth Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps, American Conservation Experience, Friends of the Inyo and Backcountry Horsemen of California.

Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile Campgrounds will be open on a first come-first served basis at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 29. The Forest Service is planning to open Pumice Flat and portions of Minaret Falls Campground in subsequent days. Campsite availability will be tracked by staff at the Minaret Vista Ranger Station and campers will be informed of availability upon arrival at the Station, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. Group campgrounds remain closed and reservations are not being accepted at this time.

Most of the area trails have been cleared and are open to the public, including access to the primary destinations of the Valley, Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. The Forest Service estimates that nearly 2000 trees have been cleared from trails in and around the Reds Meadow Valley. Maps that display information on the status of all area trails and identify remaining problem areas are available on the Inyo National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/Inyo/Blowdown.

The Forest Service is making every effort to clear recognizable and identifiable hazards from developed recreation sites (roads, non-wilderness trails, campgrounds, trailheads, etc.). Hazards continue to be present in the general forest areas and in a small number of developed recreation sites. Hazards have not been cleared in Agnew Meadows and Upper Soda Springs Campgrounds and these areas are closed to all public entry. Numerous and varied hazards exist in wilderness and other undeveloped forest areas. Visitors to these areas should understand the risks and know how to identify and avoid potential hazards.

Road work, repairs and removal of logs from the Valley will continue throughout the summer. Visitors may experience unexpected delays. Temporary road closures may be necessary and will be scheduled in an effort to minimally disrupt public use and enjoyment of the area.

For more information, please call the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center at (760) 924-5500 or visit the Welcome Center at 2510 Hwy 203 next to the Mammoth Ranger Station.

SIERRA GUY and DSHOSHONE,
DAMN !!! How could I have missed that ???
Thanks for correcting my HUMONGEOUS EMBARRASSING ERROR !!!
I FEEL LIKE SUCH A FOOL !!!

Awesome, thanks for the updates. Looks like we're good to go.

Next question for anyone in the area... Is there any snow left?