Interagency News Release
Deanna Dulen, 760-934-2289 (Devils Postpile National Monument)
Deb Schweizer, 760-873-2427 (Inyo National Forest)
Preparing for Winter on Reds Meadow Road and Devils Postpile National Monument
The Inyo National Forest and Devils Postpile National Monument are planning for winter on the Reds Meadow Road. The road will close at the Minaret Vista for the season on Sunday, October 27 at sunset.
The Devils Postpile Ranger station is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday through Monday and will close for the season at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 14.
Two Inyo National Forest campgrounds are still open in the valley, Pumice Flat and Reds Meadow, and will close on October 6.
Starting Oct. 15, there is no overnight parking in the Reds Meadow Valley and the road is not plowed during or after winter storms. Depending on the nature and extent of the snowfall, the road may re-open if conditions allow. The Inyo National Forest makes every reasonable and safe effort to keep the road open until the winter closure.
After Oct. 13, visitors are advised to bring their own water. Potable water will not be available at Devils Postpile National Monument or anywhere in Reds Meadow Valley as these systems will be winterized. Vault toilets are available. If the parking lot at Devils Postpile fills, visitors are advised to park at the overnight hiking parking lot, or go to another destination such as the Rainbow Falls Trailhead parking lot.
While the road is closed, visitors may still access destinations along the road using nearby trail networks. The Reds Meadow Road accesses popular recreation destinations such as Minaret Vista, Devils Postpile National Monument, Reds Meadow, and Sotcher Lake. The area is popular with anglers, hunters, hikers, campers, and backpackers.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
