San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

<<Update May 24...the Devils Postpile website says the Red's Meadows Campground will be the only one open this summer. First come, first served. Hmmm...>>



Okay. Snowpack is average which is good.

Construction on the road from Mammoth into the San Joaquin River Valley is continuing. The road's expected to open July 3rd...ish. check this site for details.

Road to Red's Meadows, etc....

Check that site carefully for changes as your trip approaches.

NO WORD YET on whether any campgrounds in the valley will be open. I'ma plan to camp elsewhere and do day hikes around the area.

You'll pretty much need to ride the shuttle...15 bucks for adults. And no shuttle on Monday-Wednesday.

HOWEVER....IF THE ROAD'S OPEN, but the shuttle's not running.....check this out:


Exceptions to the Shuttle Bus
The following exceptions may drive into the valley. Visitors who:

Arrive before 7:00 am or after 7:00 pm
Are staying overnight at the Reds Meadow Resort or at any designated campground in the valley. Backpackers must use the shuttle system.
Have a cartop boat or inflated float tube for use on valley lakes (there are no boat launches in the valley)
Are towing a livestock trailer and intend to use livestock on valley trails
Display a handicap placard or plates
Hunters transporting weapons or game
Arrive outside of shuttle bus operating hours or seasons
Exception vehicles must pay the standard amenity fee or show a federal lands recreation, military, senior, or access pass upon exiting the valley.

I'm not saying that someone could bring a float tube just to get access when the shuttle's not running...or if you don't feel like rolling into the valley before 7 a.m. Nope. No sireebob.

Pic for attention:
Reality check....mostly tiny wild fish, but a few like this one...
If you're planning a trip up to the Eastern Sierra...consider the Tuff Campground. Driven past it a million times, but stayed there last year. Beautiful, fishable creek, centrally located for day-tripping to Mammoth, Rock Creek, points north and south and ..and the Owens River if that's your thing.

Haha, I have definitely taken a mostly-inflated float tube up with me to gain access to the valley in the middle of the day, and it was no problem at all. I'm hoping they get the road finished up this Summer and re-open the valley totally for access.

Nice fish pics!

Bringing a firearm was the way we used to get around the bus system. Never was asked about it, just sent us on our way.

<<Update May 24...the Devils Postpile website says the Red's Meadows Campground will be the only one open this summer. First come, first served. Hmmm...>>

Thinking of sliding in there on a Sunday...if there's a campsite to be had, will be stuck in there 'til the following Thursday. None of that "running into town because I forgot the...."

For cabin campers, looks like the Red's Meadows Resort is taking reservations for cabins. But with M-W road construction, check the notes here:
https://www.redsmeadow.com/

<<May 29 update: Mono County tourism website says the road through Mammoth is fully open, up to Horseshoe Lake. Whatever you do, don't stop by the dual bridges at the Twin Lakes outlet and try to coax tiny wild fish out of the whitewater between the bridges. No fish there. Nope. Not ever.

I've always gone in before 7:00am, quiet and nobody around! Last year I drove in after the road crews left for the day around 4:00 in the afternoon. It worked well for the p.m. dry fly bite.

Mammoth area in September .....any suggestions. Water is usually getting skinny this time of year but am curious where folks go in fall?

Chopper130 wrote: Tue Sep 02, 2025 9:31 am Mammoth area in September .....any suggestions. Water is usually getting skinny this time of year but am curious where folks go in fall?

If you fly fish, waters are still very fishable, especially your Owens (Upper and Lower), and even Hot Creek through the weeds with long leaders and short drifts.

I don't do much stillwater but i'm assuming those are still in play.