Devils Postpile

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Visitor Guide to Devils Postpile and the Reds Meadow Valley National Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture The Post Photo: NPS Living with Wildland Fire Fire is a way of life in California and throughout the west. Its effects can be seen from the sagebrush to the red fir forests. With changing climate, California is experiencing warmer, drier winters and the possibility for large, damaging fires is increasing for a larger proportion of the year. History of Fire For thousands of years prior to the 20th century, fire shaped this landscape. Forests had fewer, yet larger, healthier trees, more widely spaced apart. In 1992, the Rainbow Fire burned hot and fast through the Reds Meadow Valley. The fire burned in areas where fire suppression had been in practice for years, leaving excessive fuel and dense stands of trees. The fire quickly threatened structures and human life and consumed all vegetation in its path. The Rainbow Fire provided a good example of what can happen when fire is removed from an ecosystem for years and fuels are allowed to build up. The fire also provided an opportunity for managers to look at how to live with wildland fire and how to include fire in the management of public lands. Are there Benefits of Wildland Fire? Yes, and changes created by fire are important. Fire, when managed properly, creates habitat diversity, valuable homes for wildlife, and improves the health of ecosystems while also protecting human life and property. Fire plays a natural role in clearing limbs, dead leaves, needles, small trees and shrubs from the forest floor. Fire also helps manage insect populations that prey on trees. But fire can also be catastrophic and in some cases, extremely damaging to ecosystems, life and property. Wildland Fire Management Today Today’s forests are thinned and cleared and low-lying vegetation is removed by prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, and pile burning. This management strategy helps to decrease the potential of catastrophic fires and promote healthier forests. When people live in or near the wildland, careful planning and work is required to manage forests and protect the community. Reducing fuel is a critical component in protecting life, property and the ecological health of the forest. Inside this guide, you will find valuable information on what you can do during your visit to help protect your public lands from human caused fire. Be a part of the solution this summer and help eliminate human-caused wildland fire. The monument is updating the existing Fire and Fuels Management Plan and Environmental Assessment. The purpose of the update is to expand fire and fuels management, respond to declining forest health, protect natural and cultural resources, and reduce the risk of catastrophic fire. The draft will be open for public comment in July. Check the website for updates. www.parkplanning.nps.gov/depo What’s Inside Trail to the Base of Rainbow Falls The trail to the base of Rainbow Falls is temporarily closed in order to complete needed trail work on the popular route to the base of the waterfall. The trail to the top of Rainbow Falls remains open, and visitors have access to the two viewpoints of the waterfall. The temporary closure of the trail is necessary for park crews to complete much needed trail maintenance and to mitigate rockfall hazards. The closure is expected to last throughout the season. Trail work is being completed by Devils Postpile National Monument staff with assistance from a local conservation trail crew. Shuttle Bus Information............ 2 Information and Services.......... 3 Area Map................................. 4-5 Hiking......................................... 6 Every Kid in a Park and Junior Rangers.................... 7 Citizen Science, Wildlife and Bookstores.......................... 8 Photo: NPS Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide 1 Park the Car and Ride the Bus! Shuttle Bus and Fee Information The bus is mandatory for most visitors. See the chart below for prices. Tickets can be purchased at the Adventure Center, located at the main gondola building at Mammoth Mountain. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Devils Postpile National Monument Mailing Address P.O. Box 3999 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 Phone: (760) 934-2289 Fax: (760) 934-4780 Web site: www.nps.gov/depo Parking for the shuttle bus is along the roadside near Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. Leashed and muzzled dogs are welcome on buses. Please be careful walking along the roadside from the parking areas to the Adventure Center to purchase bus tickets. The trip into the valley takes about 30 minutes. Be prepared for a variety of conditions. Hiking shoes, sunscreen, water, and food are recommended. If you are one of the following, you qualify as an exception to the bus system and will be allowed to drive into the valley, and must pay a fee at the Minaret Vista Station. • Visitors displaying a disabled persons parking placard or plate • Visitors with an inflated float tube or non-motorized vessel for use on valley lakes National Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Mammoth Ranger District Inyo National Forest Mailing Address P.O. Box 148 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 Phone: (760) 924-5500 Fax: (760) 924-5547 Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/inyo • Visitors staying in a designated campground in the valley (backpackers must use the shuttle) • Visitors towing livestock trailers • Overnight guests of Reds Meadow Resort Schedule From the Village at Mammoth: • 7:15 a.m. • 8:00 a.m. • 8:45 a.m. At which stop will I find... • 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. every 30 min. From 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., visitors will board the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park Shuttle to get to the Adventure Center (free for hikers). Food and Bottled Water..... Wildflower Walk................ From the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center: Shadow Lake/River Trail...... Ranger Station, Programs..... • 7:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. every 45 min. • 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. every 20 min. Devils Postpile Trail............. • 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. every 30–45 min. Starkweather Lake............. The Need for a Shuttle System Sotcher Lake...................... The shuttle has allowed the valley to recover from intense use that occurred throughout the 1970’s. It has protected the area from degradation caused by high visitation and limited parking. Whether riding the shuttle or driving into the valley in an exception vehicle, everyone enjoys a safer experience as a result of the shuttle operation. Rainbow Falls Trail.............. Bookstore/Souvenirs...... Payphones............... First Aid/Emergency Care...... Adventure Center Area Map To Mammoth Lakes & 395 Shuttle Parking • Visitors entering the valley when the bus is not running • Hunters transporting weapons or game Fees for exception vehicles: Caution: Please be careful while walking alongside the road • One Day Pass: $10/vehicle • Three-day pass: $20/vehicle (Good for three of five consecutive days) • Campers: $10/vehicle for the duration of stay. The Yodler Climbing Wall Mammoth Mountain Inn Shuttle Boarding • Season pass: $35/vehicle. Statue Three-day and season passes for exception vehicles are accepted at Mono Lake South Tufa and Schullman Grove Day use Areas. Interagency Annual, Military, Senior, and Access Passes are only accepted for vehicles that are exceptions to the shuttle bus. Interagency passes are not valid for shuttle bus tickets. Zip-line Area o ut ic R (Scen M i n a re t R o a d To Minaret Vista and Devils Postpile Adventure Center e2 03 Main Lodge ) North Gondola to top of Mammoth Mountain 11053ft 3369m 0 0 100 Meters 100 Feet Shuttle Bus Passes 2 Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide 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. Information and Services EMERGENCIES In an emergency, dial 911. Cell phone coverage is limited. Pay phones are located at Devils Postpile, Reds Meadow Resort and Pumice Flat campground. VISITOR CENTERS Devils Postpile The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from lateJune through Labor Day. It will be open in September and October as staffing permits. Maps and other information is available. There is also a bookstore on site. Inyo National Forest The Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center serves the Town of Mammoth Lakes, the Inyo National Forest, and the National Park Service year-round. A bookstore and permits are available. Hours of operation are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily (760924-5505). CAMPING Devils Postpile The Devils Postpile National Monument Campground will be closed for the 2018 season. The purpose is to accommodate an increase in day use visitation and to provide better services to the highest number of visitors. Inyo National Forest There are seven Forest Service campgrounds in Reds Meadow Valley. Five campgrounds are first-come, first-served. Current fees for all Inyo campgrounds (including group and horse) can be found on the Inyo National Forest Website or by calling 760-924-5500. Two group campgrounds are available by reservation. Agnew Campground has three equestrian campsites and are also by reservation only. Special Campground Information At the time of printing, exact opening dates for campgrounds in the Reds Meadow Valley were unknown. Please call ahead to ensure that the campground in which you wish to stay will be open. The Inyo National Forest is working to open these sites as soon as possible. Please call ahead for the most current information. Campground Closing Dates All campgrounds in the Reds Meadow Valley close on or before October 15, depending on weather. Call ahead for exact dates. Typically, campgrounds are open through the Labor Day weekend and some stay open into early October. There is no overnight parking in the valley after October 14. SHOWERS The Reds Meadow hot spring fed showers will not open this season. The tub will be locked for safety reasons. Showers will be available at the Reds Meadow Resort and Packstation. Showers are $7.00. Towels are available for $1.00. Forest. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering the monument or forest. For information on California regulations, visit: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/ FOOD SERVICES Food service is available at the Reds Meadow Resort. A store and a restaurant are open from June through September. Camping supplies and groceries are also available. Federal law prohibits firearms in all federal facilities including the Devils Postpile Ranger Station and the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, unless specifically authorized (18 USC 930(a)). PETS Devils Postpile Pets are allowed on trails and in the campground at the monument and must be on a leash at all times. STOCK USE Devils Postpile Stock are allowed on monument trails with the exception of the Devils Postpile Trail and a short section of trail near Rainbow Falls. Ask for a detailed map at the Ranger Station. Inyo National Forest Pets are allowed on trails in the Inyo National Forest as long as they are on leash or under voice control, and near the owner. Pets must be on leash in all National Forest campgrounds and developed sites including parking lots, trailheads, and day use areas. On the Shuttle Bus Leashed and muzzled pets are permitted on the shuttle buses. Muzzles can be purchased at pet stores in Mammoth Lakes or at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. FISHING A fishing license is required for adults ages 16 and older. Regulations can be found in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Freshwater Sport Fishing Book available online or where fishing licenses are sold. HUNTING AND FIREARMS Devils Postpile Hunting is prohibited within the boundaries of the monument. Inyo National Forest Hunting is permitted in designated areas within the Inyo National Forest with a valid license. Contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at 559243-4005 ext. 151 for more information. Regulation booklets are available at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Firearms Regulations Federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in Devils Postpile National Monument and on the Inyo National Stock should enter the monument via the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. Parking and maneuvering in valley parking lots can be very challenging for large vehicles and trailers. Please use caution on the narrow Reds Meadow Road and in parking lots. Off-trail stock use is prohibited. River crossing is only permitted at the designated stock bridge located in on the John Muir/Pacific Crest Trails within the monument. The Soda Springs Bridge is not designed for stock use. Grazing is prohibited and weed free feed is recommended. Inyo National Forest Stock are allowed on most National Forest trails. Several trailheads are suitable for stock loading and unloading including Agnew Meadows and Rainbow Falls. Length Limits on the Postpile Road To decrease risks and provide for the safety of all visitors traveling on the narrow road accessing Devils Postpile National Monument, Devils Postpile has restricted the length of vehicles on the section of road in the monument to 25 feet. This does not apply to the entire road. This only applies to the short section of road that spurs off the Reds Meadow Road and enters the national monument. Commercial vehicles longer than 25 feet should contact Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (www. estransit.com) for information on entrance into Devils Postpile. Recreational vehicles longer than 25 feet are advised to use Forest Service campgrounds that will accommodate 25 foot vehicles and utilize the Reds Meadow Shuttle bus if visiting Devils Postpile. The shuttle bus is free between Agnew Meadows and Reds Meadow Resort. Groups eligible for an educational fee waiver traveling in buses longer than 25 feet should contact Devils Postpile National Monument for information pertaining to special use permits. The road is narrow and visibility is limited. All vehicles should use caution on both the Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile roads. Group size is limited to 15 people and 25 stock. Stock must be kept 200 feet from all lake shores. Pellets, cubes, or grain must be used where feed is limited or grazing is not allowed. Weed free feed is recommended. Remove excess pellets or cubes and remove or scatter manure. Use hitchlines or hobbles to constrain stock in backcountry campsites. Highlines are preferred in many areas to reduce impacts. Camps must be set up 200 feet from water or any trails. Watering of stock should be done away from marshy areas, ponds, lakes, and other places susceptible to bank erosion. Established fords or low, rocky spots in the bank should be used. Photo: NPS Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide 3 Area Map in the Area? CC I FI RE ST NA IL Ri dg High Trail e Agnew Meadows River Tra RA in Agnew Meadows Group qu CT . 1 il I N Y O Agnew Wildflower Meadows Walk Take a hike! PAC IFI CR Joa EST NA L EN in R IC T AI L er R iv 2 Starkweather Lake San Joaquin Ridge Trail/4WD Road Minaret . Vista Upper Soda Springs ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS Pumice Flat Nature Trail BOARD SHUTTLE BUS AT ADVENTURE CENTER 4 . Attend a Ranger Program. Main Lodge FEE REQUIRED BEYOND THIS POINT O PAN Pumice Group G OND AG 5 OLA Reds Lake Minaret Falls Devils Postpile 6 7,560' Reds Meadow 8 ANSEL ADAMS WILDERNESS No wheeled / mechanical devices 9 Mammoth Pass Trail Rainbow Falls Trail Bou nda ry Mammoth Pass Mammoth Pass Trailhead McLeod Lake k IC Twin Lakes Mammoth City . Twin Falls Monte Cristo M Lake Mamie Horseshoe Lake Crystal Lake Trail . Crystal Lake Lower Falls Red Cones Crater Meadow Crystal Crag 10,377' JOHN MUIR Upper Pine City Lake Mary Lake Mary . Lake Lake .. George George T IL ee Stamp Mill Panorama Dome Trail NO RR Bike Trail Twin Lakes Upper Twin CO2 GAS HAZARD AREA EN Cr Mill City Perimeter of hazardous area posted with red signs 10 H Valentine Reserve Mammoth Mountain 11,053' RA ork San Joaquin River . Devils Postpile N A T I O N A L % Sotcher Lake C Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide . LS 4 Nature Trail NA Rainbow Falls 7 PACIFIC CREST N A T I O DE VI LS P OS TPILE NAT IONAL MONUMENT . See Devils Postpile. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Bike Park R AM Minaret Falls Earthquake Fault Climbing Wall Starkweather Lake Trailhead NO RR . No wheeled mechanical devices 9,175' 3 . . 0 SC qu NA TI O 3S3 Deadman Pass C Sa n Inyo Craters Trail oa NI nJ AL Sa IO N S CE G Inyo Crater Lakes T E MA P AC Cast your line. Deer Mountain 8,786' Note: The trip into the Reds Meadow Valley and to Devils Postpile takes visitors 1,500 feet downhill from the Minaret Vista. L AK What to Do Barrett Lake TJ Lake . C TUNNEL CE NI C P ROA D LOO MOT HS 0 3S 8 L E G E N D AM . I LL CUTOF F AD RO M SAWM Smokey Bear Flat Paved Roads . Campground Unpaved Roads . Private Campground Hiking Trail . Wilderness Areas–closed to bicycles, motorized vehicles and all wheeled mechanical devices . RV Park . Hiking Trailhead G Winter Road Closure Group Campground Footbridge Information/Visitor Center Ranger Station Horseback Riding/ Pack Station Picnic Area Resort Public Phone Shuttle Bus Stop . NOTE: All picnic areas and trailheads have restrooms except where noted (NO RR) Shady Rest Park AR Y A RO M A I N S T. New Shady Rest Pine Glen Group MI NA 0 1 MILE Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center and Ranger Station THE TOWN OF MAMMOTH LAKES D 1 Geothermal Plant RV Park R ET Hot Creek Fish Hatchery D Mammoth Creek Park h H M ot Mamm OT Creek M O LD M A R OA D 3S09 Mamm Mammoth Museum Sierra Meadows Ranch Cr 4S08 Snowcreek Golf Course NO RR k ee ot h Sherwin Creek SH NO RR Cr ee k ERWIN C RE EK NO RR YMCA Camp Laurel Mammoth Rock te Mine 8 ek NO RR 4S0 Cre 4S19 Mammoth Rock Trail Sherwin Lakes Trail RO AD Sherwin RO A MERIDIAN BLVD. Sierra Star Golf Course Camp High Sierra 2 MILES t The Village Post Office Old Shady Rest Ho G Community Center Park SCALE: 1.5 INCHES = 1 MILE 4S8 6 Sherwin Lakes Ro F O R E S T ug h4 Interpretive Trail Ro . WD Coldwater ad Mammoth Consolidated Mine Heart Lake Trail Heart Lake moth . WILDERNESS No wheeled mechanical devices C Cr Duck Pass Trailhead Mam Emerald Lake Trail JOHN MUIR ee k Co l d wa Arrowhead Lake Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide 5 Hiking Hiking in the Sierra leads to many types of adventures. Everything from meandering wildflower walks to steep scrambles up glacially scoured peaks awaits. Lake Ediza. Photo: D. Scott Along the King Creek Trail. Photo: M. Finnerty Permits Wilderness permits are required for overnight travel into the Ansel Adams Wilderness year round. Reservations may be made up to six months in advance for trips during the quota season which is May 1 through November 1. A $5 per person reservation fee plus a $6 per reservation transaction fee is charged at the time you reserve with www.recreation.gov. No fee is charged for walk-in permits. Permits and maps are available at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. For trips originating in the Inyo National Forest, call (760) 873-2483 or visit the Inyo National Forest website. For hikes starting in Sequoia, Kings Canyon or Yosemite National Parks, permits must be acquired through those parks and will be valid for the duration of your trip. For trips originating in Sequoia or Kings Canyon, please call (559) 565-3341 or visit www.nps.gov/ seki. For trips originating in Yosemite call (209) 372-0826 (summer only) or visit www.nps.gov/yose. Be Prepared Weather in the mountains changes in 6 Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Guide 6 an instant. Extreme temperatures, violent storms, and unexpected changes are not uncommon. Dress in layers and bring plenty of water on any hike. Do not drink water directly from streams or lakes without filtering or boiling it before consumption. Sensitive Areas Cross country travel is permitted in most areas, but please observe posted signs. Meadows like the ones found in the Reds Meadow Valley and alpine areas are sensitive and may take many years to recover from “social” or unofficial trails. If traveling off-trail, travel on durable surfaces such as rock or snow. Backcountry Fires Fires are allowed in some backcountry areas. It is your responsibility to know where fires are and are not allowed. Keep in mind that this information may change during severe fire seasons. Visit the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center or Devils Postpile Ranger Station for the most current information. Food Storage Approved bear canisters are required in all backcountry areas. Sotcher Lake. Photo: M. Finnerty Select Hiking Trails (Numbers correspond to shuttle stops on Devils Postpile park map) Destination Trailhead Shuttle One Way Stop (mi / km) Description Moderate/Strenuous Follow switchbacks through an open hillside to spectacular views of the Sierra. Lake Ediza Agnew Meadows 1 6mi / 9.7km Shadow Lake Agnew Meadows 1 3mi / 4.8km Moderate Rolling trail takes hikers through open meadows and lodgepole forests to the shores of Shadow Lake. Great mountain views at the lake. Wildflower Trail Agnew 1 Meadows 2mi / 3.2km Easy Self guided wildflower walk. Late June to the middle of July tend to be the best times for the flowers, but bring bug spray. Devils Postpile Devils Postpile 6 0.4mi / 0.6km Easy Wide, level trail through shaded lodgepole forest. Moderate, steep hike to the top of the Postpile. Minaret Falls Devils Postpile 6 1.5mi / 2.3km Easy Rolling trail through the forest travels by natural springs to the falls. Best in early summer. Rainbow Falls Devils Postpile 6 2.5mi / 4km Moderate Rolling terrain through forest and open burn area from the 1992 Rainbow Fire. Great views in open area. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Minaret Lake Devils Postpile 6 8mi / 12.9km Strenuous This can be done as a long day hike or overnight trip. 2,700 foot elevation gain brings hikers to an emerald lake at the base of the Minarets. Sotcher Lake Nature Trail Sotcher Lake 7 2mi / 3.2km Easy/Moderate Self guided nature trail loops around Sotcher Lake. Hikers pass springs and waterfalls along the way. Rainbow Falls Rainbow Falls 9 1.3mi / 1.2km Moderate Slightly shorter than the trail to the falls from Devils Postpile, the terrain is similar. Bring plenty of water on this hike. Let’s Get Every Kid in a Park! “Oh the places you’ll go, Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!” Dr. Suess’ rhyming and rallying charge captures the spirit of the Every Kid in a Park initiative, launched by the White House and Federal Land Management Agencies. In celebration of the National Park Service Centennial, fourth graders can obtain a pass that provides free access to students to all federally managed lands and waters. By introducing America’s youth at an early age to public lands, near and far, this program is a call to action to get all children to experience breathtaking places and meaningful stories throughout the nation. Fourth graders can start the adventure by visiting: www.everykidinapark.gov. After playing an online game, the student can print a voucher which can be exchanged for a durable plastic Interagency Fourth Grade Annual Pass at federal lands centers that issue passes, such as the Welcome Center in Mammoth Lakes. This pass is good for the 2015-2016 school year and summer. To visit the Reds Meadow Valley and Devils Postpile National Monument, fourth grade students with plastic Interagency Fourth Grade Annual Pass can ride the Reds Meadow Shuttle bus for free. Those travelling with the student will need to pay for a bus ticket. This pass cannot be used to discount camping fees. In other federal public lands where an entrance fee is charged per vehicle, anyone in a vehicle with a 4th grade student that has a pass will be admitted for free. With millions of acres of federal lands across the nation, there might be a place for students to explore right in their own backyard! Public lands provide opportunities for youth to be active, spend time with friends and family, and learn in outdoor classrooms and where history was made. Through these experiences, the initiative hopes to inspire the next generation of stewards, motivated to protect our public lands for future generations. Activities for all ages are included in the booklets, available free of charge at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station or at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. Ever wondered if there’s an online program? To become a National Park Service Web Ranger, visit www.nps.gov/webrangers. These programs are open to any age. Whether you’re in fourth grade, or a fourth grader at heart, public lands are for us to explore, so get on your way! The Every Kid in a Park initiative has also Be a Junior Ranger! Want to learn more about Devils Postpile or the U.S. Forest Service? The Devils Postpile Junior Ranger and the National Junior Forest Ranger Programs are great ways to do it. provided additional opportunities for youth to explore the federal public lands throughout this area. In partnership with the Bishop Paiute environmental education program, Firstbloom, Devils Postpile National Monument is one of 186 federal sites to receive an Every Kid in a Park field trip grant from the National Park Foundation. This summer, Firstbloom participants will be engaged stewards of public lands—learning and volunteering to help protect public lands while exploring the Inyo National Forest, Devils Postpile National Monument, and Yosemite National Park. Protecting Special Places Visitors to the Reds Meadow Valley are the area’s most important guardians. The valley has more than one hundred thousand people visiting each year. If all of those people watched over the plants, animals, geology, historic and archeological sites, imagine how well-protected these resources could be! Unfortunately, there are people who either intentionally or unknowingly harm resources. Please contact a park official if you see any of the following: • feeding or approaching wildlife • hunting animals • collecting reptiles or butterflies • collecting plants or pine cones • taking archeological/historic items • carrying or using metal detectors to locate/collect historic objects • driving vehicles into sensitive meadows and off roadways • camping outside of designated campgrounds • using weapons Outside of the monument boundaries, the following is prohibited: • feeding or approaching wildlife • driving vehicles into sensitive meadows and off roadways • camping outside of designated campgrounds except with a valid wilderness permit. If you see activities that could harm people or resources, write descriptions or a vehicle license plate number and call (760) 934-2289. If someone’s life is in danger, call 911. 7 Citizen Science With just the tap of a button, a single picture from a smartphone’s camera— which automatically records the date, time and location—can provide valuable data for scientists. An image can show the life stage and visual habitat conditions of a plant or animal at a specific location by recording GPS coordinates. Smartphone apps, like iNaturalist and Natures Notebook, provide an opportunity for scientists to “crowdsource” data collection from the general public – which we call “citizen science.” These data can be used to detect changes over time -from the shifting migration patterns of birds to earlier flowering dates. But you don’t need a smartphone to be a citizen scientist! Many national parks recruit volunteers to help collect data in the field. At Devils Postpile, volunteers have made major contributions towards NPS Accessibility documenting the diversity of plants and animals. For example, volunteers compiled the first formal report on nesting and breeding birds within the monument which led to more monitoring and improved protection of habitat. Additionally, volunteers conducted the first snow surveys at Devils Postpile to better understand snowpack. This information was so valuable that the California Department of Water Resources decided to include the monument in the statewide snow survey database. Want to help? Download and create an account with iNaturalist. While you’re out on your adventures, take photos of plants and animals that you see (respecting nature, of course!). Being a citizen scientist helps you learn about the natural world and can make exploring even more exciting - whether it’s in a neighborhood or national park. The NPS is working on a strategy to improve accessibility at Devils Postpile National Monument. Photo: NPS An Accessibility and Self Evaluation and Transition Plan (SETP) has been developed by a NPS interdisciplinary team that provides recommendations to improve the accessibility at the monument. Key park experiences were identified and park areas evaluated to determine how to improve accessibility needs. The plan includes implementation strategies for improving the accessibility at key locations. The SETP is available at: https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/DEPO_SETP The monument is now working to implement short and medium term improvements and plan for long term improvements to make the special places of the monument more accessible. If you would like further information, please contact the Park Superintendent at depo_ superintendent@nps.gov. Keeping Wildlife Wild Black bears and other wildlife are frequently seen in the Reds Meadow Valley and in Devils Postpile. In order to keep these animals wild, follow these tips. Food and Scented Item Storage Hiking and Camping Safety • Proper food storage is required. “Food” is considered to be anything with an odor including used paper plates, dishes, and toiletries. Bear boxes are located in every campsite in the valley. Do not leave food in your vehicle over night. • Keep a clean and organized camp. Keep all food within reach in case a bear should wander through camp. • Backpackers must use bear resistant canisters. They are available for rent at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center and at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station. • If you see a bear, keep your distance. Back away slowly. • When hiking through areas of dense vegetation or loud water, make noise to let the bear know you are in the area. • Never approach wildlife. • Remember, we are visitors to their homes. Respect all wild animals. Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association The Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA) is a non-profit organization that provides vital services to Devils Postpile National Monument and the Inyo National Forest which may not be available through federal funding. They provide books and educational materials in their bookstore at Devils Postpile, the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center and the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center. ESIA provides a connection to the Eastern Sierra and public lands through interpretive and education opportunities. ESIA achieves its mission by operating quality bookstores and through sponsoring interpretive projects and programs. Learn more at one of eleven locations or at www.esiaonline. org. Proceeds from sales support local interpretive programs and projects. 8 Devils Postpil