June Lake, CA – Count this one as a victory for the backcountry crowd.
After the owners of Mammoth Mountain decided to shutter June Mountain Ski Area last summer, many backcountry skiers were angered and frustrated to find the land posted this winter. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (MMSA) have now finalized an operating plan for June Mountain that guides management of the area for the remainder of the winter season and restores backcountry access while the resort is in a non-operational status.
“The plan considers many complicated factors regarding public access, administrative access to facilities and communication sites, avalanche control, ski patrol duties, and – most importantly –safety concerns,” writes Marty Hornick, Acting Public Affairs Officer for the Inyo National Forest.
While the lift-served ski area is not open, the underlying National Forest land upon which June Mountain Ski Area exists under a Special Use Permit will generally remain accessible to the public for backcountry skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing. Under the plan, ski patrollers are authorized to prohibit access to the area during avalanche control activities. The ski area remains prohibited to entry by snowmobiles and other motorized use by an existing Forest Order, except by special use authorization.
“It is important that anyone who travels in the June Mountain area treats this as the backcountry environment that it is,” District Ranger Jon Regelbrugge said. “Avalanche control activities will be very limited. Dangerous avalanches can and likely will happen in areas normally controlled were the mountain operating.”
Other potential dangers include unmarked obstacles, JMSA snowmobiles and equipment, ungroomed slopes, and avalanche control work. Ski patrol will not be conducting normal patrols in the area.
“Public cooperation with restrictions and safety considerations is critical to ensuring the safety of the public and the employees involved in avalanche control efforts,” Hornick continued. “Those failing to comply with posted avalanche control or other regulations are subject to citation.”
Winter backcountry enthusiasts will be able to travel in and through the June Mountain area, and to access adjacent backcountry areas this winter. The most recent avalanche advisory for the area is available online at www.esavalanche.org or by calling (760) 924-5510. A phone number with recorded avalanche closure information for June Mountain will be made available soon as part of the newly approved plan.