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Bishop Bouldering Access and Road Conditions For Fall 2023 Season?
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Road access to the Buttermilks and Tablelands got pretty messed up in the March 2023 storms, and many climbers avoided the area during the spring season to give time for repairs, and not crowd the limited parking/access. With the fall/winter season now approaching, climbers are likely starting to plan bouldering trips to the area again. What are the current road conditions for accessing the Buttermilks and Tablelands, and/or expected conditions this fall? Is the damage from March all repaired now, or are there ongoing access limitations? Was there any new damage to these roads from the Tropical Storm Hilary precip? What sort of conditions is Buttermilk Road in now - back to being drivable in a normal passenger car? I figure this is useful information for various people who may be planning trips for the fall. Note: Ignoring the current 395 repairs from Hilary. Assuming those will be generally resolved by the fall, or at least reasonable passable. Question relates more to the dirt roads proximal to the bouldering areas. |
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Buttermilk is open but pretty chewed up still. Id recommend 4x4 with high clearance. Chalk bluff is closed for the foreseeable future |
Sean Marsh wrote: So, no major changes since the spring, it sounds like? Is Tablelands access still walk-in? Any prognostications on whether Chalk Bluff would open this winter? |
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Yes you can walk into the tablelands from the backside and no chalk bluff wont open this winter. i'll update this thread when it does |
Sean Marsh wrote: Top access to the Sads still doable? That could get messy if too many people try to do that, though. |
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Am I misreading this pdf from Inyo County Roads? |
Mark E Dixon wrote: Lol I was just about to post the same link right now. For those not clicking through to the link, Inyo County Road Dept report (updated 8/24) says Chalk Bluff road open, Buttermilk Road closed. Accurate?? There's also this map, which complicates the story somewhat. Looks like Chalk Bluff Road itself is open, but the roads to get to it from either side are closed. |
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The Inyo Road Department link has been reliable all summer, and updated frequently. The Buttermilk road is in bad shape, but it is passable. Could a Subaru make it? Probably, but can and should are different questions. 4x4 is highly recommended by me, not the road department. They would recommend you go somewhere else. There are numerous three foot deep trenches to avoid, not hard to do, but treacherous. The road gets worse by the week. It's rained a lot recently, and then there was a hurricane. The sand is washing out and leaving the rocks. The springs that were flowing out of the road seem to be drying up as the water table drops, but the road had many small creeks flowing out of it until recently. Tacomas and trucks are the way right now. Could be busy on the tablelands this fall. |
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if the pdf says buttermilk is closed i would assume it got worse after the hurricane and was closed. Chalk bluff should still be closed but i'll drive by later and check |
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I was able to make it to buttermilk boulders just fine in may with an outback. Have the conditions change drastically since then? |
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Just got back. Chalk Bluff is good to go. Buttermilk road is worse than May, but it's better than two weeks ago. A lot of people have been driving it. Very cobbly fromt the corral up. |
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Anyone know about catacombs access? |
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@Brad Two weeks ago both sides of catacombs access was too washed out to make in a Subaru. A jeep or similar probably could work it’s way through though. |
Justin Merrill wrote: Thanks. I tried going in my jeep in the spring but was alone so didn’t want to risk getting stuck. Saw some ticks on the classics recently so was hoping it was fixed. |
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Buttermilk Road is open now. https://www.instagram.com/p/CyOZzgkx0E8/ bishopclimbingrangers We’re back! The crisp fall days ahead are sure to bring many amazing days of climbing to the Bishop area! We will soon be kicking off the 23/24 climbing season with our regularly scheduled conditions reports, climber coffee, and stewardship events. We look forward to a great season and seeing everyone once again on our patrols! Here’s some quick updates we’d like to share: Buttermilks: Buttermilk Road is now open! The road to the main bouldering area is open to traffic and passable but the road to the Get Carter and the Pollen Grain areas is still a bit rough. 4x4 and good clearance is still needed to access the parking for these areas. Road crews are still about working to improve the road so please do your part to park out of their way. The pit toilet at the parking area is currently closed. It is best to pack in a wag bag as the surrounding area and watershed have suffered in the past from excessive human waste. You can pick some up at the White Mountain Ranger Station or at some of the local shops in town. Tablelands: Chalk Bluff Road is open and the Happy and Sad Boulders are accessible. Many of the roads in the tablelands, notably Casa Diablo Rd, currently have a few deep, sandy sections that have trapped a few unsuspecting vehicles. Be mindful of these and turn around before potentially getting your vehicle stuck. Please do not drive off designated roads to bypass any obstacles you may encounter. Pine Creek: Pine Creek has already seen its first snow of the season! We regularly see increased rockfall after snowmelt and rain events so it is always a good idea to wear a helmet while in the area. Owen’s River Gorge: After a record smashing snowpack this past winter, the Owens River experienced high spring flows that raged through the valley. Take extra care crossing the river to access your favorite climbs as things have shifted around quite a bit along the riverbanks. |
