News

Effective February 1, 2018, the location for the Carson City stop for ESTA’s 395 north route from Lone Pine to Reno will move to the JAC stop at Hot Springs and Retail by the Walmart.  This route will no longer stop at The Nugget in Carson City after January 31st.  

Visitors can take steps to avoid crowds and queues

The Inyo National Forest and the Devils Postpile National Monument anticipate a busy holiday weekend. Like many parks and forests, Inyo National Forest and Devils Postpile are seeing high visitation this year. Here are some helpful tips for people planning to visit the Reds Meadow Valley and Devils Postpile over the Labor Day weekend.

The mandatory shuttle system manages the limited parking available as well as the high visitation along this narrow road into this special valley.

• Pick up the shuttle from the Village at Mammoth or park at the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and purchase your shuttle passes at the Main Lodge Gondola Building (Adventure Center).
• The bus ride takes approximately 30-40 minutes each way. Most visitors should allow a half-day or even a full day to enjoy and explore Devils Postpile, Rainbow Falls, and the lakes. Sturdy walking or hiking shoes, water, sun screen, snacks, and proper clothing layers are a must.
• Labor Day weekend will be crowded with more difficult parking at the Main Lodge and longer queues and wait times at bus stops. To have a better visit, plan to come early in the morning and allow enough time in your day to visit these locations and plan waits at the stops into your schedule.
• Sunday is typically the busiest day. Try to plan your trip for alternative days and times if you want to have a quieter experience. Alternatively, if your itinerary only allows travel on the weekend, particularly Sunday, plan on queues, pack your patience, and remember that you are in the magical Reds Meadow Valley.

Visitors can take some additional precautions for a safe and enjoyable experience. Although the day may be hot, the lake and river waters can be very cold and dangerous for swimming.

As of Friday, July 21^{st t}he Reds Meadow shuttle has commenced operation for the 2017 season .  The shuttle operates from 7:30am until 7:00pm, with the last departure from Reds Meadow Resort at 7:45pm, and will operate seven days/week through September 6^th.  Further information click here, or call 760.924.3184.

ESTA is soliciting passenger feedback through an on-line survey of transit service in Mammoth Lakes.  Please click here to take the survey.

Based upon very low ridership the past four months, Eastern Sierra Transit is proposing that this service be discontinued effective June 24, 2017.  Public comment regarding this proposed service modification will be accepted through June 9, 2017.  Comment can be submitted via U.S. mail to Eastern Sierra Transit, P.O. Box 1357, Bishop CA, 93515, via email to info@estransit.com, or delivered in person to ESTA’s office at 210 Commerce Drive in Mammoth Lakes.

The Bishop Creek Shuttle is scheduled to commence service on June 17th and will operate 7 days/week through August 20th, then weekends through October 15th.  The Shuttle will depart Bishop at 8:00am and 3:15pm then will travel to South Lake and Lake Sabrina before returning to Bishop.  The Shuttle will stop for passengers along the route anywhere that it is safe for the bus to stop.  The one-way adult fare is $5.00 ($2.50 for seniors, youth, and disabled).  Click here for additional details.

Note:  Commencement of the Bishop Creek Shuttle is dependent upon opening of the road to South Lake and to Lake Sabrina.  Schedules are subject to change or cancellation.

Effective Monday, April 24^th, the spring transit services changes will commence with the following modifications:

• Red Line is discontinued for the season
• The Town Trolley route will expand its hours to operate from 7:00am until 10:00pm on a 30-minute frequency
• A Main Lodge Shuttle will commence operation providing 30-minute frequency service to Main Lodge. This shuttle will depart The Village stop #90 (bottom of the Westin steps) at :50 and :20 minutes past the hour beginning at 7:20am.  Last departure from the Village is 3:50pm, last departure from Main Lodge is 4:05pm.

Click on the route names above to view complete schedule information.