ROAD REPAIR UPDATE

The Northeast Road between Lamar Canyon and Silver Gate will open, as promised, on October 15. Two sections will be one-way only, served by timed traffic lights, with the longest wait at five minutes. Some construction may continue for a few weeks past that date. Visitors are asked to be patient and courteous.

Unfortunately, the new road from Gardiner to Mammoth will not be ready then, so its opening date will be delayed until November 1. Many guardrails have not yet been delivered, and the final section of road, where it ends at Mammoth is not quite finished. When the Park began allowing one-way access back in July, it became clear that the final steep descent behind the Hotel was just not workable. A new end point had to be designed and built, creating a much gentler curve with modern reinforcing, ending in a less congested area opposite the post office.

I believe it’s totally worth the extra days to safely complete.

The Park also announced an accommodation for locals. As of October 15, residents of Silver Gate, Gardiner and Cooke may drive the Gardiner to Mammoth road during the one-way access windows. This is a relief to many of my dear friends.

I am so eager to see the Lamar again, I am willing to drive the long way through West once more.

I start packing for a quick visit to celebrate.