See the Forest Service web site http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/inyo Select "Visitors Center" then "Off-Highway Vehicles". This area seems to have been largely overlooked by both ATV and dirt bike riders. Inyo National Forest has an "Open Unless Posted Closed" policy (I've never seen any road that was posted closed). Remember, this applies to DIRT ROADS ONLY, ALL TRAIL ARE CLOSED! Word is, that there is an effort underway to close many areas. While I was in the ranger station at Bishop, a dirt biker came in and asked about riding. The girl at the desk (just a clerk, not a ranger) was OPENLY HOSTILE!!! The more we get out there and use our public land, the more we establish outselves as legitimate users and a political force. Please write the district ranger, expressing you opinions.

This weekend we rode Rock Creek and Wheeler Ridge Mine Road. The scenery is spectacular!!! Rock Creek trail is easy, but has occasional rock outcropings. You will have to pick your line VERY carefully on a low slung sport bike, but the trail is a piece of cake for a 2X4 utility with high clearance. You can park near Sky Meadow Ranch and ride up Witcher Creek and Sand Canyon, then along the ridge running up the Rock Creek Valley. At the end of the road is a nice little lake where you can have lunch and rest (bring a fishing rod).

A couple of miles before the lake, is the turnoff to Wheeler Ridge (road is not marked on the F.S. map). Here you will need a utility bike (4X4 is nice). The trail is technical in some places. You ride over the ridge, and into a volcanic crater with a lake in the middle and a sand dune (you feel like you are on the Moon!!). Then continue over the next ridge, and you will get a spectacular view of the entire valley, from a vantage point of 10,000 ft. Enjoy it while you still can!!