Quad:  Mt. Thompson
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black)	2003 Inventory  (yellow)	2003 Inventory (green)	USGS 7.5 Quad	Inyo Recreation Map	None
yes			yes as trail	no

Route description: This routes wraps to the north side of Coyote Lake. Z1861 allows access to the lake from 08S19 and then proceeds to the lake.

Narrative Summary: Moderate-high use route through lodge pole pine to Coyote Lake. Passable for all vehicles this route shows full-sized, ATV, and motorbike tracks. Minimal center vegetation was observed. At Coyote Lake barriers and signs discourage motorized travel to lake (Picture 724003 and 724007). Two ATV users and one motorbike user were observed exploring the area and lawfully staying on existing routes (Picture 724001). Some old proliferation was observed  south of the lake but no recent tracks were found (Picture 724002). Outhouse facility and five established campsites were observed at the lake (Pictures 724004, 724005, and 724006). All campsites showed high use and the outhouse, despite it's somewhat dilapidated condition also showed considerable use. 

Wildlife and Vegetation: Phacelia, whorled penstemon along lake with damselflies--both species in large numbers. In the lake: pacific tree frog larvae and adults, fairy shrimp, boat swimmers, beetle larvae. 

Recommendation: This route and its accompanied barriers and signs appear to be effective management of motorized users in this area. The outhouse facility is in poor condition and doesn't appear to be effectively accommodating the needs of users. It should be repaired and maintained. 

Quad:  Mt. Thompson
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black)	2003 Inventory  (yellow)	2003 Inventory (green)	USGS 7.5 Quad	Inyo Recreation Map	None
	yes		no	no

Route description: This spur route wraps off Z1864 onto Coyote Ridge from the west.

Narrative Summary: This low-use mile-long route is difficult to find at its junction with Z1864 (Picture 724010) and becomes a little easier to see as it wraps to the southeast (Picture 724009). The route travels over a rocky alpine slope and tracks only become visible as the substrate becomes softer and vegetation higher than the typical mat type for this area. 

Wildlife and Vegetation: Sagebrush, butterballs, current, and Whitney's locoweed dominate the area. Kestrels and Clarks nutcrackers were observed overhead. 

Recommendation: This difficult-to-find route should be removed from the inventory. This route heads up over 11000 ft and on this rocky ridge it is nearly impossible to follow. Routes such as this one that are difficult to find in alpine terrain invite unintentional proliferation as motorists search for the route. 

Quad:  Mt. Thompson
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black)	2003 Inventory  (yellow)	2003 Inventory (green)	USGS 7.5 Quad	Inyo Recreation Map	None
	yes		no	no

Route description: N2194 heads south just west of Coyote Ridge extending Z1864 for another 1.5 miles towards the ridge over Green Lake.

Narrative Summary: This low-use route extends Z1864 south for 1.5 more miles (Pictures 724017). Primarily through white bark pine, this route shows old ATV tracks, exhibits one creek crossing, and shows one area for camping. The route crosses a meadow with two small creeks (Picture 724015). The southern creek had no water (Picture 724015) and the northern creek was 1.5 ft above the crossing, 11 feet at the crossing and 1.5 ft below the crossing (Picture 724016). The crossing has the potential to widen with continued use. Shooting stars, cinquefoil, and grasses were found in the meadow. 

A campsite beyond the crossing shows low use with some recent trash (Picture 724014) Beyond the campsite the use deteriorates and there is some route proliferation (Pictures 724012 and 724011). Use deteriorates as the route heads south. 

Recommendation: This route shows some potential for riparian damage, has no clear destination, and shows some proliferation. To avoid these problems, the route should be removed from the inventory. Stop signs and barriers should be placed just north of the meadow/creek crossing. 

Quad:  Mt. Thompson
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black)	2003 Inventory  (yellow)	2003 Inventory (green)	USGS 7.5 Quad	Inyo Recreation Map	None
yes			yes	no

Route description: These routes allow access to Lindner Mine and surrounding area from Z1863 (Picture 724018).

Narrative Summary: To Lindner Mine these routes show moderate use; beyond the mine site they both show low use. Motorbikes, ATVs, and full-sized vehicle tracks were found up to the mine. Lindner mine (Picture 724021) appears to be the sole point of interest on this route. North and west of the mine there is little use (Pictures 724022 and 724023). 

Wildlife and Vegetation: White bark pine, scarlet gilia, alpine aster, paintbrush, groundsel.

Recommendation: Continue current management with signs indicating stops at the ends of these route. In this alpine terrain, when routes deteriorate it is difficult to tell when they end.  

Quad:  Mt. Thompson
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black)	2003 Inventory  (yellow)	2003 Inventory (green)	USGS 7.5 Quad	Inyo Recreation Map	None
yes			yes	no

Route description: Lengthy route west of Coyote Ridge surveyed south of N2700 just east of Willow Campground.

Narrative Summary: The final section of this route receives moderate use showing full-sized and ATVs tracks (Picture 724027). The route progresses south through lodge pole pine to a vista where it abruptly ends (Pictures 724028 and 724029). 

Vegetation: phlox, sulfur buckwheat, lupine and groundsel

Recommendation: Continue current management for motorized users. 

Quad:  Mt. Thompson
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black)	2003 Inventory  (yellow)	2003 Inventory (green)	USGS 7.5 Quad	Inyo Recreation Map	None
	yes		no	no

Route description: This short spur heads west for less than 1/4 mile just south of Lindner Mine following a riparian corridor downhill.

Narrative Summary: This low use route splits from Z1863 to the west just south of Lindner Mine (Picture 724024). The route ends in a loop in a riparian section (Picture 724025). ATV tracks were found along this route as it follows an irrigation facility presumably for the mining site/camp site picture in 724026.  

Vegetation: Annual riparian vegetation up to 2' in center. Lodge pole pine community. 

Recommendation: Route gives access to mining site but receives low use. Continue current management for motorized use. 

Quad:  Mt. Thompson
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black)	2003 Inventory  (yellow)	2003 Inventory (green)	USGS 7.5 Quad	Inyo Recreation Map	None
yes			yes	yes

Route description: Route follows the west fork of Coyote Creek between Coyote Lake and 1 mile west of  the confluence of the east and west forks of Coyote Creek.

Narrative Summary: This high-use route acts as the primary access route to Coyote Lake. Full-sized, motorbike and ATV tracks were noted along this route through sagebrush and lodge pole pine. Some ephemeral gullying was notes (Picture 724031) in the upper reaches of this route. The route follows the west fork of Coyote Creek (Picture 724032) and crosses the creek in an unstable, low angle crossing (Picture 724035). The route crosses two channels of the creek and captures the creek for 93'. There is no emergent riparian vegetation in the crossing and aquatic insects were found in the capture. Both tracks show flowing water and both channels are approximately 2' above and below the crossing. 

Several campsites were found along the route and creek (Pictures 724033 and 724034). The site pictured in 724033 shows two rings, exhibits moderate use, and is approximately 60' from water. In picture 724034 there are three rings right along the road and these receive high use. 

Recommendation: This route is the main access to Coyote Lake and and points east. Z1858 offers an alternative route to the north and has no unstable creek crossings. Though Z1858 could be a viable alterative, the route is low use and would need to be signed and established to avoid proliferation.