Quads:  Big Pine & Coyote Flat 
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	yes as trail

Route description: Route starts near pole lines northeast of Big Pine and head to the mouth of Shannon Canyon before traveling south towards piper peak. (Surveyed near junctions only.)

Narrative Summary: For the first 1.5 miles from the junction with county road north of Big Pine, (Picture 801001), this route is a high-use, sandy, 2-track (Picture 801003). Motorbike, ATV, full-sized vehicles tracks were found over this section. South of the junction with Z1873 at the mouth of Shannon Canyon (Picture 801013) this route goes to a poorly-defined, low-use, narrow trail (Picture 801015). On this southern section stock tracks were found. Fencing was located approximately 1/4 mile south of junction with Z1873 along with a coral structure (Picture 801014). Route begins in low-land scrub and sage and bitterbrush become dominant as the route climbs south. At its southern junction, the route could not be found (Picture 726028).

Recommendation: The first 1.5 miles of this route from its north junction is very different from the route south of junction with Z1873 (Picture 801014). For inventory purposes, these should be referred to as different routes. The first section is the only access to Shannon Canyon and current management should continue. South of the junction with Z1873, the route is poorly defined and may in fact disappear as it heads south. Further research should be done to determine if this very narrow trail exists in its entirety before being added to the inventory. 

Quads:  Big Pine
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: 1/4 mile spur south off 3321SD, the main route into Shannon Canyon. 

Narrative Summary: Moderate-high use route through sandy lowland scrub. Route leaves 3321SD (Picture 801004) and heads through low shrubs to a dilapidated structure just south of a riparian wash (Picture 801006). Beyond the end of the route is some proliferation towards the riparian section. A low-use fire ring is located 1/10 mile north of the end of the route (Picture 801006). Generally, route has 1' high perennial shrubs in the center and shows use by motorbike, ATV and full-sized vehicles.  

Recommendation: This route does no significant damage, however there is potential route proliferation into the riparian wash just to the south. Route should be signed at end to avoid proliferation. 

Quads:  Big Pine & Coyote Flat 
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: 2/3 mile spur south off 3321SD, the main route into Shannon Canyon. 

Narrative Summary: Moderate-use route through sage heading south off 3321SD (Picture 801008). Route stock and full-sized vehicle tracks and minimal center vegetation. This route crosses a wash that appear to be eroding the route (Picture 801009). South of the wash the route deteriorates and become sandy and sloped (Pictures 801010 & 801011). Some proliferation of tracks was found in an adjacent wash (Picture 801012)

Recommendation: This route does no significant damage and has no clear destination. It's unclear purpose and the presence of proliferation indicate that this route might tempt further proliferation in the area. Area should be restored to natural condition. 

Quads:  Big Pine & Coyote Flat 
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*	yes as trail

*Route shown only to Shannon Mine at confluence of Middle and South Forks of Shannon Canyon. 

Route description: Route extends Z1873 into Shannon Canyon for 1.3 miles and continues 1/4 mile south of mine prospect at confluence of the Middle and South Forks of  Shannon Canyon. 

Narrative Summary: This low-moderate route continues farther south from the once-gated end of Z1873 into Shannon Canyon (Picture 801018). Horse and cattle tracks were the only tracks found in this canyon. A few hundred yards past the end of Z1873 the route and creek join (Picture 801019). The route and the creek continue in the same space for at least 1/3 mile up the canyon. Just south of the downstream end of the capture, there is a broken fence across the canyon (Picture 801020). South of the fence the route and creek continue through this riparian corridor with riparian vegetation cut back to allow access in many sections (Pictures 801021, 801022, 801023, 801024, 801025). Evidence of recent cattle is found along this section (Picture 801023). Extensive riparian vegetation was found including: cottonwood, willow, rose, yellow monkey flower, scarlet monkey flower, and rushes. Wildlife seen includes: turkey vultures, ravens, sparrows, accipiter hawk, hummingbirds, butterflies (Lorquin's admirals, common buckeye, monarchs, western tiger swallowtail, and Becker's white). Route leaves south fork creek at picture 801026 yet vegetation continues to be cut as route remains in the thick riparian corridor (Picture 801027). Several hundred yards south of the point where the route leaves the South Fork of Shannon Creek it is found capturing the Middle Fork (Picture 801028). This smaller capture lasts for just under 1/4 mile and has a similar riparian vegetation complement including willow, cottonwood, rose, etc. (Picture 801029). The upstream end of the capture (Picture 801030) lies just 1/8 mile from the junction with N2205 (Picture 801031). From this junction, a short route heads to an open mine shaft (route Z1874, Pictures 801032 and 801033). Beyond the mine shaft the route deteriorates into several cattle trails up the south fork of Shannon Canyon (Picture 801034). 

Recommendation: This low-moderate use area should be restored to its natural condition absent of motorized and stock traffic. Cutting of riparian vegetation should cease. With two extensive stream captures and alteration of riparian vegetation, this route shows significant impact in a a vital riparian corridor. If access to Shannon Mine is deemed important to users, 3321SD could be developed into a 2-track and a route could extend down into the canyon at the mine site. 

Quads:  Coyote Flat 
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: 2/3 mile spur up the middle fork of Shannon Canyon 

Narrative Summary: This low-use route extends southwest up the Middle Fork of Shannon Canyon beyond Shannon Mine (Picture 801031). The route heads up the canyon in open sagebrush with 2' center vegetation and no recent tracks (Pictures 801035 and 801036).  

Recommendation: This route shows no significant damage though was not surveyed over the last 1/3 mile. Nevertheless, the route N2204 which allows access to this route does show impact to a riparian corridor and should be restored. Consequently, this route should be restored to natural conditions as well.