Driving to the Owens Valley Lab From Bishop. The street address of the OVL is 3000 E. Line Street. From Main Street in Bishop (US 395) turn east on Line St. and drive for almost 4 miles (note that the street name changes to Poleta Rd.). Shortly after crossing the Owens River bridge the OVL will be visible on the south side of the road. (see Bishop aerial photo/map)

Distance from Bishop Station (OVL) to Crooked Creek = 55 miles: time about 1.5 hours
Distance from Bishop Station (OVL) to Barcroft = 65 miles: time about 2 hours

see directions below to get to White Mountain Road and the Upper Stations (Barcroft and Crooked Creek)

Driving to Westgard Pass and the White Mountain Road. The WMRS high-altitude facilities are located at altitudes above 10,000 feet (see area map). The road is usually cleared of snow between late June and November. Discomfort and altitude sickness can happen to anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. If you have questions or concerns about your reaction to high-altitude environments, please consult your physician before attempting to drive to Barcroft or Crooked Creek Stations. There are no services or communications facilites after leaving Big Pine. If you are a WMRS researcher, please visit or call the Owens Valley Lab to leave your travel plans before attempting to drive to Crooked Creek or Barcroft Station. Parts of the unpaved portion of the White Mountain Road are rocky and have washboards. Although WMRS recommends the use of high clearance vehicles when the road is open it can usually be negotiated without difficulty by standard passenger cars. For current information about the status of the White Mountain Road, please call Inyo National Forest at 760-873-2500.

From California: Access to the Owens Valley from both northern and southern California is via US highway 395. At the junction of highway 395 and California highway 168 at Big Pine, drive east on highway 168 into the White Mountains. About 13 miles from 395 at Westgard Pass, turn north (left) onto the White Mountain Road. The White Mountain Road is paved and its intersection with highway 168 is marked with a sign.
From Nevada:
Approach California Highway 168 from the Oasis junction at the south end of Fishlake Valley. Drive west on 168 over Gilbert Pass, through Deep Springs Valley and up Westgard Pass to the intersection of 168 with the White Mountain Road. A sign marks this intersection. Turn north on the White Mountain Road and follow the instructions below.

Driving to Upper Stations on White Mountain Road. Once on White Mountain Road, drive north for about 10 miles on pavement (see area map):
Crooked Creek Station At Schulman Grove, about 10 miles from highway 168, the pavement ends. Continue north another 9 miles until the junction with the road to Crooked Creek. This junction is marked with a sign. Turn right and drive 1 mile east on this road to the Crooked Creek station.
Driving to Barcroft Station Before leaving for Barcroft Station be sure to contact the WMRS office in Bishop to arrange to have the locked Barcroft gate (two miles south of Barcroft) opened. Follow the instructions above for driving to Crooked Creek Station. At the intersection of the White Mountain Road and the Crooked Creek road continue north on the White Mountain Road. Drive 7 miles to the locked gate. Locking the gate behind you, proceed 2 more miles to the Barcroft Station.
Driving to the Barcroft Observatory Dome This facility is only accessible by a steep rugged road, and researchers must obtain permission from station personnel before driving to the dome.
Driving to the Summit Laboratory This facility is only accessible by a steep jeep track. 4 wheel drive low gear range and high clearance is essential. Only approved research projects making use of the summit lab are allowed to use this road, and only after prior arrangement with station personnel. Note that snow usually blocks the road 1/4 mile below the summit lab.