Bridges at Owens River Gorge

I want to spend some extended time there this winter/early spring. I saw something posted about the bridges to cross the stream have been taken down. Is this still true for the area? Has access fund/locals worked it out with LADWP? It's been a while since I've been there. If this is true, what specific areas are not accessible right now?

At this time, nothing has happened with replacing the bridges, but most of the walls can be approached with some careful use of logs spanning the river.  Big Tower/Pink Wall requires a kind of spooky jump from rock to rock, which will put off a lot of folks.  The Diamond Area can be approached by hiking up stream a bit and crossing either just below or directly across from Blocky Top.  These are EXCELLENT log crossings.  Just hike back down stream to get to the Diamond cliffs.  Warning Signs is a bit funkier, but pretty solid.   Banana Belt is currently a hop to some rocks then a bouncy couple of steps on some rotting boards.  It might be a good idea to bring sandals to wade the river there if the "bridge" is gone.  I think the Upper Gorge is overall pretty good.  If you have a dog, some of these crossings could be sketchy.  We have a 30 lb. cattle dog, and I sling him to me for getting across to Warning Signs and Blocky Top.  Some folks are comfortable just letting their dogs go for it.  Be warned that climbers have lost dogs to the river from time to time.

Yup^^^ as described.  Everything is accessible- just a bit tricky with a couple of areas.  Big Tower has a long pole wedged across- it’s a little freaky to walk across but people have been using it. .  Also: To get to the Central/ Inner area ( China Wall) there is a live log crossing if you walk upstream and cut down at the old power plant. Rumor has it that  Megalithic Area got a new log this week too .  

So LA water isn't doing anything to these logs? Are these log crossing just "debri" to happened to have fallen in the right spots 

No, the logs are fair game for climbers to cross.  Just hike around and see what you're comfortable with.

better to watch "The Bridges of Madison County"  from the coach than risking life at "Bridges at Owens River Gorge"

MisterE Wolfe wrote: Diamondback Xing is still OK, but the log is now wet ; use caution or cross at Blocky Top (which is high enough to not be effected). 

A couple days ago, Diamondback was wet and covered with ice; definitely recommend going the extra distance to Blocky Top, at least in the morning.

Does anyone know how deep the water is now?  I'm surprised that the Access Fund has not stepped in to help after all these years?  Does anyone know if the Access Fund is actually  working on this?

The Bishop Area Climbers Coalition and the Access Fund are working side-by-side on this. For more information, visit: https://bishopclimbers.org/owensrivergorge. Also feel free to sign up for the BACC's email newsletter, and follow our social media channels for the latest news. 

The Gorge is running at 85 cfs right now, similar to where it’s been for the past several weeks. 

I’m considering climbing here in late December. How are the river crossings these days?

Generally ok, but I think the upper gorge is a bit washed out.  I haven't been up there since the big flush months ago. 

 Upper Gorge crossings are now do-able. All the Lower Gorge areas have been accessible this past month too. 

Thanks to the BACC and the Access Fund for working to restore the bridges in the Gorge. 

Uh, wasn't those groups.  Just dedicated locals getting it done. 

... some of them could be a little more stable.

Access Fund unfortunately won't provide psychiatric care for water- soaked logs.  

There has been no official change to DWP's position since this post: https://bishopclimbers.org/owensrivergorge/statement

It is probably best for ongoing discussions with DWP to not discuss possible manmade water crossings in the gorge.