Mammoth area trails??

[lukewiens]

I plan on hitting Mammoth a couple of times this season...and this time I am dragging some of those super fit XC guys with me. First off...we plan on taking full advantage of the lifts out there.

Curious though if anyone has any experience with XC trails around the Mammoth area? Also, I think it would be fun to climb the backside to descend Skid marks....that should keep those boys happy! But are those trails designated one way traffic??

Also, has anyone found resources, maps, etc. of anything around town or riding distance in the area? I would like to set up some good climbs in the morning before hitting the lifts in the afternoon.

Thanks!

[schleppp]

Ahhh yeah! Count me out on that idea Ghost Rider! I can't climb at sea level, much less 10,000 ft. I will be fully lift assisted. But you can tell me all about your climbing on the way up the chair lift!

[bigringrider101]

I'll be there in a couple of weeks.
We always ride Lower rock creek, when we're there.

[mytrustysteed]

Climb from Eagle lodge (formally known as chairs 15 and 24) past chair 9, up skid marks , around Dave's run to the top gondola station and back down again.

Or, go down to Paradise and climb Rock Creek trail and back down again.

[stinkyrider]

If you are a glutton for punishment and you wanna climb to the top, I would recommend beach cruiser to Kamikaze to the top, then down skidmarks to whichever trail of your choice. If you want more of a single track climb, you could try "Off the Top".

The trick is to start at some ungodly hour and try to it make it to the top before the gondola opens at 9:00 AM. IF not, you will likely be trucked by a DH'er bombing down the kamikaze at 60+ mph.

[schleppp]

Originally Posted by stinkyrider

you will likely be trucked by a DH'er bombing down the kamikaze at 60+ mph.

Well Luke, I had all but changed my mind and was pumped to ride to the top with you. No really! I was! But we must remember, safety first! I don't want to get run over, so I guess I am still out on the climbing thing.

[jfsh]

There are some rides but not a lot of good singletrack that is not on the mountain. Most of the trails around Mammoth are in wilderness. There is a guide book of the area. It was written by some friends of mine.


I think you can find a copy of it in town somewhere. There are many rides listed. Looks like there are plenty of high elevation, fire road, beat yourself down climbs that you are looking for. I admit I have not done many of these rides. I hope this helps.

[EMrider]

Originally Posted by jfsh

There are some rides but not a lot of good singletrack that is not on the mountain. Most of the trails around Mammoth are in wilderness. There is a guide book of the area. It was written by some friends of mine.


I think you can find a copy of it in town somewhere. There are many rides listed. Looks like there are plenty of high elevation, fire road, beat yourself down climbs that you are looking for. I admit I have not done many of these rides. I hope this helps.

This book is an excellent resource for MTB riding, both in the bike park and around town.

IMHO, best singletrack outside of the park is as follows:

Lower rock creek
Uptown/downtown trails
Mammoth rock trail
Panorama dome trails
Inyo crater ST
Trail to top of Minaret vista (can't recall name)

Enjoy
R

[luna]

I just remember one year while trail riding on the mx bike many years back. We rode this sweet trail & at the top it said"Enjoy a Non motorized vehicles trail" Oops.

I'll be there for a week starting om the 27th, I'll be doing the DH,XC & a little MX too. I can't wait

[GP_pilot]

Do realize there's a difference of "super fit" at sea level vs. 10,000'.

Rock Creek is halfway between Bishop and Mammoth. It's a good climb up & the run back down, keeping you occupied for 3-4 hrs.

At Mammoth I would not suggest climbing Off the Top unless you enjoy spinning in soft, crushed pumice that isn't much different from Socal descomposed granite & sand. If you want the longest XC route then suggest the following:

Uptown
Beach Cruiser (up)
Bearing Strait (It's marked one way, but gets no traffic and think can be climbed)
Gravy Train
Kamikaze (to top)
Off the Top
Beach Cruiser
Mountain View
Beach Cruiser
Downtown
Paper Route 1 (full loop, then Downtown)
Paper Route 2 (3/4 loop, then Big Ring)
Paper Route 3 (1/2 loop, then Juniper, short road climb to Village from Eagle Lodge)

If you've got energy left, enjoy the rest of the mountain.

[Pain Freak]

I was told the ride around the side to Twin Lakes was a good xc ride. Still a little gravity assisted but you can still get you climb on.

[1080P]

Just my opinion, but I'd think on the bike park portion, where people have paid good money to ride lift assisted trails, you'd definitely be going against the grain if you do it (climbing) when the shuttle and gondola are running, and pissing a lot of riders off. Paying $40 for a lift ticket tends to get people riled up about getting their moneys worth on lift assisted runs during open business hours. Off hours are a different story.

Go for it, look at it as an expereiment, and let us know what you find.

[Adi]

I use to ride to the top. Heading quarter way up Uptown to the fault on the other side (north) of the 203, behind the main lodge towards Minaret lookout point (all this is nice single track with almost no bike traffic...did come across a bear once). Then cross the 203 from there to around the back of Mammoth and up...never bought a ticket. Just rolled the dice over the years. But I heard they are cracking down, so last year I bought one. Especially with me always coming down one of the trails on the front, didn't want to take a chance anymore. But I always got a lot of nasty comments when riding to the top from all the tourists on their big ol rented DH bikes. God forbid if they actually tried to pedal up, from the looks of it....most of them could use some exercise. Even though it was a two way trail, they thought I was going the wrong way, etc. Most of the true (fast) DH riders aren't going down the back side. Slower newby tourists are, but most likely out of control....LOL So just as much of a hazard.

Their is a really cool XC ride that starts between Tom's Place and Crowley Lake, right off the 395. Heard good things. I have been meaning to do it every year, just never happens. It's supposed to be quite good, good distance, elevation change, good views, and mostly single track. I am sure if you ask in town, someone could direct you to it.

[Lone ranger]

There is also a short ride with a climb if I rember correctly that starts up by Rock Creek lake that with a little road work can connect to Lower Rock Creek trail ,which is one of the best trails up there.Also at the end is a great plce to eat in Paradise.

[photoop]

You folks are missing about the best FREEEEEE trail at MAmmoth.
It starts at the Minaret Vista parking lot.
You can climb up to deadmans or back town.. It's a great ride.

[lukewiens]

fyi...we will not be climbing during the lift hours....likely early in the morning. i like to keep the dh boys on my side.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by lukewiens

fyi...we will not be climbing during the lift hours....likely early in the morning. i like to keep the dh boys on my side.

As I remember as you climb up Uptown trail and come to the bike park property it states you need a pass to continue riding. The lift ticket is not just a lift ticket and shuttle buss pass but also permission to use the trails within the bike park. As I remember, at that sign you can go left and ride the out of the bike park trails that head over to Lake Trails and Ridge Trail.

Dean

[stinkyrider]

Originally Posted by dstepper

As I remember as you climb up Uptown trail and come to the bike park property it states you need a pass to continue riding. The lift ticket is not just a lift ticket and shuttle buss pass but also permission to use the trails within the bike park. As I remember, at that sign you can go left and ride the out of the bike park trails that head over to Lake Trails and Ridge Trail.

Dean

http://www.mammothmountain.com/bike_...tals/index.cfm
$10 for a 1-day pedal pass. Gives you trail access without shuttle and gondola.

I would suggest picking up an old lift ticket off the ground or from the trashcan and use one of the blue zip-tie things to to attach it to your handlebars so it looks like you paid for full access since they will never scan your lift ticket or even look at it closely if you just climbing, but that would be wrong.

[Nagaredama]

Originally Posted by GP_pilot

Uptown
Beach Cruiser (up)
Bearing Strait (It's marked one way, but gets no traffic and think can be climbed)
Gravy Train
Kamikaze (to top)
Off the Top
Beach Cruiser
Mountain View
Beach Cruiser
Downtown
Paper Route 1 (full loop, then Downtown)
Paper Route 2 (3/4 loop, then Big Ring)
Paper Route 3 (1/2 loop, then Juniper, short road climb to Village from Eagle Lodge)

If you've got energy left, enjoy the rest of the mountain.

Ouch! What is the mileage and elevation gain on that?

[Mdm. Dabalot]

Take uptown until you see the substation accross the paved road on your right. Follow the dirt road to the Mountainview trail and climb that to Minneret Summit. Hang a right in the parking lot and climb up to Deadmans Summit. All out of the park, very little bike traffic, great workout, great views and fun going home! Definately a XC ride.