Good Times! @ Mammoth Mountain Bike Park - Independence Day 2013

Discussion in 'Ride Reports' started by trailninja, Jul 13, 2013.

  1. trailninja

    trailninja Going Slideways!!!!

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quality Engineer
    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Mammoth Bike Park (It’s Good for You!)

    History -

    Mammoth Mountain is a lava dome complex west of the town of Mammoth lakes California in the Inyo National Forest of Madera County and Mono County. It is home to a large ski area on the Mono County side.
    Mammoth Mountain was formed in a series of eruptions that ended 57,000 years ago. However, Mammoth still produces hazardous volcanic gases that kill trees and caused ski patroller fatalities in 2006. (The next time this happens make sure to invest in property in the area) :)

    Mammoth Mountain is home to the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, the highest ski resort in California. Mammoth is notable for the unusually large amount of snowfall it receives compared to other Eastern Sierra peaks—about 400" annually—due to its location in a low gap in the Sierra crest. In the summer months the ski gondolas are used by mountain bikers and tourists who wish to get a summit view of Long Valley Caldera directly to the east and Sierra peaks to the west, south and north.

    Mammoth Mountain is a lave dome complex. It lies in the southwestern corner of the Long Valley Caldera and consists of about 12 rhyodacite and dacite overlapping domes. These domes formed in a long series of eruptions from 110,000 to 57,000 years ago, building a volcano that reaches 11,059 feet (3,371 m) in elevation. During this time, massive dacite eruptions occurred roughly every 5000 years. The volcano is still active with minor eruptions, the largest of which was a minor steam eruption some 700 years ago.

    Mammoth Mountain also lies on the South end of the Mon Inyo chain of volcanic craters. The magma source for Mammoth Mountain is distinct from both the Long Valley Caldera and the Inyo Craters.
    Mammoth Mountain is composed primarily of dacite and rhyolite some of which have been altered by hydrothermal activity from steam vents.

    Day 1 -
    Last weekend me and some buds escaped the good life in Orange County to rip the trails at Mammoth Mountain Bike Park. Jake and I (Tom) packed up our gear and left OC bright and early to meet up with Dave and Robert who were already in Mammoth. This was my first visit to the bike park and it will definitely not be my last. Having been spoiled by the easy access to the beautiful trails here in So Cal I never thought that driving 4 hours just to shuttle up Mammoth Mountain in full body armor with our AM bikes would be so fun. Boy was it ever! We arrived in the Mammoth the same day on July 4[SUP]th[/SUP] and made a quick pit stop at the shooting range for some fun. Shortly after shooting a few rounds (Shotgun/Sig) we were anxious to get to the campsite to unpack our gear. We then left the campsite to pick up our 2 day pass in advance at the Mammoth Adventure Store located in the village in order to get a jump start on the runs for the next day.

    Mammoth Epic #47 7-13.jpg
    Jake breaking in the new toy (Sig)!

    Mammoth Epic #48 7-13.jpg
    NObama please!

    Day 2/3 -
    The next day we met up with Dave and Robert at the bike park and began what turned out to be one of the most memorable riding experiences ever! We didn’t bring DH rigs (overkill) but we made sure to gear up with body armor and full face helmets for protection. As a recommendation for those of you who have never visited the bike park a Full Face helmet is highly recommended. Wearing a FF not only protects your skull from potential injury during crashes but saves your face from the elements (Sun/Wind) high up in the mountain. A cross country helmet on multiple runs down the mountain is just not enough protection also wearing a FF somehow gave me the extra confidence I needed to let it all out on the trails.

    During the 2 days at the bike park we made over 20 runs down the mountain exploring almost every trail that was open. Dave was gracious enough to guide us down some of the most challenging runs the park had to offer. Super thanks Dave! We ripped Skidmarks, Brake Through, Follow Me, Bridge the Gap, Lower Skidmarks, Flow, Pipeline, Ricochet, Seven Bridges, Velocity, Gravy Train, Recoil, Off the Top, Shock Treatment, Beach Cruiser, Twilight Zone and Shotgun to name a few. I’m sorry to say this but Mountain High at its current state (3/4 runs) cannot compare to runs at Mammoth and probably never will. Riding in the Sierras is just pure bliss a mountain bikers dream it truly is a one of kind experience. Mammoth will now be on my annual to do list and should be for any avid mountain biker like me.

    We were truly spoiled by the good service by the folks at Mammoth who were always so friendly to us. The employees took very good care of our bikes and were a pleasure to deal with. The lines were not too bad for such a popular vacation spot. There were plenty of shuttle buses and vans running the line to take us up to the Gondolas. If you haven’t had a chance to check this place out you better plan to soon it’s good for you!

    Check out the photos of our trip! The GoPro vid is currently in development and follow soon. Happy trails!

    Mammoth Epic #53 7-13.jpg
    Day 1 - Road trip to Mammoth. Thanks Jake!

    Mammoth Epic #39 (Jake B&W) 7-13.jpg
    Day 1 - Jake contemplating at Lower Mammoth Rock Trail.


    Mammoth Epic #36 (Tom) 7-13.jpg
    Day 1 - Me celebrating our first trail ride of the day.

    Mammoth Epic #35 7-13.jpg
    Day 1 - Gaia at her best!

    Mammoth Epic #45 7-13.jpg
    Day 1 - Mammoth Rock Trail...Christmas trees everywhere!

    Mammoth Epic #32 (Tom) 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - Geared up and ready for action!

    Mammoth Epic #30 (Robert) 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - Robert riding the stairs like a mad man!

    Mammoth Epic #27 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - Eastern Sierras...one of the many reasons why mountain biking is so wonderful!

    Mammoth Epic #18 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - The skyline on top of Mammoth was just spectacular!

    Mammoth Epic #24 (Jake) 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - Jake posing for Pinkbike!

    Mammoth Epic #20 (Tom) 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - Me posing for STR!

    Mammoth Epic #12 (Jake & Robert) 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - The guys taking a photo op overlooking Mammoth lake!

    Mammoth Epic #15 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - Scoping out a drop right before Jake cleaning it! Good job Jake!

    Mammoth Epic #16 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - Mammoth trails for days!

    Mammoth Epic #17 7-13.jpg
    Day 2 - The Nomad at rest!

    Mammoth (Robert & Tom) 7-13.jpg
    Day 3 - Robert and I posing with the Remedys!

    Mammoth Epic #4 (Dave) 7-13.jpg
    Day 3 - Dave posing with the Nomad!

    Mammoth Epic #2 7-13.jpg
    Day 3 - Me wishing the day would never end! (My Favorite!)

    I finally made some time to process the GoPro footage of the ride. The angle of the chest mount could've been better....next time I plan to wear the mount in reverse for a better angle. :) Cheers!

    <strong>[video=youtube_share;pxc6BKN8-hE]http://youtu.be/pxc6BKN8-hE[/video]
     
  2. WC-Rider

    WC-Rider New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2012
    Messages:
    601
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Hawthorne, Ca
    Awesome pictures..... looks like a fun day
     
  3. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2008
    Messages:
    4,754
    Likes Received:
    72
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    EdgeUCater
    Location:
    Laguna Beach
    So what trails did you ride and which were your favorites?
     
  4. Kriller134

    Kriller134 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2012
    Messages:
    995
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    orange, ca
    that drop looks like the top of flow? if it is, it's pretty narrow. i picked a bad line last season and went otb but cleaned it the second day.
     
  5. trailninja

    trailninja Going Slideways!!!!

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quality Engineer
    Location:
    Orange County CA
    My favs were pipeline, twilight, ricochet, brake through, skidmarks, off the top and flow. I had the most fun riding flow, twilight and pipeline because of the features (ramps, pavers and jumps). We're excited about going back again very soon.

    Haha you are correct it's the start of flow. I have a vid of Jake eating it the first try he cleaned it on his second attempt. The best line is straight thru the middle with your eyes closed!
     
  6. Kriller134

    Kriller134 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2012
    Messages:
    995
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    orange, ca
    Did you hit the flow drop?
     
  7. ridinrox

    ridinrox Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2011
    Messages:
    2,054
    Likes Received:
    67
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Occupation:
    Realtor/Full Realty
    Location:
    Murrieta
    Thanks for the inspirational and educating RR!! Great pics!!
     
  8. trailninja

    trailninja Going Slideways!!!!

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quality Engineer
    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Nope Jake was the only one out of all of us with the quevos to nail it.
     
  9. trailninja

    trailninja Going Slideways!!!!

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quality Engineer
    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Thanks Rox! Looking forward to meeting and riding with you in the future.
     
  10. trailninja

    trailninja Going Slideways!!!!

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quality Engineer
    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Mammoth Bike Park Bloopers! :)

    [video=youtube_share;ZcX-8_r2m9Y]http://youtu.be/ZcX-8_r2m9Y[/video]
     
  11. Sprankle

    Sprankle Chicks Dig Scars....

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2007
    Messages:
    218
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    Software Development
    Location:
    Newport
    Jake does technical so well. He showed me all the chunk in the Santa Ana's, Trabuco, Joplin....
    Even took me to SART my first time. I would be all banged up watching him just clear sections.

    Good times!!
     
  12. trailninja

    trailninja Going Slideways!!!!

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Messages:
    918
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Quality Engineer
    Location:
    Orange County CA
    Very true Joe! He is fearless and has a thing for techincal!
     
  13. giantschwinn

    giantschwinn Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2007
    Messages:
    475
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Aliso Viejo
    Joe, I would trade my measly technical skill with your superman climbing ability anytime. :-s
     
  14. Sprankle

    Sprankle Chicks Dig Scars....

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2007
    Messages:
    218
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    Software Development
    Location:
    Newport
    Deal!

    I will just ride chairlifts moving forward.
     

Share This Page

Help keep STR alive, please click the donation button below