Mammoth Lakes Bike & Hike

 

 

In the summer, there is no better way to experience Mammoth’s lush alpine meadows and crystal-clear high-country lakes than at an eye-level hiking pace. There are many lakes with a variety of hikes (easy to strenuous). The Lake Mary area has the Twin Lakes Trail, the Panorama Dome Trail and of course, Lake Mary. Or the shuttle from the ski lift area takes you to Reds Meadow, Rainbow Falls, another peaceful lake, Devil’s Postpile, Agnew Meadows, Convict Lake, with all kinds of hikes in between. More ambitious hikers may want to join me for a 22-mile round trip hike to Thousand Island lake. We start and finish at our campsite.

 

In summer, Mammoth Mountain’s ski slopes are transformed into a mountain bike paradise. Riders of all abilities and conditioning levels can take advantage of its extensive trail system. There are more than 80 miles of groomed single-track trail and high-speed gondola lift access to the 11,053’ summit.

 

About 20 percent of the trails are beginner, 60 percent intermediate, and 20 percent expert. Recently built trails are designed to flow with the terrain. Up hills are set to limit the grade that riders have to pedal. Most of these bike trails are one-way and are for bikes ONLY. The trails are self-guided, with canopied rest and water stops.

 

For those without their own mountain bikes there are rentals available that offer a dual suspension, cushy ride.

 

-The Village has passes and rentals, and the Bike Park Shuttle departures daily, every 20 mins from 8:30am to 5:30pm, to the Adventure Center

-The Adventure Center (located at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge) is Bike Park headquarters with passes, rentals, demos, repairs, trail access and Panorama Gondola loading. Parking & Restaurant.

-Panorama Gondola will run from 9am to 4:30pm daily from the Adventure Center to the summit.

 

1-Day Park Pass for Trail, Gondola & Shuttle (if you bring your own bike) $39

2-Day Park Pass for Trail, Gondola & Shuttle (if you bring your own bike) $69

Full-Day Park Pass for Trail, Gondola & Shuttle w/ Standard Bike rental $81

4 Hour Park Pass for Trail, Gondola & Shuttle w/ Standard Bike rental $70

Full-Day Park Pass for Trail, Gondola & Shuttle w/ Performance Bike, Demo & Protection Gear $151

(…and a myriad of other combinations/options)

 

Pine Glen Campground is located in the Eastern Sierras next to the town of Mammoth Lakes, at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Our group campsite is located under the shady canopy of a mature Jeffery pine forest, yet is within walking distance of restaurants and stores in the town of Mammoth Lakes.  There are flush toilets and sinks with running water, but there are no showers. Pay showers are allegedly available nearby but I recommend bringing a solar camp shower. The Sierra Nevada is bear country! Proper food storage is required and there are bear boxes located at our campsite.

 

Itinerary (flexible)

Friday:  Arrive anytime after 2pm

     6pm Welcome Tea

     (dinner on your own)

     8pm Campfire

Saturday: Get up at your leisure, have breakfast etc

     Option A: Day of Hiking and exploring

     Option B: Head to Bike Park for day of Biking (might be really busy)

     6pm Back at Camp for Potluck Dinner

     8pm Campfire

     10pm .. I’ll try to find a cool evening hike!

Sunday: Get up at your leisure, have breakfast etc

     Option A: Head to Bike Park for day of Biking (hopefully, less crowded)

     Option B: Day of Hiking and exploring or hanging around camp

     6pm Back at Camp to clean-up and find a restaurant for dinner (dutch treat)

     9pm Campfire and Games (some will be heading home)

Monday: Leisurely morning .. breakfast, coffee etc

     Try to squeeze in a scenic hike or scope out Devil’s Postpile before heading home?!

     1:00pm Checkout time

 

There’s parking for a limited number of vehicles, so carpooling is required .. 2-3ppl per car .. I’ll facilitate car assignments.

Drink plenty of water and use sunscreen as you can dry out and burn quickly at Mammoth’s altitude. Helmets are required and should fit properly. If you ride the technical expert downhill trails you may want a full-face helmet and some body armor, or at least knee and elbow pads.

It can be cool at the top of the mountain when it’s hot at the bottom, so bring a light windbreaker. Watch out for sudden thunderstorms. Take shelter away from ridge tops and tall trees, lift poles, and other lightening attractors.

In Mammoth’s sandy pumice, concentrate on keeping your front wheel straight and your weight back. Steer by leaning, as a sharp turn on the handlebars will cause the front wheel to dig in and stop your bike.

Wide tires (2.2-2.5 inches) and reducing your tire pressure to about 35 lbs will help get you through the pumice, but if you go too low, you may get pinch flats.

Dragging a little rear brake as you pedal through turns will help keep you connected. But try to do your major braking when you are going straight, before turns.

Start easy, don’t ride alone, and watch out for other riders.

 

*We have the campsite from Friday afternoon through noon on Monday so we’ll have 2 full days to play. You can stay as long as you like on Sunday or leave Monday morning .. either way you’ll miss the traffic rush home.

**$49/person includes 3 nights of camping, parking and welcome snacks and refreshments. In addition to the trip fee, each person will need to bring a potluck item which will serve 4-6 people and each person will need to bring one bundle of firewood. The trip fee does not include any equipment rentals, bike insurance, trail, gondola or shuttle passes.