Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2025

40 2025 Scenic 395 Mammoth Mammoth Mountain makes magic memories Mammoth Mountain attracts thousands of skiers in winter and mountain bikers in summer. Not everyone knows that it also offers a novel hike. After an enjoyable trek through the woods near the mountain’s base and up its western ridge, hikers can visit a summit station with interesting exhibits, eat at its cafe and descend on the ski area’s gondola for free.  This hike is four miles one way with gondola descent, taking three hours, or eight miles round trip without it, taking five to six hours. The trailhead elevation is 8,921 feet, and the hike climbs 2,132 feet to a 11,053-foot summit.  Park near Mammoth Lakes Ski Area or, to avoid traffic and parking issues, take a free bus from town. Mammoth Mountain Trail (also known as St. Anton Trail) be- gins on the south side of Highway 203 just west of Mammoth’s Adventure Center and gondola station.  Look for short brown signposts reading “Mammoth Mountain Hiking Trail” at trail junctions throughout the ascent and follow them carefully to avoid cycling trails and mountain bikers. Our path begins in a forest of lodgepole pines, whitebark pines and mountain hemlocks. In fact, a set of interpretive signs at the beginning of the trail helps hikers to identify them. The route circles around the mountain’s base in a counter- clockwise direction as it gains elevation. After passing above Reds Lake, the trail climbs onto Mammoth’s western ridge and above the tree line. Just before the summit, we reach Lakes Basin Overlook, which deserves a stop to enjoy the south- eastern view of Inyo National Forest’s many lakes and peaks. Then it’s just a few hundred yards to the Courtesy Photo Continued on Page 41