Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2025

2025 Scenic 395 41 Mammoth signed summit and Eleven53 Interpretive Center. This summit station not only commands an outstanding view of the Minarets, Mount Ritter, Banner Peak and Devils Postpile National Monument, but also offers a variety of exhibits on local geology, wildlife and culture. There’s even a small restaurant. Why not indulge in a hot lunch and a cold beer on this summit before returning effortlessly on the gondola. The center and gondola close at 4:30 p.m. daily in summer and fall, or sometimes earlier during dangerous weather such as lightning.  Volcanic eruptions formed this lava dome complex. Mono Indians occupied the area until four miners staked a claim on Mineral Hill in 1877, forming Mam- moth Mining Company the next year. Ski enthusiast Dave McCoy set up the first rope tow on the mountain in 1942. He got a Forest Service permit to develop a ski area in 1953, built a small lodge and added a used chair lift. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area was born, which led to the growth of Mammoth Lakes, a popular resort town; both take their name from the short-lived mining company.  Mountain bikers use the gondola to ride down this mountain in summer, though cyclists are not allowed to ride uphill to the summit. Mammoth requires all cyclists to buy trail passes even if they do not use the gondola. An alternative trail leads from Twin Lakes to the summit on the Twin Lakes Trail along the mountain’s western Dragons Back ridge. At around three miles each way, this path is slightly shorter than Mammoth Mountain Trail, but climbs around 250 feet more and does not offer a gondola descent to your starting point. An excellent spot for pictures of Mam- moth Mountain as well as the Minarets is found at Minaret Vista, a fewmiles west of the ski area. Courtesy Photo Continued from Page 40