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) begins 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 counterclockwise 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 southeastern view of Inyo National Forest’s many lakes and peaks.

Then it’s just a few hundred yards to the 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 Mammoth 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.

COURTESY PHOTO

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 Mammoth Mountain as well as the Minarets is found at Minaret Vista, a few miles west of the ski area.