Each week during the Summer season, Friends of the Inyo Lakes Basin Stewards will be providing update trail condition reports for trail in and around the Mammoth area. The Stewards and these reports are made possible through the generous funding of the Town of Mammoth Lakes – Mammoth Lakes Trail System funds. Check back each week for a new report or follow us on Facebook to find out what’s happening on across the incomparable Eastern Sierra. Got something to share? Click the contact us link at the bottom of the page.
Mammoth Lakes Trails Report
June 1, 2013
Most of the trails in the Mammoth Lakes Basin are melting out, but in addition to muddy trails there are still patches of snow obscuring many hiking paths in the Basin. Be careful when hiking on snow because it often melts out underneath resulting in loose footing.
The Duck Pass trail has patches of snow to Skelton Lake. After Skelton Lake there is a lot of snow obscuring the trail. The trail to Arrowhead Lake has some snow, but is accessible.
The Convict Creek trail is clear of snow but sections of the trail are obscured and severely damaged from a landside. It is possible to cross to the other side, but take care when crossing over rocks because some may not be stable. Additionally, this section of the trail is steep. Also, four miles into the trail (a mile before Mildred Lake) the stream is too hazardous to cross due to high water levels. The trail around Convict Lake is accessible and clear. In Bloom: Rosey Stonecrop, Meadow Rue, and Woodland Star.
The road to Laurel Lakes is covered in patches of snow for the last mile of the road. Additionally this road is only accessible by vehicles with high clearance and 4WD.
The trails out of Horseshoe Lake are still mostly covered in snow. The hike to McLeod Lake is very snowy and icy and many vistors are finding getting to and from the lake challenging. The trail to Mammoth Pass has many patches of snow and many trees in the trail. Additionally there are no signs at many of the junctions making navigating in this area challenging without a map. Be aware of what is overhead on this trail because there are many trees waiting to fall.
The trail to Emerald Lake is free of snow and though the trail is steep in sections the lake is simple to access. The trail continuing to Sky Meadows still retains a lot of snow and the trail is challenging to navigate.
From the Lake George Day Use Area the Crystal Lake trail is covered in snow after 0.5 miles. Both trails leading to Lake Barrett and TJ Lake are free of snow and debris.
The Panorama Dome Mountain Bike Trail has been reconstructed by Friends of the Inyo, MLTPA, and over 50 volunteers as a National Trails Day project and is accessible to all users. Get out there an enjoy some new trail!
Mammoth Lakes Trails Report
May 20, 2013
In general, there is snow along many trails in forested areas of the Mammoth Lakes Basin above 9,200’. South facing slopes are melting out quickly, and there are scattered trees across trails from winter storms. Exercise caution when traveling across snow, and be aware of hazardous trees, widowmakers, leaning trees and snags when hiking and enjoying the Mammoth Lakes Basin.
The Heart Lake trail is open but there are patches of snow at the beginning of the trail, 0.4 miles after the trailhead, and right before the lake. Flowers in bloom: Pussypaws, Prickly Phlox, and Stickseed.
The Mammoth Consolidated Mine is mostly snow free and accessible.
Trailheads at Lake George are snow free, but trails to Crystal Lake and Barrett/T.J. Lakes have patchy snow.
The Mammoth Rock Trail is accessible and clear of snow. Look for: Orange Peel Mushrooms.
The roads, hiking and mountain bike trails are open at the Inyo Craters but the road leading to the trailhead is rough and a high clearance vehicle is recommended but not required.
The 11-mile Knolls Mountain Bike Loop near the Shady Rest Campground is clear of snow and well marked with signs. In bloom: Monkey flower, Brewer’s lupine, and Whiskerbrush.
Both the Valentine Lake and Sherwin Lakes trails are open. There are several trees across the Valentine Lake trail. Above 9400’ (about 1.5 miles after the two trails meet) the trail is covered in snow. Valentine Lake is still accessible but stay on the snow and avoid cutting the switchbacks to lessen erosion in the last mile to the Lake.