Memorial Day @ Mammoth Lakes

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Memorial Day @ Mammoth Lakes

By Dan Kibler

Mammoth Lakes, California is justifiably known for its world class ski area, Mammoth Mountain. However, it is also a great year-round, adult playground with such varied activities as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, golfing, soaking, and, of course, in-line skating. Although it's not publicized [except in my book California In-Line Skating! --Liz], there are some great trails and other places to skate in the Mammoth area.

Liz and I make our annual pilgrimage to Mammoth on Memorial Day after the Sierra passes open, making the drive from the Bay Area reasonable. This year we once again made the drive across the Central Valley, through Yosemite and the high Sierra Nevada, and south along the eastern front of the Sierra to Mammoth Lakes. Getting an early start, we had time to tour the Hershey's Factory in Oakdale - a must for chocolate lovers. We also had lunch at Olmsted Point, one of the great viewpoints in Yosemite.

After checking in to our hotel, we geared up and headed out to the Main Path, part of the growing system of paved paths in Mammoth Lakes. We hit the trail at the north side of the traffic light at Main Street and Old Mammoth Road. Another good place to start is at Mammoth Creek Park on Old Mammoth Road. The Main Path can be skated as part of a loop that has good, generally-clean pavement and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and desert.

There are some climbs and fast downhill sections so you should be able to control your speed if you plan to go far from the trailhead. We recommend having a heel brake and knowing how to use it. Doing the path in the clockwise direction will result in a hard climb to the viewpoint, while in the opposite direction the same hill becomes a fast downhill run through the open forest. Don't miss the viewpoint at the southeast end of the path with views that include Mammoth Mountain, Sherwin Bowl, Long Valley, Crowley Lake and the 14,000 foot White Mountains in the distance.

The trail was free of snow this year, but in previous years we have encountered snow patches. It doubles as a cross-country ski trail in the winter. Mammoth Lakes is at almost 8000 feet elevation. You may notice the thin air as you chug up the hills.

On our second day, we headed out to Benton Crossing Road, a short drive south of Mammoth Lakes. To get there, turn East off of Hwy 395 toward a small green church a couple of miles south of the airport. You could skate anywhere on this road, but close to 395 the traffic moves fast, so we recommend you drive a few miles East, over the Owens River and past the RV camp just beyond a 90-degree turn to the South. Park anywhere on the shoulder and skate south. The traffic is quite light beyond the campground.

You can skate from here to Mono Lake if you want. The pavement starts good, but deteriorates near the rise in the distance. Everywhere you look there are great views, from the Sierra Nevada on the west to the peaks of the Benton Range on the east. It can be hot and windy out here in the desert of Long Valley. It's best to go early and bring plenty of water.

Play as long as you want and then head to one of the hot springs in the area for a relaxing apres-skate soak.

There are several other good places to skate in the area:

The trail system is gradually being built out in town. Pick up a map and look for new sections.

For the aggro set, there is a small skate park at the Shady Rest Campground.

Mammoth Scenic Loop Road is the site of the Zolar Downhill races and a good place for some fast road skating.

Some of the more daring skaters try skating down Minarets Road from the ski area to town.This road is steep in places and has plenty of traffic. Don't try this on a weekend.

More photos from Mammoth.

Check out the Mammoth Web for more information about the area.

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Mammoth Lakes, California is justifiably known for its world class ski area, Mammoth Mountain. However, it is also a great year-round, adult playground with such varied activities as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, golfing, soaking, and, of course, in-line skating. Although it's not publicized [except in my book California In-Line Skating! --Liz], there are some great trails and other places to skate in the Mammoth area. Liz and I make our annual pilgrimage to Mammoth on Memorial Day after the Sierra passes open, making the drive from the Bay Area reasonable. This year we once again made the drive across the Central Valley, through Yosemite and the high Sierra Nevada, and south along the eastern front of the Sierra to Mammoth Lakes. Getting an early start, we had time to tour the Hershey's Factory in Oakdale - a must for chocolate lovers. We also had lunch at Olmsted Point, one of the great viewpoints in Yosemite.
	After checking in to our hotel, we geared up and headed out to the Main Path, part of the growing system of paved paths in Mammoth Lakes. We hit the trail at the north side of the traffic light at Main Street and Old Mammoth Road. Another good place to start is at Mammoth Creek Park on Old Mammoth Road. The Main Path can be skated as part of a loop that has good, generally-clean pavement and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and desert.
There are some climbs and fast downhill sections so you should be able to control your speed if you plan to go far from the trailhead. We recommend having a heel brake and knowing how to use it. Doing the path in the clockwise direction will result in a hard climb to the viewpoint, while in the opposite direction the same hill becomes a fast downhill run through the open forest. Don't miss the viewpoint at the southeast end of the path with views that include Mammoth Mountain, Sherwin Bowl, Long Valley, Crowley Lake and the 14,000 foot White Mountains in the distance.
	The trail was free of snow this year, but in previous years we have encountered snow patches. It doubles as a cross-country ski trail in the winter. Mammoth Lakes is at almost 8000 feet elevation. You may notice the thin air as you chug up the hills.
On our second day, we headed out to Benton Crossing Road, a short drive south of Mammoth Lakes. To get there, turn East off of Hwy 395 toward a small green church a couple of miles south of the airport. You could skate anywhere on this road, but close to 395 the traffic moves fast, so we recommend you drive a few miles East, over the Owens River and past the RV camp just beyond a 90-degree turn to the South. Park anywhere on the shoulder and skate south. The traffic is quite light beyond the campground.
	You can skate from here to Mono Lake if you want. The pavement starts good, but deteriorates near the rise in the distance. Everywhere you look there are great views, from the Sierra Nevada on the west to the peaks of the Benton Range on the east. It can be hot and windy out here in the desert of Long Valley. It's best to go early and bring plenty of water. Play as long as you want and then head to one of the hot springs in the area for a relaxing apres-skate soak.