Mammoth Mountain in Inyo National Forest, CA

Hike Mammoth Mountain Inyo National Forest, CA

Class 1 6.2 miles 2500 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Aug 24, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mammoth Mountain GPX Track

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After my last trip to the Sierra a couple of weeks ago, my addiction to these peaks only grew stronger. Perhaps I was a little too eager, because today was cold, windy, and there was actual snowfall (yay, summer!), forcing me to change my plans more times than I care to admit, but eventually settled on Mammoth Mountain. This is a short hike at a lower elevation, and I figured I might dodge the worst of the weather. Mammoth Mountain is home to a ski resort just outside the city of Mammoth Lakes. There are plenty of ways to reach the summit, but I chose the Dragon's Back Trail from the southeast. I left my car outside the Twin Lakes Campground at a small lot before a bridge, since day hiker parking is not permitted past here.

I walked through the Twin Lakes Campground, found the trailhead, and started up a few switchbacks that were steep enough to remind my legs what hiking is like again. The switchbacks continued through the forest with some nice views down to Twin Lakes. I reached a junction with a trail that leads to some lava tubes above a feature known as Hole in the Wall, a lava rock formation with an arch-shaped tunnel, but I chose to skip this excursion. The climb up to the southeast ridge of Mammoth Mountain continued along the Dragon's Back Trail, and I was rewarded with gorgeous views of Lake Mary and the surrounding peaks. Well, at least until I entered the fog, where the only thing I could see was more fog. The trail pleasantly made its way up the spine. Significant construction was done to keep the route a simple walk, eliminating what would otherwise certainly include scrambling.

Soon, I was above the treeline and crossed over a ski resort road. The wind had picked up and I was moving quickly, just keen on reaching the summit at this point since I couldn't see anything anyway. I followed the trail up a steep slope, which eventually turned into a manicured dirt road that led me almost to the summit. I had absolutely no views, but I'm sure they would normally be lovely.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mammoth Mountain
11030 ft
1647 rise

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Crossing the bridge into Twin Lakes Campground.
Crossing the bridge into Twin Lakes Campground.
Dragon's Back Trailhead.
Dragon's Back Trailhead.
View back during the initial slope switchbacks.
View back during the initial slope switchbacks.
Continuing through the forest after the first slope.
Continuing through the forest after the first slope.
More switchbacks on the way up to Mammoth Mountain's east ridge.
More switchbacks on the way up to Mammoth Mountain's east ridge.
Twin Lakes below.
Twin Lakes below.
Approaching the junction with the Lava Tubes route.
Approaching the junction with the Lava Tubes route.
East ridge seen above.
East ridge seen above.
View south along the trail.
View south along the trail.
Junction, keep right.
Junction, keep right.
More switchbacks below the east ridge (Dragon's Back), Lake Mary seen below.
More switchbacks below the east ridge (Dragon's Back), Lake Mary seen below.
View west.
View west.
View east once I reached the east ridge.
View east once I reached the east ridge.
Close-up toward the basin housing Lake Mary.
Close-up toward the basin housing Lake Mary.
Along the Dragon's Back.
Along the Dragon's Back.
The trail avoids rock outcroppings as it wiggles up the spine.
The trail avoids rock outcroppings as it wiggles up the spine.
Image 16 from gallery
Continuing along the ridge.
Continuing along the ridge.
View back along the crest.
View back along the crest.
The Dragon's Back Trail continues along the crest.
The Dragon's Back Trail continues along the crest.
It sometimes drops just below in order to create tamer siwtchbacks.
It sometimes drops just below in order to create tamer siwtchbacks.
I crossed over a ski resort road.
I crossed over a ski resort road.
The trail continues steeply up the slope.
The trail continues steeply up the slope.
Dirt road to nearly the summit.
Dirt road to nearly the summit.
Mammoth Mountain summit.
Mammoth Mountain summit.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!