SNOWMOBILE TRAILS, Mammoth Lakes

The Snowmobile Trails system is quite extensive and includes many different parts of the Inyo Forest. The trail system is maintained by the organizations that care about them, namely the Mammoth Snowmobile Association and the Guided Tour Outfitters. Some of the trails are "lettered routes" and are in part funded by the California Off Highway Vehicle Program -the green sticker vehicle registration - and are groomed by the US Forest Service with state funds. All snowmobile trails are patrolled on snowmobile by the Mono County Sheriff's Department for your safety.

The average snowpack is 6-10 feet and elevation can run between 7600 ft to 9104 ft. There are many places to start your adventure including Smokey Bear Flats, Shady Rest and the Mammoth Scenic Loop. The snowmobile map in our maps section is divided into north and south for ease in printing.

Smokey Bear Flat is one of the largest snowplay areas for both snowmobiling, dog sleds and inner tubing. From the staging area, you can venture off on many trails. DJ's Snowmobile Rentals starts from this area. Some of the more popular rides are:

Bald Mtn.--Elevation 9104 ft."A" and "D" orange diamond lettered route. Twenty-four miles round trip. Beginner to Advanced. 3-4 hour ride area. The longest, and highest, snowmobile trail in Mammoth goes to the top of the mountain.

Lookout Mt. Loop -- Elevation 8352 ft. "L" orange diamond lettered route. Beginner to Intermediate. Twelve miles round trip completely encircles the mountain at an elevation of 7800 ft. 2-3 hour ride. South Map.

Sawmill Trail - Tunnel Access --Elevation 8800 ft. "A" and "B" orange diamond route. Eleven miles round trip. This trail system is known for its deep snowpack. It is the main route to/from the Town of Mammoth and starts north of Shady Rest. 1-hour to 2-hour ride.

Shady Rest Park provides many trails and the staging area is just south of the Visitors Center off of Highway 203. The "A" trail marked by Orange Diamonds takes you across the forest to Lookout Mountain and makes a loop. North and South Maps.

Vista Loop (Blue Trail) -- Elevation 8615 ft. Beginner route. Eleven miles round trip. 1-hour ride. The Vista Loop is a great introduction to snowmobiling ride. Vista Trail is the most popular trail in Mammoth with over 25,000 visitors. To maintain its popularity, it is changed from time to time as funds are available. The entire trail system offers spectacular views of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. The area to the south is known as the "Long Valley Caldera."

If you are going to do your own adventuring, be sure to pick up a copy of the Winter Recreation Map which has all the trails, available at the Mammoth Visitors Center.