Suggestions for Mammoth Area?

[jdjennin16]

Hello All,

So I am new-ish (3 years) to the West and am looking to get some pointers on riding areas in/nearby Mammoth. After living on the West Coast and taking numerous ski trips (have family up there full time) to Mammoth, I decided to pull the trigger on a sled this year. I know, awesome luck & timing on my end this season.....

This season's woes aside, I am dying to get up there and take the sled for its FIRST ride. I have looked at the trial maps and read up on some of the spots nearby, but would love to have some firsthand opinions on where to go. What are good/best spots to launch from? What are everyone's favorite spots?

I appreciate all feedback in advance and hope that I can at least get out a couple times this year.

 

[donbrown]

Welcome to the snow ridin realm !

Since this is first time I would unload right off the 203 where every one else does ... less than a mile from McDonalds


I would call the local sled rental places and see if the snowmobile trails are groomed and being rented. This means there is enough snow to sled.
www.snowmobilemammoth.com

You can watch to see if the groomer is grooming since it is tracked on the internet by GPS

http://mammothweb.com/scripts/usfs/trailspdfs/trailsreport-c.pdf

Each forest area has rules on what is "enough snow" to ride snowmobiles. Call the local NFS to see if they think there is enough snow so you don't get a ticket. The NPS also enforces speed laws on the trail.

Go ahead and study where NOT TO RIDE. If even one sledder goes into a restricted area we all get in trouble and you are responsible for know where not to ride.

For most crater flats area is good then you can venture up to Mammoth lodge ... eat ... then go North west and get high up into some possible deep snow.


Always yield to non motorized people so they don't file a complaint'

Safety in numbers best ! It would be great to hitch a ride from experienced riders who know the terrain and can show you the area.

You can post here or call the local sled clubs and see if there is a group ride. Group rides are tricky cause eack riding has different skills. So the group can help those inexperienced riders learn and help if you need it.
www.cnsa.net

Typically this discussion would be to just go ride and have fun but the environment from the lack of snow has many on edge. Many here has not been on one ride yet this year because of no snow and most here would agree IMHO the riding conditions (when there was enough snow) have been very very poor and stick to the trails. Plus the forest is hurting from the lack of water.

Any more info just ask
'