Hiking Trails on Mammoth Mountain

From the wide multi-use trail behind and to the left of the Eleven53 Interpretive Center, the Mammoth Mountain trail winds down the back of the mountain, with views of the San Joaquin river valley below and surrounding peaks before heading back to the Main Lodge via Red's Lake.

Descend Mammoth Mountain’s summit to the scenic Lakes Basin. Meander down into the forest past the “Bottomless Pit,” a natural arch that drops toward Twin Lakes. Be sure to look for the Dragon's Back/Twin Lakes sign where the hiking trail breaks from the Skid Marks bike trail. Then take the free shuttle from Tamarack Lodge (at Twin Lakes) to The Village.

Enjoy wide-open views on an easy descent from McCoy Station, the mid-mountain gondola stop, to Main Lodge. Before starting on the trail, stop for lunch at the nearby picnic area – just ask the gondola operator for directions when you get off at McCoy Station.

Start this loop next to the Mammoth Ski & Snowboard Team headquarters, the brown and red building across the road from the Adventure Center. Learn about the resilient flora and fauna that call Mammoth home, identify local critters, birds, and trees and discover how they’ve adapted to their high altitude environment along the route.

The trail starts behind the Mammoth Mountain Inn, gradually gaining altitude through a lovely mixed conifer forest and then flattening out to an open, pumice-covered ridge. At the vista, hikers are rewarded with a sweeping view of the Minarets, Ritter Range and the river valley below.

High-alpine terrain gives way to thick pine forest as you snake your way from mid-mountain at McCoy Station down to the Adventure Center.

Look for the trail across the road from the Minaret Summit ranger booth. This pleasant hike switchbacks down to the road across from Starkweather. From there, you can hop on the shuttle (fee required) to go check out Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls, or ride it back to the ranger booth.