Cycling Nirvana ~ Mammoth Lakes, California

Cycling Nirvana ~ Mammoth Lakes, California

Cycling Nirvana: Mammoth Lakes Combines Hundreds of Miles of Mountain Bike Trails and Road Rides with an Established Bike Park Atop an 11,053 Foot Peak Top Five Mountain Biking, Road Rides, and Family Peddles at Mammoth Lakes.

Mammoth Lakes, Calif. -- Road riders or fat tire fans, families seeking a mild ride or thrill seekers pursuing the downhill ride of their lives will all find paved or mountain bike trails ideally suited to their abilities at Mammoth Lakes.

At Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, riders find plenty of jumps and drops as well as a variety of terrain from beginner to advanced on 70-plus miles of dirt single-track. Thanks to the Panorama Gondola, cyclists can start at the top of the 11,053 foot mountain and speed down 3,000 feet from the summit or start half way up and ride down from there. Bike Rangers make rounds in the Bike Park to answer questions and assist with gear. Mammoth Mountain Bike Park's freeride network is growing with seven new advanced-terrain trails built in the last three seasons. Mammoth as well as hundreds of miles dirt paths and bikeable roads alike, providing ample opportunities to explore an area known for its 12,000 and 13,000-foot mountain peaks, glimmering lakes and clean, fresh mountain air.

Map of the Long Valley Caldera, the Inyo Craters and Mono Craters within the Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra, Mono County, California.

Here are some popular bike rides—mountain, road and family-oriented—in and around Mammoth Lakes.

Mountain Biking

1. Techno Rock (most difficult) - A fast, technical, expert-only trail from McCoy Station to the Main Lodge with BIG rock drops and berms.

2. Richter (intermediate) - A fast, tree-lined roller coaster ride off Kamikaze and Trail Home that features ladders, wooden bridges and plenty of berms. Combine this trail with Shock Treatment and the X-Zone, and riders create a fun, freeride path from the top of the mountain.

3. Twilight Zone (difficult) - This urban-inspired trail will soon become Mammoth Mountain's "signature” trail. Mountain bikers hang a quick right halfway down Chain Smoke and then accelerate through a series of linked dirt berms and jumps, wood ramps and the heart-pounding "deep-end," a 50-foot-wide, 12-foot-tall, wooden-banked wall ride.

4. Inyo Craters Loop - This route is a favorite among the locals - beginners to advanced riders. It's ideal for strong riders with limited time who want a good work out since they can build up speed thanks to the mildly technical conditions. The route, a 10.4-mile clockwise loop, begins at the Inyo Crater Lakes parking area.

5. Lower Rock Creek Canyon - Soar down 2,000 vertical feet of single-track mountain bike trails. The trail begins south of Tom's Place, just off Hwy. 395.

Road Bike Rides

1. Route 120 Loop - This 111-mile ride features fun woopty dos on the northern part of Hwy. 120 along with expansive views of the Sierra Nevada. Go north on Hwy. 395, turn right onto Hwy.120 then right onto Benton Crossing Rd. back to Hwy. 395. To shorten the route, just take the northern portion of Hwy. 120.

2. June Lake Loop - Pass alpine lakes, waterfalls and towering mountain peaks on this moderately steep ride. Take Hwy. 395 north to June Lake Loop and connect back with Hwy. 395, taking it south back to Mammoth.

3. Upper Rock Creek Canyon - This steep uphill, 10-mile ride follows Rock Creek into the Sierra Nevada mountains, past groves of aspen trees up to 10,000 feet above sea level and Rock Creek Lake. Access Rock Creek Road at Tom's Place.

4. Minaret Vista Ride - Peddle from the town of Mammoth Lakes on a moderate uphill ride to a spectacular view of one of the area's signature ranges—The Minarets, a jagged ridge line that dominates the skyline.

5. Mammoth Scenic Loop - This ride, with a mild to moderate grade, showcases the spectacular scenery and geologic wonders of the Mammoth Lakes area. Take Hwy. 203 toward Mammoth Mountain then take a right on Mammoth Scenic Loop. To return, travel south on Hwy. 395.

Family Rides

(Listed easiest to hardest)

1. Mammoth Lakes Bike Path - Ride the bikes throughout town, stopping along the way to buy the kids an ice cream treat.

2. Mammoth Creek Trail - Peddle along The Mammoth Creek Trail, a paved path that runs from Old Mammoth Road along Mammoth Creek to Meridian Boulevard on the eastern side of Mammoth Lakes. Incredible views of Crowley Lake.

3. Downtown - This trail is a good option for families who want to ride the Panorama Gondola up Mammoth Mountain then cruise down a relatively mild trail. This 5-mile trail starts at the Main Lodge, climbs ever so slightly for the first mile before turning into a gentle downhill, ending in at the Village.

4. Mammoth Lakes Basin Bike Path - This paved path starts in town and heads up hill to the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Along the route riders will encounter breathtaking views of the Sherwin Mountains and bike right past the Twin Falls. Along the way stop at the Twin Lakes general store for ice cream or at Tamarack Lodge for refreshments.

5. The Paper Route - For more of a challenge than Downtown, Paper Route is single-track trail that twists and rolls along the side of Mammoth Mountain to your ride, which includes a covered rest stop and the scenic viewpoint overlooking Twin Lakes. And if you want to keep rolling, Paper Route also offers access to other great cross-country trails like Big Ring, Timber Ridge and Juniper.

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