OFF ROADING IN MAMMOTH LAKES

Off-highway adventure in Mammoth is enough to rev up any self-respecting SUV or its owner. Get off the asphalt and on to a four wheeling adventure on the back road locations across the Sierra. You can discover a California panorama beyond the imagination of those who stick to the asphalt. Hundreds of miles of unpaved roads are just waiting for you on the Inyo National Forest. Back road travel leads to a full menu of Sierra locations and this-must-be-the-movies scenery. There are high mountain lakes, shadowed canyons, giant boulders guarding ice-cold streams, dense forests of tall timber and austere, high-desert plateaus. The Mammoth Visitor Center and Ranger Station located at the entrance to town on State Highway 203 offers free off-high vehicle maps featuring 14 OHV routes in the Mammoth area. Your 4WD adventures can reveal the out-of-the-way charms of a ghost town, historic gold mine or geologic sites such as Hot Creek, Inyo Craters and Obsidian Dome. Getting there is half the fun!

OHV Regulations

To ride on public lands your OHV must be street legal or display a California Green Sticker obtained through eh Department of Vehicles. You must have a Forest Service approved spark arrester. Check with your local Ranger Station for legal areas to ride. Be sure you know the State and Federal laws for operating your OHV. Out of state OHV operators must carry the out of state identification and don't need a California green sticker.

Motorcycle

- Discover the many opportunities for recreation with your dirt bike. The forest has great scenery, challenging terrain and interesting destinations. Both Mammoth and Bishop feature motocross tracks and summer races. Check the activities section to find out dates.
OHV include dune buggies, motorcycles and All Terrain Vehicles (ATV).

TRIPS TO TRY Courtesy of Mammoth Ranger District

Laurel Canyon Road

- 2 miles south on Sherwin Creek Road from Old Mammoth Road. Laurel Canyon is challenging, very rough and infrequently maintained. (All the right ingredients for fun!) Fishing, Camping scenery is all around. The road ends 5 miles up the canyon at Laurel Lakes. Open for 4x4, ATV's bikes, and motorcycles. (4S86)

Creek Road

- Turn left 1 mile out of Sherwin Creek Campground. The right fork is designated open for OHV use. Easy riding, nicely forested. Ideal for ATV's and families. A loop can be completed along this road. Be aware of oncoming cars and bicycles.

Mammoth Creek Road

- Park off Old Mammoth Road on the north side of the creek. It is five miles of easy riding close to Mammoth Creek. Road 4S16 is also open and loops back to the Creek Road. (3S09 & 4S16)

Sawmill Loops

- several loop trips exist from the Sawmill Road. It is all forested riding with access back to Sawmill Road.

San Joaquin Ridge

- Scenic ridge top route of 2.6 miles. Take the first dirt road to the right as you head for Minaret Vista. The road requires a 4x4 or ATV; it is infrequently maintained. The soil is very fragile in this area - Please stay on the open road.

Lookout Mountain

- Go north on Hwy. 395 to the Lookout Mountain turnoff directly across from the Mammoth Scenic Route. 3.1 miles to a scenic 360° overlook of the Sierra Mountains, Glass Mountains, and Owens Valley. Easy to moderate riding with many connecting roads east of Hwy. 395. Be aware of oncoming vehicles and other recreationalists. (3S06 to 2S02)

Ball Park Vista

- It's a five mile loop from Sawmill Road then a steep grade to the Vista Point overlooking Shady Rest and the town of Mammoth Lakes. (3S35/3S37-3S36 - Pole line)

Dry Creek Loop

- Start at road 3S27 by the maintenance station, 2.5 miles up Minaret Road. A 15-mile loop will take you to Deadman Road on the Mono Ranger District and back past the Inyo Craters. Varied terrain. (3S89, 3S30, 3S22, 2S06, 2S29, 2S29D)
TREAD Lightly!
As you enjoy your outing please keep the following in mind:

• Ride it in, ride it out! Keep your forest clean.
  
• Stay on Forest Service developed routes. Help to control erosion, preserve scenic values and sensitive plants. For example, Crater Flats along 3S22 has unique plants found only in Mono County.
  
• You will be sharing your public lands with other recreationalists - cars, trucks, hikers, and cyclists. Please be aware and drive with care.
  
• Keep noise levels to a minimum. This can increase your changes of seeing wildlife and create less impact on birds and mammals.

Enjoy your trip!.