Trail Overview

This 3-mile in-and-out trail leads to the base of Crater Mountain, offering pretty views of the Eastern Sierras and Crater Mountain throughout the journey. The route climbs over 400 feet in just over 1.4 miles, transitioning to a shelf road near the end of the trail that provides elevated perspectives of the surrounding mountain terrain.

Photos of Crater Mountain - FS 1S18

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Difficulty

This trail earns a low difficulty rating with its sand and pumice road surface. The track is one vehicle wide with some sections that can be deep, along with some washboards throughout the route. The narrow width and varied surface conditions require attention but remain manageable for most 4WD vehicles.

History

Crater Mountain, part of the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain, formed from past eruptions of rhyolite magma. These eruptions, which began around 40,000 years ago and continued to recent times, produced a series of craters, domes, and lava flows. The most recent activity in the area, including the formation of Paoha Island in Mono Lake, occurred approximately 250 years ago, according to the USGS.

Technical Rating