Trail Overview
This fine-dirt trail begins just off the highway and quickly enters dense forest over heavy washboards and 4 to 5-inch ruts. The route features frequent hill climbs and descents over soft dirt, with signage at the entrance recommending 4WD or AWD. Camping is plentiful, with dozens of level, fully shaded campsites beginning around 0.2 miles and several more around 0.6 miles. Farther along, the trail becomes narrow and requires weaving between tight trees, with sections reaching up to 12 degrees off-camber. The combination of tight terrain and frequent climbs makes this route unsuitable for vans and trailers.
Difficulty
This trail is rated Level 4 because of the frequent hill climbs and descents, soft dirt, heavy washboards, tight trees, and sections reaching 12 degrees off-camber. 4WD or AWD is recommended by posted signage, and careful driving is required through the narrower sections.
History
Inyo National Forest was established in 1907 and today protects a vast section of the Eastern Sierra surrounding Mammoth Lakes. The area has a long history of Native American use, mining, ranching, and recreation, while its dramatic landscape was shaped by volcanic activity, glaciers, and the uplift of the Sierra Nevada.
