Trail Overview
This narrow, soft-dirt trail immediately begins with a steep hill climb and 6–8 inch ruts. Farther along, the route becomes heavily washed out, with ruts reaching 14 inches deep and sections up to 10 degrees off-camber. At least 12 inches of front-end clearance is required, while 4WD or AWD is recommended but not required. Overgrown vegetation and branches make pinstriping possible. Camping is plentiful throughout, including a level, shaded campsite around 0.1 miles that accommodates up to three vehicles and several larger shaded sites around 1.2 miles.
Difficulty
This trail is rated Level 3 because of the steep hill climbs, 14-inch ruts, washed-out terrain, and sections reaching 10 degrees off-camber. At least 12 inches of front-end clearance is required, and 4WD or AWD is recommended, especially in wet conditions.
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.
