Cross Country Skiing in Mammoth Lakes & Inyo National Forest

There are some incredible options for cross country skiing here in Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern High Sierra. Your options and where to go will be determined by the weather, snow and time of winter you come to Mammoth. Let's take a look at the many options you have for Cross Country Skiing here. First up is the Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center located up at Twin Lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. This is your top choice for cross country skiing in the local area and all of California. You get 45 kilometers of groomed track and skating lanes that will make for a great day or season of fun. The lakes basins is also known for its great snow conditions at 9000 feet and it's epic views of the mammoth crest and beyond. Check out the Tamarack Cross Country Ski Web Site for more details, maps and what's happening this week up at the Ski Center. The Shady Rest Trail System This Trail System offers you three trails: A, B, & C. You get about 7.5 kilometers of fun that takes you into and through the forest over mostly level terrain. These trails can be accessed by parking at The Mammoth Lakes Visitors Center. All the Trails are marked with those famous blue diamond signs you see in the forest during the summer. Along with the Blue Diamonds the forest service has taken maps and posted them along the 3 loops you can ride at Shady Rest.   You can get the most updated information and free maps at the Mammoth Lakes Visitors Center.   The shady rest trails are recommended for intermediate skiers. If you're new to the sport, try tamarack cross country ski center first. Minaret Vista (4.9 kilometers Round Trip) Beginner. The trail head for this multi use trail is accessed from the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Main Lodge parking area.  Park near the main lodge and grab the shuttle to the trail head. You also chose to ride the Mammoth Mountain red line in from town and then ski this route. The driver can show you how to access the trail just above chair 11. This trail is hwy 203 in the summer and it is a nice and wide ski run.  It is a multi use trail shared with snow shoes, snowmobiles and cross country skiers sharing the trail.  The first 1/3 mile of this trail is shared with skiers and snowboarders coming down a access trail.  We recommend you use the right hand side of the trail as you head up the first 1/3 mile of the trail. Once past you have a couple miles of rolling terrain and then a short climb to the vista point.  This is a great place to get some epic back country view of the the minarets, Ritter, banner and the back country.  You also get a unique view of Mammoth Mtn from the vista. Bring a lunch on a warm day and a camera for some great photo shots.  Be prepared; this ridge is exposed to the wind and calm conditions can get windy very quickly, so make sure you are prepared and know what the daily forecast is. The Inyo National Forest also has a complete winter trail system that you can use for FREE. They offer up what we call the Blue Diamond System.! With some 30+ kilometers of non groomed fun your can find some incredible funs. These trails are un groomed and can offer up some great skiing when conditions are right. Since these trails are un-groomed, they can also get rutted and become icy. You want to take these trails on after fresh snow has fallen. There are more trails we will be posting here soon.... SKI TRAIL REGULATIONS:  ( From USFS Web Site) Dogs are not permitted on the groomed trails of either the cross country ski center or on the Shady Rest Trail System (Loops A, B, and C.). A public use corridor exists on a portion of the Lake Mary Road in the Lakes Basin where dogs are permitted when they are on a leash of not greater than 6 feet. Dogs may not be possessed by anyone skiing on a trail where dogs are prohibited even if the dog is not walking directly on the trail. Walking is prohibited on any Blue Diamond Trail. This prohibition exists tree line to tree line in width along the length of the Blue Diamond Trail. Snowshoeing is not permitted on the groomed trails of either cross country ski center or on the Shady Rest Trail System (Loops A, B, and C). This prohibition is also tree line to tree line. Snowmobiles or any other motorized vehicle are prohibited on the groomed trails of either cross country ski center and on any Blue Diamond Trail. Snowmobiles may cross Blue Diamond ski trails at right angles to reach their destination. Certain areas may be closed to entry by snowmobile. Check the ' Winter Recreation Map ' for these areas. Bicycles are prohibited on the groomed trails of either cross country ski center and on all marked ski trails when there is sufficient snow for skiing. FOR MORE INFORMATION Mammoth Ranger Station 760-924-5500. Mono Lake Ranger District in Lee Vining 760-647-6525. White Mountain Ranger District in Bishop 760- 873-2500.