Downhiller's Delight

Head to Mammoth's Adventure Center for all your biking needs (Photo courtesy of Mammoth Mountain)

Location
Mammoth Lakes, California, on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco

Contact Information

Phone: (800) 626-6684
Web site: www.mammothmountain.com

Directions

From Los Angeles (307 miles): Interstate 405 North to Interstate 5 North to CA 14 North to the town of Mojave. Take CA 14 North to U.S. 395 North (Reno/Bishop) to CA 203 (Mammoth Lakes Junction). Exit CA 203 and drive six miles to Mammoth Lakes.

From San Francisco (320 miles): Interstate 80 to U.S. 50 to the Kingsbury Grade cutoff to U.S. 395. South to CA 203

From Reno (160 miles; the closest airport): U.S. 395 South to CA 203

Road Conditions

Phone: 800-427-7623
Web site: www.dot.ca.gov

Summer Season
Late June to late September/early October (weather permitting)

A Few Select Trails

Beach Cruiser: Take the gondola to the top. Wind down Off the Top Trail (down the backside of the mountain) to Beach Cruiser, a wonderful pumice-y single-track that wraps around spectacular Red's Lake.

Paper Route: Runs from right in front of Mammoth Lodge to the far-east side of the mountain. Bestowed with an equivalent number of ups and downs, you can swoop through pines or stop to admire sweeping vistas.

Bullet: Take a clue from the name. You start from the top of the Canyon Express chair lift, then plummet 1,200 feet in a snot-smearing whoosh. A technical ride, with plenty of drop-offs.

Lodging

Mammoth Mountain RV Park: (760) 934-3822

Mammoth Mountain Chalets: Right across from the lifts and the Mountain Bike Park; (760) 934-8518; www.mammothmtnchalets.com

Holiday Inn: (760) 924-1234; http://www.ichotelsgroup.com

Eats

Berger's Restaurant: Massive burgers, heaping orders of ribs—reasonable prices; (760) 934-6222

Gomez's Restaurant: Great Mexican food, Dos Equis on tap; (760) 924-2693

Ocean Harvest: Great seafood, gorgeous mountain view—prices reflect this; (760) 934-8534