Follow the links to detailed trail descriptions and directions.
I recently took a trip to the Mammoth/Owens Valley area. My
brother Al moved to Chalfant (15 miles north of Bishop) in July. The last
two trips over there we have been eyeing Mt. Morrison. Before he moved there
we always camped at Convict Lake and you can see Mt. Morrison just to the
south. The other thing you can see from Convict and Hwy 395 are the switchbacks
that go up to Mt. Morrison. They actually lead to Mt. McGee but you will understand
if you decide to take this one on. Our dad and his buddy used to take us up
those switchbacks when we were kids. We would camp at the top. I think they
just liked to keep us as far away from other folks as possible. ;-)
So we've been looking at these switchbacks for a couple of years now and
talking about maybe riding the bikes up there. I mean we had already ridden
up the Laurel Lakes trail, how much harder could it be? (A bit actually) So
this year we decided it was now or never. I'm not sure I'll do it again but
it was worth all that walking. This is the physically toughest ride I have
done to date.
What is becoming our favorite in the Mammoth Lakes area is the Mountain
View Ride combined with the Uptown/Downtown single track loop. We discovered
that the loop closest to the road is for riders going up. Moderately easy
ride.
Another ride is just north of Bishop that snakes along Lower
Rock Creek.
This can be done as a loop or a gradual downhill with shuttle. Beware of poison
oak. Moderately difficult due to the technical sections.
I do not guarantee the accuracy of any trail descriptions so always go
prepared.
