4x4 Trails:
Old Road into Mammoth Lakes
Mono County, California

The old highway into Mammoth leaves State Route 203 only feet from its junction with US395. The current route CA203 takes the traveler to Mammoth in 2.6 miles, whereas the old road meandered for 4.0 miles. In the days that this old road was in use, Mammoth Lake's town center was farther south than it is today and the old road hit it dead center. In those days, Mammoth as a ski area was in its infancy – it was more of a summertime village and generally closed down to only a handful of hearty souls that stuck out the deep snows that measure in the tens of feet and often is found on the ground from October to May – and after a particularly heavy winter, lingering into July.

But today Mammoth is a swanky ski area in winter, a posh and trendy small city and recreation area in summertime. It now relatively sprawls over an area farther north than in days of old. The old road aims dead center into what is now called “Old Mammoth,” which is mostly residential homes and the Snowcreek golf course. This road also is an alternative access to the Mammoth Lakes Basin, which lies above Mammoth Lakes and to the south of massive Mammoth Mountain; and is popular for camping, fishing and hiking/backpacking access to the western Sierra Nevada via relatively low and easy Mammoth Pass.

Though listed among the true 4x4 trails on my website, the old road into Mammoth Lakes breaks the mold by being easily navigated by any vehicle, including automobiles if piloted with care. Sections and bits of old pavement are found all along the way. There are a few places where small rocks poke up through the road's surface, but easily maneuvered around for those with automobiles and cross-over SUVs (such as Subaru Legacy sedans or wagons). Four-wheel-drive is only necessary if portions of the route are muddy, or patches of snow still lie on the road's surface in late spring if it's been a particularly heavy winter. This route provides the leisurely traveler with an alternative and scenic route into Mammoth instead of the busy CA203 a short distance north.

Since this route was the original road accessing Mammoth Lakes, my description will travel westbound along with travelers of old. The route can be run either direction with ease.

To reach the old road to Mammoth, exit US395 at CA203, signed for Mammoth Lakes. If exiting US395 from the southbound lanes, when reaching the end of the offramp, turn right onto CA203 and travel about 600 feet; you will see the paved start of the route turning off the left side of CA203. Those exiting the northbound lanes, turn west (left) on CA203 and go under the US395 overpass. It is about a quarter mile to the turnoff on the left side of the highway to where our byway starts.

Our byway is paved at first. There are generally a few autos and trucks parked at the start of the route, these belonging to commuters who carpool to points north or south. The route first makes a turn due east and appears as if it's going to get right back on US395, coming very close to the southbound onramp to the highway. It then turns southeast and follows the highway for about a third of a mile.

At a point 0.4 tenths of a mile after turning onto our byway, the road will turn sharply right and to the southwest, and turn to dirt another tenth of a mile further. Here, a sign indicates restrictions along this route and another indicates it is now Inyo National Forest route 3S09.

At first the byway runs along Mammoth Creek. Then at point 1.0 mile after starting this route, the road branches. Follow the curve to the right, the road now turning back northeast and climbing the low rise to the south.

At a point 1.2 mile after starting the route, the road will top the low ridge. Look to your right and you will see where you started this route – only 375 feet away!

At the top of the low ridge, our byway will trend southwestward and enter a dense forest of Jeffery pine at a mile and a half.

At the 1.7 mile mark, a cattle guard is crossed.

At the 2.0 mile mark, the forest opens up and the massive mound that is Mammoth Mountain comes into full view.

At the 3.7 mile mark, you will now enter the backside of a park that straddles Mammoth Creek. There is a paved walking and bicycle path, restrooms, benches, picnic tables and racks to lock up your bicycle.

The route physically ends at Old Mammoth Road. To reach the commercial areas of town, turn right. There is the large plaza with a Vons supermarket, as well as many other shops about 0.2 tenths of a mile up the street; the Mammoth Lakes Police Department is on the opposite side of Old Mammoth Road at the same point. There are many restaurants in Mammoth Lakes, as well as shops, coffee houses, lodging. The large Mammoth Hospital is found by going to the first signal light on Old Mammoth Road (just past the Vons shopping center), turn right and go to the stop sign. Turn left at the stop sign and the hospital is a short distance on your right.

To those wishing to enjoy a round of golf, the fishing opportunities of the Mammoth Lakes Basin, or to hike or backpack up and over the Sierra crest; turn left at the stop sign at Old Mammoth Road. The road will pass by the large Snowcreek golf course, many homes and tracts on both sides of the road. Old Mammoth Road will begin to climb and in 2.5 miles from where you turned will turn to dirt. At a point nearly 3.0 miles, you will reach the historic site of Mill City, marked by mine dumps and ruins of collapsed log structures. At 3.2 miles, Old Mammoth Road will dead end into Lake Mary Road. Turning right will take the traveler to Twin Lakes and eventually back to Mammoth Lakes. A left turn will take the traveler to the remainder of the lakes, lodges and campgrounds in the basin via a series of roads, all signed.

Enjoy your leisurely reconnoiter into Mammoth Lakes! It's like going back in time when cars were larger, traffic was smaller and time was leisurely. After four miles, you will be suddenly snapped back to the present, where you can continue with whatever recreational endeavor it was that brought you here in the first place.

Click on any photo below to open them to full size.

©2007 D.A. Wright
All Rights Reserved

Page Revised: 04/03/2007