The Inyo National Forest offers up some great dirt roads to ride with a bit of single-track thrown in. If you get out and ride a lot you will notice there are all sorts of single tracks out there to ride that are unmarked.

The routes below will offer You up hours of incredible free riding under the Eastern Sierra skies. Everything from dirt roads, single tracks, hill climbs, and river crossings.

While you’re are out enjoying our Forests, please stay on established routes and trails that are signed.

I will add more rides to this list soon. Snowman

Inyo Craters Loop Cross Country Ride

Length – 10.5 miles of Intermediate Riding – Elevation around 8000 feet

Take Main Street up to Minaret Road, take a right, and drive in the direction of Mammoth Mountains Main Lodge. You will pass right by The Village on your way out of town. 

About a mile out of town take a right at the Mammoth Scenic Loop.  Follow this paved road for about 2.6 miles to the Inyo Craters turnoff. 

Take a left and follow the signs to the parking lot at the Inyo Craters Trail Head.  Park at the trailhead parking lot (bathroom area at the lot). 

This Mtn Bike loop begins about a mile before the parking lot and heads out to the west.  There are Mountain Bike Trail Signs that mark the trail.

Please note there is one creek crossing along this simple flat route.  On most days you can avoid getting wet by carrying your bike to the next upstream crossing.  

This ride sits right in the middle of the largest Jeffrey Pine forests in the World. 

While you’re at the parking area making sure you take the short hike to see the Inyo Craters. Just follow the foot trail from the parking area. 

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Hard Core Hill Climbing/Downhill @ Minerate Vista

Length – 2.5 miles / Advanced to Very Strenuous Riding – Elevation is above 9000 feet

Take Minaret Road Hwy. 203 past Mammoth Mountains Main Lodge Area. About 2 miles up the road you need to turn right just before the Reds Meadow entrance station. 

Park in the dirt parking area almost immediately to your right. (Other websites say to park at the vista, please park as we note here so the vista lot is not filled up.)

The dirt road starting here is a USFS Designated Mtn Bike and 4×4 Route. Be ready to climb 1,500 feet in about 2.5 miles, this is a lung buster for those living at low elevations.

This ride is taking you up the San Joaquin Ridge, and it’s steep, very steep. There is a reason we have called it Hard Core since the 80s. 

This ride offers up great views of the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Mammoth Mountain, Long Valley Caldera, and the Minarets. Be prepared for cooler temperatures and strong afternoon breezes.

The summit of this ride is at 10,700-ft. Carry extra water for this 2.5 miles is going to tax your body hard! 

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Big and Little Smokey Loops

Length – 13 miles/ 6.1 miles/ Intermediate-Advanced

Head South out of Mammoth and take Hwy. 395 north for about 4 miles.  You will see a  dirt road on the right side of the highway with a big sign and a dirt parking area, park here.

Two USFS Mountain Bike Trails begin from this parking area. The Big Smokey Loop takes you on a climb into the adjacent hills where the views, trees, and interesting reddish rock formations add to the aesthetics of the ride. This area is also home to a bunch of wooding operations so watch for trucks. 

The Little Smokey Loop offers a pleasant cruise through the local sagebrush, tall grasses, and many local wildflowers of the eastside.  

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Inyo Craters Spur Single Track

Length – 3 miles – Intermediate Riding
This route starts from the Inyo Craters Loop (See B3) and provides some sections of quality single-track. This route ascends through the pine forest and ends at the Mammoth Scenic Loop.

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Lower Rock Creek – 8.1/16.2 miles, 6,880-4,840’ elevation, 100% single track, Medium technicality, Moderate effort

Sand Canyon (loop) – 12.6/24.5 miles, 6,200-10,200’ elevation, 25% single track, Difficult technicality, Strenuous effort

Deep Canyon Loop – 9 miles, 6,070-4,900’ elevation, 40% single track, Medium technicality, Strenuous effort

Click Here for Mountain Bike Trails in the Mammoth Lakes Area