If this feels like déjà vu, you’re not wrong. I’ve been wrestling with a few quirks on this new website, and unfortunately, some of my older posts vanished into the digital void. So, here’s round two of “Places to Ride” , Mammoth, CA.

I’ve ridden in a lot of places over my lifetime, spending many years in Southern California riding and racing dirt bikes. Desert riding is a unique experience I think everyone should try at least once. But when the heat is on, I recommend heading somewhere cooler — and Mammoth fits the bill perfectly.

The Mammoth area boasts over 2,000 miles of trails, many of which are snowmobile routes. Once summer hits and the snow melts, these trails transform into prime territory for side-by-sides. They wind through valleys and mountains on both sides of Highway 395. Most routes are non-technical, so while you can bring dirt bikes, technical riders might lose interest within an hour or so.

One popular ride takes you to the top of Bald Mountain, home to a ranger fire station and a “warm-up hut” stocked with a visitor logbook and various odds and ends left behind over the years. The view from the top is incredible — you can see Lake Crowley to the south and Mono Lake to the north.

There’s also a trail that leads to June Lake, perfect if you want to relax by the water. It’s usually crowded, and you’ll need to weave through campgrounds to get there. Please be courteous — keep speeds under 5 mph, minimize dust, and avoid unnecessary noise. It only takes a few clowns to ruin access for everyone.

From Mammoth, the trail network stretches all the way north to Mono Lake and Lee Vining. If you’re planning longer rides, carry extra fuel and a good map. Physical maps used to be easy to find at campgrounds, but this year they were harder to come by. Luckily, you can still find them online. One of them is located here but there are many others.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a695e1dbdeab4e8ba5c6ad4fd06a0ba0#zoom_to_selection=true

As for camping, there are countless primitive spots to pull off and set up. Many have bathrooms, but don’t expect electricity or running water. Keep your go pedal to a minimum — camp hosts and Forest Service rangers are quick to reprimand and, in some cases, hand out tickets to people who get out of line. Most are friendly, but I’ve run into a couple who weren’t, so it’s best to play it cool.

Overall, Mammoth is a fantastic place to escape the summer heat, camp under the stars, and explore miles of beautiful wilderness. Highly recommended!