Overview
This summit holds my title to being the highpoint of Mammoth Crest, a prime backcountry destination for local hikers and wilderness skiers, about the Town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. Another peak just to the north is given, on the old 15' topo, as 11,348 feet, and it seems to be lower.
The crest ridge is seen from many points about the town, and from U.S. 395. It entails a class 1, four mile hike, with 2,100 feet gain, one way, over mostly excellent trail. A slight, cross-country, class 1 climb is necessary to reach the class 2 summit rock. No signs, trails, use trails, or footpaths indicate this last, short, portion of the peak route. Only a few people a year sign in the register.
Getting There
Follow the signs toward Lake Mary from the Town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. The main road, CA 203, straight through town, leads directly here. Go straight towards Lake Mary, at the stop light, instead of turning right on the Minarets Road. A few miles further along, turn left on the signed road to Lake George, follow another sign, and park at the day use lot next to the campground. Facilities are available. The trail headed northward from the lot, marked Crystal Crag, and Crystal Lake, is the one to take.
Hiking a mile or so, up, follow the sign up along the trail, right, to "Mammoth Crest." Upon passing the high, polished wooden, inscribed bench with a view, and then some 150 feet past it, take the downhill fork to the left. Follow this trail south, which climbs and drops, then, to a saddle with a view down to the left (east). Maybe several hundred yards past this big notch in the crest, head up left at the trail's highpoint before it drops down toward Deer Lakes. Hike cross-country to the top of the crest, and if you have navigated correctly, come to the rocks on the slight promontory jutting out from the cliffs. The obvious highpoint is the pointed rock, and there is a short 10 foot use trail leading to it, with a big drop off to its right. Safe enough for most climbers, only mentally debilitated hikers would lose their balance to fall off this way. Care should be taken with snow or ice, however. A hands-on scramble over rocks to the left might make some feel safer.
Red Tape
No permits or fees for day use or to park. Restrooms may be locked outside the regular tourists' season, in summer. This is all USFS land, so they have many regulations. You will be entering the John Muir Wilderness, despite the trailhead sign indicating the "Ansel Adams Wilderness."
When To Climb
Most seem to climb in summer. In Winter and Spring, this is said to be a fine backcountry skiers' destination. Beware of avalanches, then, and ice on the summit rocks. Usually a huge cornice presents a hazard to those unaware of the tremendous drop-off to the east. The road is plowed only so far in the winter, usually about the outlet of Twin Lakes, so this presents a far longer climb in the ski season.
Camping
There are no great, established campsites enroute. No huts or yurts. There is no water along this trail, aside from any residual snow early in the summer. There is plenty of lodging in the Town of Mammoth Lakes. The USFS visitor center, a now privately run, former USFS campground ($15/night), and an RV park mark the main entry to this large ski town.
Mountain Conditions
Mammoth Mountain live cam and the Inyo National Forest offer updated information, most of the time.
Miscellaneous Info
Many maps conflict on what is exactly "Mammoth Crest." I am going by my old 15' minute USGS topo, which does show the name stretched out far to the east of Deer Lakes, but then too far to be within the "4" miles once indicated by the trail sign! I recall one or two maps show this part of the rim as "Mammoth Crest" and no further, but purists will argue about this. Indeed, if the entire rim of ridges and peaks surrounding the town is really what is "Mammoth Crest," I am so dead wrong! That would make Bloody Mountain (12,544') the true highpoint!
But it is a great, shorter, peak hike, offering a slight challenge and spectacular views for the effort!
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