MAMMOTH LAKES TRAIL SYSTEM (MLTS)
The Mammoth Lakes Trail System offers boundless recreation opportunities on more than 300 miles of trails. From granite crags to trout-stocked lakes, pine forests to alpine meadows, there’s something for all seasons, interests and abilities, motorized and non-motorized alike. Managed jointly by the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Inyo National Forest, the System includes connections to the Pacific Crest Trail, Devils Postpile National Monument, three wilderness areas, and more. Many of these attractions are accessible right from the center of town. Explore mammothtrails.org and discover the adventure of a lifetime!
PARTNERSHIP
Since 2006, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, the Inyo National Forest and have been working in partnership with the Mammoth Lakes community to define, develop and maintain some of the best alpine recreation area in the country. Through collaborative planning and stewardship within the Town’s sphere of influence, the Mammoth Lakes Trail System is maintained and improved as a comprehensive and sustainable recreation asset. Our community’s health, quality of life and local economy continue to improve along with it!
VISION
“The vision of the Mammoth Lakes Trail System Master Plan makes it unique. It envisions an integrated system of infrastructure and programs that support recreation and mobility simultaneously, by seamlessly connecting homes, hotels, businesses, recreation nodes, and backcountry experiences. It is based on the notion that the recreational trail experience begins when you leave your home or hotel, not just when you park your car at the trailhead. For this reason, this plan includes a strong focus on providing facilities that will improve access to trails from all modes of transportation.”
-Mammoth Lakes Trail System Master Plan, Executive Summary
GOVERNANCE & DIRECTION
In 2015, the Town of Mammoth Lakes contracted with Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR) to oversee a new Trail Coordination program adopted by the Town Council. Through this contract MLR provides program and fiscal oversight for the Mammoth Lakes Trail System and collaborates “with the Town and partners on providing recommendations to Town Council for the continuation, prioritization, implementation, and design of programs and services to support the Mammoth Lakes Trail System.” To achieve this MLR convenes and facilitates the Mammoth Trails Committee which meets regularly to provide direction and oversight for the Mammoth Lakes Trail System.
Click here for Mammoth Trails Committee meeting schedule and agendas
Additional information on the Trail Coordination Program
More information on MLTS Governance
FUNDING
The MLTS program is funded by the local special tax initiative Measure R (The Mammoth Lakes Trails, Parks and Recreation Investment Initiative) passed by the voters of Mammoth Lakes in 2008. This consistent public funding source, available for work within the Town’s municipal boundary, is complimented by grant opportunities, partner matching and the Town general fund.
PROJECTS
Explore current Trail System Projects like new trail building, Trail Days events, map updates and more on the Project Page (accessible through the orange button on the bottom of mammothtrails.org).These reflect priorities from the Trail System Master Plan set by the Trails Manager, and the Mammoth Trails Committee. An additional comprehensive library of documents related to current and future Trail System Projects is hosted on the Mammoth Lakes Trails & Public Access (MLTPA) website.
TRAIL CREW
In 2016 the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Inyo National Forest formalized an agreement for soft surface trail maintenance within the Town boundary. This program includes over 30 miles of soft surface trails. Each season the MLTS identifies issues and develops a strategy for maintenance and improvements. These trails are maintained by the summer seasonal trail crew. Winter seasonal trail crew grooms and maintains the winter non-motorized trail system at Shady Rest Park and the Sherwins Area.
WEBSITE
MAMMOTHTRAILS.ORG is a comprehensive guide for the MLTS including directions, maps, trail information suggested experiences, activities and more. The website was constructed and is maintained by MLTPA under contract with the Town and is made possible by local tax revenue from Measure R. A Memorandum of Understanding exists between the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Inyo National Forest for the operation and mangement of the site.
TRAIL INFORMATION
Stay up to date by liking the MLTS on Facebook, Instagram, or by joining the MLTS email list maintained by MLTPA. Or by checking the Trail Conditions page accessible through the upper right hand corner of mammothtrails.org.
HISTORY
The Trail System Master Plan (TSMP) was adopted by the Mammoth Lakes Town Council on October 19, 2011 along with the certification of its Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Plan includes the Sherwins Area Recreation Plan (SHARP), along with a Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (CEQA), and provides recommendations for the addition of new trails, pathways, signage and wayfinding, and associated amenities. The Master Plan and its Programmatic EIR were recommended for adoption by the Planning Commission in September 2011, and adopted by the Town Council the following month. On October 20, 2012, the community of Mammoth Lakes and partners celebrated the Grand Opening of the Mammoth Lakes Trail System, a desired and stated outcome of the Town of Mammoth Lakes Trail System Master Plan.
