The A Trail, a popular winter artery that runs north from the OSV parking and staging area at Shady Rest to its intersection with Bald Mountain Road at the southern edge of the Mono Basin, is part of the Winter Grooming Snowmobile System for over-snow vehicle (OSV), or snowmobile, use. The route traverses a big part of the largest Jeffrey pine forest in the world. Groomed and marked with orange diamonds and intersection signs, the trail crosses through the OSV tunnel under Hwy 395 just south of the Mammoth Scenic Loop and then skirts along the base of Lookout Mountain. After crossing Owens River Road, the trail climbs more than 1000 feet out of the Owens Basin. The Winter Grooming Snowmobile System is groomed by the U.S. Forest Service with funding provided by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, using monies generated by registration fees and gasoline taxes.
A Trail - Groomed Snowmobile Trail 13.2 mi
Conditions Update
- 01/10/2025: Access real-time grooming updates click HERE.
Avalanche Forecast for 01/20/2025
- AVALANCHE FORECAST: Triggering an avalanche remains unlikely. Be cautious of isolated instabilities near and around extreme terrain features. Specialized tools like an ice axe and crampons may be necessary on slick and variable surfaces. Find out More
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Trail Activities
Public Services
Trail Information
- Snow
- A standard ramp is 8%. Conditions subject to change.
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This trail is accessed from the junction of Highway 395 and USFS Route 3S06 or from the Shady Rest Winter Trailhead.
- Get driving directions to Junction of Highway 395 and USFS Route 3S06
- Get driving directions to Shady Rest Winter Trailhead
- Get public-transit options*
*Note that not all facilities are accessible via public transit.
Related Destinations
Lookout Mountain
- Hours/Season: N/A | Year Round
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Shady Rest Park
- Hours/Season: Day use only | Year Round
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Shady Rest Winter Motorized Trailhead
- Hours/Season: None | Winter
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Related Destinations
| Destination | Activities and Services |
|---|---|
| Lookout Mountain |
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| Shady Rest Park |
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| Shady Rest Winter Motorized Trailhead |
|
Related Experiences
Dog Sledding the A, B, K Trails Loop
9.0 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Snow,
- Duration: Half day
Dog Sledding the Lookout Mountain Loop
7.4 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Snow,
- Duration: Half day
Snowmobiling Shady Rest to Bald Mountain
52.3 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Snow,
- Duration: Half day
Snowmobiling Shady Rest to Deadman Creek
22.3 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Snow,
- Duration: Half day
Snowmobiling Shady Rest to Minaret Vista
23.2 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Snow,
- Duration: Half day
Snowmobiling the A Trail and L Trail from Sawmill Cutoff Road to Lookout Mountain
11.0 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Snow,
- Duration: Half day
Related Experiences
| Experience | Rating | Length (mi) | Surface | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Sledding the A, B, K Trails Loop | 9.0 | Snow | Half day | |
| Dog Sledding the Lookout Mountain Loop | 7.4 | Snow | Half day | |
| Snowmobiling Shady Rest to Bald Mountain | 52.3 | Snow | Half day | |
| Snowmobiling Shady Rest to Deadman Creek | 22.3 | Snow | Half day | |
| Snowmobiling Shady Rest to Minaret Vista | 23.2 | Snow | Half day | |
| Snowmobiling the A Trail and L Trail from Sawmill Cutoff Road to Lookout Mountain | 11.0 | Snow | Half day |
