Steve's Mountain Bike Page
Turlock, California

Mammoth Mountain, California

July 24 - 25, 2005

Take me to the videos. A few days ago I happened to check the Mammoth Mountain website and it said that 90% of the trails were open. Tim (UncleMTB) and I did two days there last year and we had a blast. So we quickly got it together and booked the "stay and bike" package, which includes a room and unlimited lift tickets, for two days. The weather was perfect, perhaps 75 - 80 degrees, there were clear blue skies, and we got a room about three times larger than last year. On the 24th we did Off the Top and down Beach Cruiser to the lodge. We had hoped to take Gravy Train across the mountain to some of the XC on the other side of the park, but it was not open. So on the next ride we got off the gondola at McCoy station and then took Brake Through to Downtown, ended up in town, and then took the shuttle back. Since we had a bit more time we then did Off the Top and Beach Cruiser again. 

On the 25th we met up with Brian (Mammothman) a local. Since Off the Top was the only open trail from the top of the mountain we took that down to Beach Cruiser again but then we took Mountain View down and outside the Bike Park, and then took some XC trails which dumped us out about half way between the lodge and town. We then took Downtown back into town and returned via the shuttle. Brian was quite good but he hung back with us most of the time. Since I normally only ride once per week I was taking a bit of a chance with the knees riding XC the second day. But, except for a pace faster than I would do by myself, it was a pretty good ride, considering the altitude. 

Last year Tim and I were terrified by the gondola rides. But this year it wasn't too bad, perhaps because a lot of the rocks below were covered by snow. We had a great time and I reached a speed of 25 mph, the fastest I've ever gone on singletrack, on the last Off the Top ride. Perhaps the trails were in better shape, I'm a better rider, and/or the new Stumpjumper with bigger tires made the difference this year. Because I felt fairly confident and I rode fairly aggressively, at least for me. Tim was doing a  lot of jumps and launches off rocks and roots and I occasionally followed his lead. The switchbacks were not a problem except on the last run down Off the Top because I was taking them faster than I would like in order to keep up with Tim and Brian. I fell twice but the sand was like falling into a big bowl of puffed rice. I also fell on the XC trail outside the bike park when I ran into a small log in the middle of the trail. But that fall was also quite humorous. Here is a pdf trail map.

When we came off the trails on Sunday some kids were doing some dirt jumps so I stopped to take some photos. I also pointed my helmet cam at them and I got some decent video. It is also posted on my videos page.

Click on an image to enlarge it

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The Mammoth Loading up From gondola From gondola From gondola From gondola
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On top From gondola From gondola Scenery From gondola Tim
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Tim, Brian McCoy Station Scenery Tim Tim Off the Top
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Reds Lake Scenery Scenery Off the Top Bike shuttle Tim talking
Marins
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Jumping Jumping Jumping Jumping Jumping Jumping
 

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