Bearing Straits

Mammoth Mountain

A lengthy two-way singletrack trail that helps tie the mountain together.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance: 3.5 km
Ascent: 21 m
Descent: 158 m

Low Point: 2.8 km
High Point: 3 km
Gradient: 6˚

Description

Bearing Straits is yet another a two-way singletrack trail that allows trail riders to pedal up the mountain if they’d like, or downhillers to connect across the mountain to access other runs. For pedal-driven rides, Bearing Straits can be connected with Beach Cruiser and Gravy Train for a respectable vertical gain. Bearing Straits climbs up the sides of the volcano past 9,800 feet, stopping less than 1,200 feet from the summit.

The soil is classic Mammoth Mountain, consisting of dry, loose, dirt and sand between rough volcanic rocks. Despite the intermediate rating, rocks still appear in the trail tread and remind you that yes, you’re still riding a mountain bike! Compared to most of the other two-way trails, Bearing Straits has a few more difficult rock sections that could challenge intermediate riders. However, those sections are never very long.

Sources: https://d1pdyfnmzhu191.cloudfront.net/images/default-source/master/maps/2019bikeparktrailmapfront2000x1171-(2).jpg?sfvrsn=124bfa040 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVrNi-7jjuc

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.