Description

Mammoth Rock is “one of the iconic rides in the Mammoth Lakes Area,” [according to](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlPthDAotxI) pro mountain bike racer Phil Mooney.

This beautiful trail doesn’t look like much when you roll up to the trailhead, but after pedaling through some dry sagebrush, the singletrack quickly begins climbing up the nearby mountainside. After a few minutes of climbing, you’ll soon be enjoying expansive views of the valley below and the massive rock outcroppings above you.

The scenery from this ride is breathtaking and is as much a focal point as the singletrack ripping itself.

While overall the singletrack is pretty smooth, the smooth track is punctuated by substantial rock features.

Most of these features, and the trail tread itself, are quite exposed.

While a fall off the trail probably won’t be a deadly affair, suffice it to say that keeping your tires on the track is much better for your health. Simply riding out-and-back on Mammoth Rock is a pretty quick rip, so add in the Panorama Trail for a bit more mileage and a high-speed descent down dark, loamy singletrack.

Unlike most of the trails in Mammoth that consist of dry, loose pumice, Panorama runs through an old grove of trees that have deposited a loamy bed of rich, black dirt.

Savor this unique (for Mammoth) trail character! Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlPthDAotxI