[fred.r]

My roommates and I are heading up to Mammoth Mt. Aug. 2nd though the 6th. We plan on riding the bike park and the lifts everyday. So I'm curious, having never gone, what is the best way to do a trip like this.
Here is our rough plan; we plan on leaving early Weds morn. and finding a camp site my roommate clames is first come first serve (hence the mid week arival). After staking our plot and setting up camp, we just plan on heading to the Mt., buy our days lift tickets, ride, and repeat over the next 4 days.
My questions are, how busy are the camp sites up there? Should we book in advance if that's even possible? Any other sugestions on lodging (we are "starving students" so money is an issue.)
What's the best method for lift tickets? I saw on Mammoths site they offer day lift passes, which run $56 a day, or they offer the Adventure pass for like $175 which says "unlimited summer riding." or something... Anyone buy the Adventure pass and what exactly is it?
Should we just buy the lift passes for $56 a day?
Anyways, this is just a general Q&A thread about what to expect in Mammoth having never gone, experances, the good and the bad, ect.... any help is welcome. Thanks.

 

[merrrrjig]

Read again! Winter lift tickets are $56! Summer is only $35, and you can get a 3 day pass for $90. There are many camp sites and you will pretty much always have a spot open. I think that there is something like 5 public campgrounds in mammoth. You shouldnt get a pass cuz you would just be wasting it if you are only going up there for 4 days.

 

[BillT]

Passes for the bike park are $35/day or $62 for a 2-day pass. I'd get the 2 day pass and repeat for the 4 days of riding.

The lift lines at Mammoth are ridiculously short so you'll spend most of your time riding and not waiting in line. The run a high speed 4 person gondola and they load and unload the bikes on for you which is nice.

Mammoth has a huge variety of trails so you can do an almost epic full top to bottom run of almost 15 miles and almost 3k feet of descending or hit one of their more technical DH's (Velocity, Chainsmoke, Bullet) for a quicker trip down. The Kamikaze is nice for a full-on high speed trip down the mountain and with the new offshoot of the trail, Shock Treatment, about 2/3rd's of way down, there are a couple of small jumps and some steep stuff through trees that is pretty cool. Mammoth is opening some new trails this summer and had some new stuff open last year (DC-10) that I didn't get a chance to ride, but I heard it was pretty decent.

If you are taking 2 vehicles, I would highly recommend shuttling Lower Rock Creek which is a cool DH trail a little south of Mammoth. The folks at Footloose Sports in Mammoth can give you detailed directions.

 

[fred.r]

Thanks alot for the info. I just glanced on Mammoths site and must have read the wrong part.

 

[adamantane]

My roommates and I are heading up to Mammoth Mt. Aug. 2nd though the 6th. We plan on riding the bike park and the lifts everyday. So I'm curious, having never gone, what is the best way to do a trip like this.
Here is our rough plan; we plan on leaving early Weds morn. and finding a camp site my roommate clames is first come first serve (hence the mid week arival). After staking our plot and setting up camp, we just plan on heading to the Mt., buy our days lift tickets, ride, and repeat over the next 4 days.
My questions are, how busy are the camp sites up there? Should we book in advance if that's even possible? Any other sugestions on lodging (we are "starving students" so money is an issue.)
What's the best method for lift tickets? I saw on Mammoths site they offer day lift passes, which run $56 a day, or they offer the Adventure pass for like $175 which says "unlimited summer riding." or something... Anyone buy the Adventure pass and what exactly is it?
Should we just buy the lift passes for $56 a day?
Anyways, this is just a general Q&A thread about what to expect in Mammoth having never gone, experances, the good and the bad, ect.... any help is welcome. Thanks.

shady rest is the campground your buddies prolly talkin about, this is a great site since its loacation is just perfect...only about a 5 mile ride up to the main lifts...anyway, i suggest getting a reservation, this place fills fast in summer time, mostly filled with people who don't ride bikes...because the site is so close to mammoth (walking distance to fastfood) it will fill fast, and throw in Murphy's and it will packed when you want it

get the reservation and you'll be stylin'...see you up there!

 

[merrrrjig]

If you are riding for more than 3 days, try dealing with the people to give you a deal on a 4 day pass, I think we did that a while ago. Shady rest is a very nice campground, and if it is full, you can try the lakes region campground

 

[lord.of.ladders]

theres tons of great camping all around town thats free and you don't need reservations , for starters the prarie just south of town is full of natural hot tubs , and camping spots are usaly pretty open mid week and by the weekend there will be tons of hot hippie chicks wanting to hang at your camp site cause its close to the hot springs, dead mans creek is also great ( 5 miles north of town) no tourist or loud familys and plenty of running water to catch your dinner.............

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

after riding hit up the hot springs........keeps away the sore muscles

 

[hardtailll]

ill be up there the last day you are there the 6th ill be riding a 05 stinky with 66's

see ya there

 

[fred.r]

Thanks everybody for the advice, it's much appreciated.
The hot springs tip is also noted, I'm sure we will be beat to hell after the first day or two, and hopefully the hippie chicks dig skinny dipping, that would take my mind off any sore muscles.
lord.of.ladders, do I need specific directions to the free camp sites or will it be pretty obvious as to where we can go? Free sounds great I just want to make sure we find it because I may not make reservations now.
And if anyone is up the same week feel free to say what's up, I'm sure at night we will be cooking on the fire and drinking or something, and anyone's welcome to join us.

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

The hot springs tip is also noted, I'm sure we will be beat to hell after the first day or two, and hopefully the hippie chicks dig skinny dipping, that would take my mind off any sore muscles..

nah it is more wide open with many families.....so bring your trunks

 

[#1ORBUST]

Mammoth is Fun!!!

 

[fred.r]

nah it is more wide open with many families.....so bring your trunks

oh well....

 

[fred.r]

Mammoth is Fun!!!

 

[ride5]

I was up last weekend and tickets were only $30 because only the lower half of the mtn was open.

As far as lodging, camping is a good idea. Lots of camp sites in town. You could also look into the hostel up there too.