nesdog

I'll be in town in a week or so for two nights. Thinking of taking off early one morning while the family is still sleeping. Considering the scenic route from town that works its way back to 395 and then finishing the loop...looks to be about 15 miles. Any information on this one? Rest of our rides will be with the wife and teenage daughter around the village, I would guess.

gw_12

Nice route. I do remember some nasty expansion cracks in the road last time I rode it, but it may have been repaved by now.

I'd highly recommend riding north on 395 over Deadman Summit to the June Lake loop. It's one of the nicest rides you can do in that area. If you don't want to ride that distance (50-60 miles), you could drive to the southern intersection of the June Lake Loop and 395, ride the loop both ways (~30 miles). The southern end of the JLL is about 15 miles north on 395 of the main road into Mammoth.

SClaraPokeman

I rode from my hotel in Mammoth once to the Devil's Post Pile. It was a point and back ride, and was a nice climb and descent as I remember and in around 25 miles RT (?).

nesdog

Thanks for the responses. My only real limitation is having to be back for family activities so I have to cut it to an hour so I picked this route. Would love to ride up to JL.

We head up to Tahoe a few days later and I expect to get some good rides there.

Ben FR

When are you going to be there?

nesdog

We head up next weekend, 20th.

gpelpel

+1 on June Lake Loop... simply gorgeous. Easy parking at the south end of the loop next to the gas station.

As for the old road from downtown back to 395, I also remember the nasty connection joints, not pleasant.
The road to Devil's Post Pile will be quiet and won't require you to take the car.

bigbossman 

The "Scenic Route" is (I think) State Route 206. From where it connects to the road to the main lodge to HWY 395 is about 6 miles. A short climb up, and then a decent of varying steepness from shallow to fast all the way down. There used to be expansion joints to contend with, but the road was repaved about 2 years ago. From Mammoth down 206 to 395 and then down to the Mammoth main exit and back is about a 12 - 13 mile loop.

From Mammoth up to the lodge is a steady climb, and then a narrow, twisty, steepish descent down to Red's Meadow. The climb back is a tough one, I thought. No cars, but you'll have to contend with shuttle buses..... not a lot of fun but you should be safe.

The nicest "local ride" is to go down 206 to 395, go north to June Lakes Loop, do the loop, come back to 395 and then ride back south to Mammoth. IIRC, about 60 miles or so and the June Lake Loop is not something to be missed, and not something you'll forget for a long time. Just exquisite.

Another shorter ride is to go across town to Old Mammoth Road, and climb up to the Lake Mary Junction. Nice little loop up there, with stunning scenery and lots of lakes.

nesdog

Thanks, BBM and all. Good info there. Should be some fun times. We'll also have a week at North/West Tahoe and planning some routes there.

nesdog

Follow up: Did the scenic route a few days ago early in the morning. Really loved it, especially the 6 mile stretch back on 395 to town. Yeah, the road surface isn't great but just being out there as the sun came up and having the amazing views of the surrounding Sierra peaks made this portion one of my top 5 rides of the year. 18 miles total by the time I got back to the condo.

We've been in Tahoe the past week and getting excellent rides here as well.