LABSS Trail Construction

In 2008, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy awarded the Town of Mammoth Lakes a grant to complete recreation and mobility planning in the much-loved and heavily visited Mammoth Lakes Basin. In partnership with the Inyo National Forest, MLTPA, and the Mammoth Lakes community, the Lakes Basin Special Study, or LABSS, kicked off in the summer of 2010, wrapping up in 2012, with recommendations for soft surface trail construction in the Lakes Basin. As a result of this process, staff from the Town of Mammoth Lakes Office of Outdoor Recreation completed construction of several new trails in the Lakes Basin in 2022. They also completed extensive maintenance on trails to improve drainage and user experiences and protect natural resources, and the soft surface trail network is continually expanding.

For the next phases of trail work in the Lakes Basin, the Inyo National Forest Supervisor has provided direction to USFS staff to work with The Town of Mammoth Lakes to develop projects building on important community driven planning efforts such as LABSS that will complement the landscape and work well for the community and visitors.

Soft Surface Trails Designed and Constructed from LABSS

The Mammoth Lakes Trail System (MLTS) encompasses an extensive network of multi-use, soft surface trails around the town, offering residents and visitors access to breathtaking viewpoints, unique natural environments, and immersive wilderness adventures.

Horseshoe Woods Trail

The western segment of Horseshoe Woods follows an old road bed on what was a portion of the Horseshoe Lake Loop. It then continues as a rolling contour trail over a nicely wooded ridge, through a predominately lodgepole pine forest to Lake Mamie and connects with Mamie Woods.

Mamie Woods Trail

Mamie Woods includes segments of reconstructed user-created trails and rolling contour trail. The views along the shore of Lake Mamie provide a serene experience for all trail users. The wooded environment and rocky shoreline provide a natural playground for families.

Dog Boulder Trail

This trail is a reconstructed user-created trail that has been improved for a non-motorized multi-use experience. Dog Boulder is a beautiful granite specimen that is popular for climbing and can be found at the western terminus of Dog Boulder Trail.

The Mammoth Lakes Trail System

The Mammoth Lakes Trail System offers boundless recreation opportunities on more than 300 miles of trails. Managed jointly by the Town of Mammoth Lakes and the Inyo National Forest, the system includes connections to 3 wilderness areas, Devils Postpile National Monument, the PCT, and more.

Last updated January 23, 2024