SHARP Environmental Review: Phase I

The Mammoth Ranger District of the Inyo National Forest, in partnership with the Town of Mammoth Lakes completed necessary environmental review and trail improvements in the Sherwins area to provide diverse trail-based recreational opportunities near the Town of Mammoth Lakes while protecting natural and cultural resources. The improvements included repair and rehabilitation of user-created trails as well as construction of two new non-motorized trails.

For this project, a Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) were prepared.

The newly constructed trails can be viewed on mammothtrails.org:

THE FOLLOWING TRAIL ALIGNMENT CONCEPTS WERE INCLUDED IN SHARP PHASE I. ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS ARE LISTED BELOW.

NEPA

USFS District Ranger's decision memo to approve the construction of two new trails by restoring unsustainable user trails to be included in the Inyo National Forest Trail System. These trails will be constructed and maintained by the Town of Mammoth Lakes under a Challenge Cost Share Agreement.

CEQA

Town of Mammoth Lakes Notice of Exemption for Sherwins Area Trails, consisting of Construction of one new soft surface single-track trail that totals about two miles in length, and rehabilitation of one existing user created trail that is not sustainable.

TRAIL ALIGNMENT STUDY FOR SHARP ID #13

Alignment Proposal for Map SHARP Map ID #S13. The trail is meant primarily as a connector from the Sherwins Trailhead to the Mammoth Rock Trail. This connection will enable users to exit the Mammoth Rock Trail and make a direct connection to the larger Mammoth Lakes Trail System.

TRAIL ALIGNMENT STUDY FOR SHARP ID #18

Alignment Proposal for Map SHARP Map ID #S18. This trail is intended to reroute and formalize the existing and unsustainable use trail connection that currently links the central section of the Mammoth Rock Trail to the proposed loop trail around the Sherwins Meadow.

Last Updated February 20, 2024