Mammoth-LAUREL LAKES (Trip Report)

[Joanna]

Steve,
I love your trip reports.
I'm going to start adopting that quantitative style you employ at the beginning. It's great.
However, one problem: your description makes me so very homesick.

[cellularSTEVE]

Originally Posted by Joanna

Steve,
I love your trip reports.
I'm going to start adopting that quantitative style you employ at the beginning. It's great.
However, one problem: your description makes me so very homesick.

Glad you liked it Joanna. Glad to hear you and your mom are doing OK. We need to hear an updated report from you. Don't want you to be homesick.

steve

[EMrider]

Those pics are outstanding. Thanks.

I have not been up there in a couple years and forgot how scenic the road is, especially the meadow about 2/3 of the way up.

We're heading up to Mammoth today for a two week visit and I may head up there for a night or two of camping with the kids.

Two questions:

1) I assume that lockers were not necessary?
2) Did you need to climb any part of the road in 4wd low ratio, or could you make the whole thing in high?

I've got an EB and am not an experienced off roader so I may be reporting back about an 11 point turn on that final switchback.

Rob

[cellularSTEVE]

Originally Posted by EMrider

Those pics are outstanding. Thanks.

Two questions:

1) I assume that lockers were not necessary?
2) Did you need to climb any part of the road in 4wd low ratio, or could you make the whole thing in high?

I've got an EB and am not an experienced off roader so I may be reporting back about an 11 point turn on that final switchback.

Rob

Thanks for the compliment EMRider. I highly recommend you go as long as you feel comfortable. That last turn is a bit unnerving.

To answer your questions:
1) I don't have lockers on this rig. On my Jeep I have ARB lockers and often turn them on for added safety (I would turn them on and off at will during the turn). However you do not need lockers at all here, in my opinion.

2)On the way up I used 2WD for most of the parts to the meadow, with 4WD here and there. Then used 4WD-High nearly the whole way after the meadow. But for sure you need 4WD-Low on the descents. Especially that last switchback. Never rely on your brakes. There is slipage on the last switchback and 4WD-Low is necessary both on the way down and on the way back up. You don't want to be swtiching this while on the switchback. When in doubt I use 4WD-Low. For an inexpoerienced driver I recommend using low more than high on this trail.

Have fun and report back!

steve

[cellularSTEVE]

Two more thoughts EMRider:

1-For sure, I suggest you air down your tires at the beginning of the trail. I aired down to 30lbs on my BFGs AT 285-75-16s (I think that is what I have).

2-On that last switchback there is enough run-up so you can pull forward and then back down the switchback. The trail is wide enough to do that if you feel comfortable backing up a few hundred feet. I know other guys that have done that with adventure trailers. But coming up though, you would have to decide if you want to back up the switchback.

this is just another option.

steve

[EMrider]

Thanks for the info Steve. Very helpful. We're in Mammoth now and will probably visit Laurel lake later this week. I may go up there in my Sequoia first and then give it a try in the SMB.
R

[cellularSTEVE]

Great idea EMRider. Let us know what you think and take some photos. I heard that there may have been a small fire near there last week after I got back. Is there any smoke up there?

steve

[EMrider]

Originally Posted by cellularSTEVE

Great idea EMRider. Let us know what you think and take some photos. I heard that there may have been a small fire near there last week after I got back. Is there any smoke up there?

steve

Yep, there was a fire in that general area (actually, closer to the MX track) that burned for about a week. It was fully contained on Sunday and is largely out now. No smoke anywhere. I don't like fires anywhere near Mammoth! Post the Tahoe fire debacle, fuel thinning is now a major priority for the city.
Rob

[charlie56]

Well you inspired me so much I had to do this one as well. Thats one bumpy-ass ride. I had no problem with the last switchback going down. I couldn't match your 3-pointer, with my EB I made it a 4-point turn. But coming back up was a whole different story. I cut it way too wide and hung the front passenger tire over the edge. Oh the pucker factor was high for a time. My wife was using every spotter hand signal known to man including curling up into the fetal position. Those loose scree ledges ...

[cellularSTEVE]

Hi Charlie,
Glad my trip report inspired you to do the trip. Well worth it!

I know what you mean about tackling that turn on the uphill. I misjudged it a bit. It is scary looking down. My wife did the crazy hand movements too.

Did you end up camping there too? Was anyone else there?

Post some photos if you can.

steve