1-12-2025 – Good Day from Bishop, California. So, what’s up here in the Eastern Sierra and North Owens Valley area as far as Mountain Biking goes? The snow line is way up around the 7500-foot level with a 65% average snowpack above the 9000-foot level. All roads and trails below the Green Church on 395, are dry and rideable.
Yes, it’s cold early in the morning, so if you want to ride, wait until 11 a.m., when the highs around Toms Place and Upper Rock Creek reach the 40s. Down in the Bishop area, by 11 a.m., the temperature ranges from the upper 40s to the lower 50s.
Yes, the 40s and low 50s are chilly enough for most people to ride in. I layer up and wear full-length mountain bike gloves.
Currently, I wear the long Troy Lee Design pants and add full knee guards for my lower body. For the upper body, I wear three layers: the first is a light cycle jersey that wicks out moisture and sweat, and the middle layer is mid-weight and long-length, which also wicks out moisture.
Last, I have been adding a full-length jersey I wear in the bike park in the Summer. That setup is great when it’s 45-50 outside with lighter to moderate winds.
We went for a ride at 8 a.m. the other day, and it was 35 degrees out with an N wind at 10-20 MPH; I added a bottom base layer and a top hoody, and my body temperature was perfect the whole ride.
So yes, you can ride here in the winter and have a great time; you must be prepared to deal with the cold. You can also add a helmet sock until you warm up. I have used those when it is cloudy, cold, and snowing out on a ride.
Video Player: Make sure to select the 4K options to avoid grainy trail footage. Videos in 2025 are sponsored by The Footloose Sports Bike Shop. (Open May – September) Call them at 760-934-2400; they have EMTB Levos and Regular Stump Jumpers for rent.
(LRC) Lower Rock Creek Trail: All three sections are open, with the top having some icy and snow patches that are just about gone. You can learn more about LRC at this link. Also, please note that E-MTBs are OFFICIALLY NOT ALLOWED on this trail YET.
Sunny Slopes / Upper Gorge Loop is now ridable, but be aware that the dirt roads on this route still have some deep sand and snow paths in shady sections. Be ready to power through or use a Class 1 E-MTB Bike.
The Poleta Canyon OHV Area is located at the end of E Line St and has miles of open, ridable terrain. Poleta Ridge and Poleta Canyon Trail are open, as are all the OHV Roads and other unnamed single-track trails in that area.
White Mountain Road to the White Mountain Single-Track Trail is open. Be aware that this area offers some very steep climbing in spots; if you plan to ride this area, you better be in mid-season shape. The lower part of this route also has several low-water crossings, so be ready for the water.
Buttermilk Country and the Tungsten Hills are ridable and open, and there is no snow in the area; the best time to ride in January is mid-day.
Mill Pond to the Foothill areas of Western Bishop Out in the Foothills of West Bishop, you will find very dry dirt with a mix of loose to compact surfaces.
Not much rain has fallen in this area since last spring, so you must watch for some of the turns out there. The sides are very loose, catching you off guard as they give way, and you lose traction. Ride the center line or be prepared to endo.
Have a Great Day, Steve Taylor the Snowman – Ride the Eastside!
>>Mountain Biking Disclaimer Alert<<
If you’re looking for a unique place to go for a Mountain Bike adventure, you must check out the Eastern Sierra Region.
There are countless opportunities to ride here, from Traditional Mountain Bikes to the new Mountain E-Bikes. You will find everything from single-track action to motocross trails, OHV trails, and forest service roads that lead deep into the backcountry.
This website is here so you will know where to ride, current trail conditions, and what to expect from the local weather on your next Mountain Bike Trip to the Eastern Sierra.
We cover most of what you can ride at the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, in the Inyo National Forest, and in the Bishop and Big Pine areas. There are miles and miles of mountain biking to be had up here.
Website Author – Steve Taylor (the MammothSnowman) from Mammoth Lakes & Bishop, California
Steve has been Mountain Biking in the Mammoth Lakes and Bishop areas since 1985. At Eastern Sierra Mountain Biking, he is offering up his years of knowledge on where to ride and what the trails are like.
Steve moved to Mammoth Lakes full-time in 1990 and down to Bishop in Late Spring 2019. He currently rides five to six days a week and is excited to share his local Mountain Biking knowledge with you. If you’re into skiing and snowboarding, check out his Winter website at MammothSnowman.com.
