Current Trail Conditions in the Eastern Sierra
September 18th, 2023 @ 11 AM – All the rain in August and September has resulted in fantastic trail conditions through all of Inyo and Mono Counties. The area has received over 400% of the average Summer rainfall you would typically expect. The amount of green you see from Bishop up to Mammoth is incredible for September, the perfect time to come up for some Mountain Biking.
Weather-wise, expect pt cloudy days into Friday with a slight chance of showers in the high country. Mid-day highs at the 9000-foot level will be in the low to mid-60s, with Mammoth Lakes in the upper 60s to low 70s. Overnight lows will remain in the mid to upper 40s with daytime SW winds in the 5-15 MPH range. Mornings are cool in the Bishop area now, with afternoon highs just into the mid-80s.
The next chance for rain and snow looks to be around the 20th of the month, with a couple of chances to precip the last ten days. If that outlook comes true, there would also be a dusting of snow above the 9000-10,000 foot level.
Ride on … Snowman
The Mammoth Mountain Bike Park is now closed for the season.
Mammoth Lakes Area: It’s a great time to Mountain Bike out of the Mammoth Lakes area. All trails, Forest Service Roads, and OHV routes are open for Mountain Bikes and E-MTBs.
Use this link for complete details on Mountain Bike Trails and Routes to Ride in the Mammoth Lakes Region.
The Mammoth Lakes Paved Trail System: The Town Loop, Shady Rest Route, Mammoth Lakes Basin, and Lake George Paths are all open and clear. If you’re on a non-e-bike, you can link up the Lakes Basin Path with Mammoth Rock Trail. Learn more about the paved trail system here.
Electric Mountain Bikes / E-MTB: Where can you ride an E-MTB in the Eastern Sierra? Use this link for 25 great ideas.
Toms Place & Rock Creek Canyon Area The upper Rock Creek Canyon trail is open and snow-free. Lower down by Toms Place, the Upper Gorge Trail is available.
Sand Canyon is open from the top to Mountain Bikers while the route remains closed to 4 x 4’s. E-MTB riders note that you can access Sand Canyon from the Swall Meadow area or Road 4S54 out of Toms Place.
Lower Rock Creek Trail Is open. The trail has seen some major maintenance and rebuilding this Summer. It’s a great ride; you don’t want to miss it. However, if you want to do speed runs here, forget it. There is heavy uphill use by hikers and bikers now, and many dogs are on the trail. Just slow down and beware of blind turns.
Use this link for complete details on Mountain Bike Trails and Routes to Ride in the Toms Place Rock Creek Region.
West Bishop / Poleta OHV Area The best time of the year to ride in the Bishop area is now until about mid-May. Dirt conditions now are firm to just getting loose and soft on all trails, roads, and OHV routes.
All the summer rain has made for some great riding over the last month; it’s night and day from what it was like during all those drought-year summers. Days are cool for riding during the morning hours, with the afternoons and evenings still a bit hot. Within a couple of weeks, evening rides should be on again as the warmer days of Summer come to an end.
>> Do beware that it’s still snake season, so be careful around area bushes and shady overhangs.
Coyote Mountain Road is a mess and washed out at this time. Expect local volunteers to have the erosion cleaned up in a couple of weeks.
Silver Canyon & Silver Canyon OHV Trail are now open with low water at all crossings.
Black Rock Canyon (BRC) has some sections of erosion where you must carry your bike through, but it’s doable for highly fit people.
Use this link for complete details on Mountain Bike Trails and Routes to Ride in the Bishop Region.
Bishop Creek Canyon Area, The Butter Milks OHV Area of trails and dirt roads, is ready for a Mountain Bike or E-Bike Ride. Do watch for areas of erosion from last winter’s big rains.
Enjoy the Fall; I hope to see you and your family out on one of these mountain bike rides soon. Ride on… 🙂
** DISCLAIMER: Many of the routes listed on the website are Black to Double Black Diamond; please use Extreme Caution when picking a ride and then taking it on. You Assume Your Own Risk when using this website’s information. Do Not Ride Alone, and Cell Service is Spotty in some locations. It’s on you if you take any of these rides. You Assume ALL RISK!