BRIDGEPORT TO SHADY REST PARK - WINTER RECREATION
WINTER GROOMING ON FREE PUBLIC TRAILS IN FULL SWING
Mono County and the Town of Mammoth Lakes offer an awesome assortment of winter recreation opportunities outside of the traditional ski-resorts, including extensive groomed and un-groomed trail systems, snowmobile riding areas, snow parks, ice skating, back-country touring, and more.
For example, did you know there are groomed winter trails in Bridgeport, CA? The Twin Lakes Valley in Bridgeport features two multi-use groomed trail systems, provided in partnership by the U.S. Forest Service, Mono County, and local volunteers. The Buckeye Loop trail is an approximately eight mile trail (4 miles out and 4 miles back) that takes you along Buckeye Road, boasting views of Bridgeport Valley, ending at a local favorite, Buckeye Hot Springs. The groomed Buckeye winter trail utilizes Buckeye Road, which as of 2024 is now CLOSED to motor vehicle use while the winter trail is operational. Mono County asks that you please respect closures – this is for safety and to protect against resource damage. Also new in 2024, the Paha Lower Twin Loop is groomed. This three (3) mile trail meanders through the Twin Lake valley campgrounds offering serene, peeking views of Robinson Creek, ending with a sweeping view of Lower Twin Lakes and the snow-capped Sawtooth Ridge. The Bridgeport winter trail system is generously groomed on a volunteer basis by the Little Family of the Virginia Creek Settlement.
In the Town of Mammoth Lakes, there are two areas being groomed by the Mammoth Lakes Trail System (MLTS) for the public to enjoy.
The roughly three (3) mile trail system through the Shady Rest Park area and the 1.2 mile out and back Sherwins Winter Trail are groomed several times a week, weather permitting, by a full crew of three groomers, plus the Trails Manager.
The grooming season got off to a rough start with the old Nordoni having mechanical issues. Luckily, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area generously lent the MLTS a utility snowmobile, allowing them to tow the grooming implements. This borrowed machine has been working out great; enough so that the MLTS plans to purchase a similar machine for next season.
“Thanks to good snow coverage we have been able to groom almost every day and are stoked to see how long we can make our season last this spring!”
For grooming updates of the Bridgeport winter trail system, please visit Mono County Winer Recreation page or the Virginia Creek Settlement Instagram account. For grooming updates on the Mammoth Lakes Trail System, please visit their Trail Conditions page. You can also visit the Inyo National Forest Winter Recreation page for current conditions and updates.
About Mammoth Lakes Recreation
Formed in 2014, Mammoth Lakes Recreation’s mission is to deliver cutting edge sustainable recreation, mobility, and arts & culture opportunities and infrastructure for the benefit of the community and natural environment of Mammoth Lakes. For more information, go to www.mammothlakesrecreation.org.