ABOUT THE PROJECT

The unique landscape to the north of the Town of Mammoth Lakes (TOML), managed almost entirely by the Inyo National Forest, from Highway 203 and the Shady Rest Campgrounds to the north end of the Inyo Craters, comprises vast stands of old-growth Jeffrey Pine, numerous volcanic and geological features, expansive views stretching from the Glass Mountains to the Headwaters of the Wild and Scenic Owens River (source of 60% of Los Angeles’ drinking water), and 100’s of miles of U.S. Forest Service roads built for by-gone resource extraction, mining and timber operations. It is home to coyotes, foxes, mule deer, mountain lions and black bears and is a popular destination for dispersed camping, motorized recreation, e-biking, mountain biking, hiking, cross-country and backcountry-skiing and snowmobiling.

This unique landscape, combined with its proximity to the municipal interface, requires deliberate recreational use management, including sustainable trail and infrastructure design, to protect and preserve – for generations to come – not just the quality of the recreational experiences, but also the landscape and ecosystems these experiences depend on. We have an amazing opportunity to work together to plan a well-designed and managed trail system that makes sense for trail users while improving the existing condition of the environment.

In an effort to engage with OHV users and opportunities in the Shady Rest Inyo Craters sub-region, TOML applied for and was awarded a three-year planning grant from the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division Grant Program in 2020. The TOML, in partnership with Inyo National Forest – Mammoth Ranger District and Mono County, is using the California OHV planning grant funds for on-the-ground planning and environmental review (NEPA/CEQA) in order to optimize existing OHV trail facilities that serve a wide spectrum of user groups and to consider enhanced opportunities for trails and sustainable recreation in the Shady Rest Inyo Craters sub-region.

Proliferation of user-created trails, lack of clear wayfinding information, and other public feedback indicate the area will benefit from systematic improvements. By enhancing the existing OHV trail network and devising new OHV trail facilities, this effort aims to mitigate resource concerns while providing a more enjoyable and safer experience for OHV users including motorcycles, quads, e-bikes, side-by-sides and 4X4s. This effort may also provide better access for camping, fishing, hiking, trail running, horseback riding, climbing, and biking.

This project was removed from Inyo National Forest Program of Work in WINTER 2021 and has been suspended.