Vista Grind
Out and back on the Mountain View Trail: climb from the Earthquake Fault through the pumice of the Dry Creek drainage to the Minaret Vista end, then turn around for the long descent home.
Your timesno timed runs yet
Ride mode times every run on its own: the clock starts when you roll out of the start and stops at the finish, with splits at each marked spot. Leave Ride mode on between laps and it re-arms when you're back at the start. Times stay on this phone.
Right now at the trailhead
Get the GPS file
Scan with a friend's phone, or tap below. Then open it in your ride app.
- iPhone: tap Download, open it from the Downloads bar, then Share → Trailforks, Strava or Garmin.
- Android: tap Download, then open the file and pick your app.
- Garmin: or drag it into Garmin Connect → Courses → Import on a computer.
https://bsqrd-designs.com/dirt/vista-grind/
Getting there
Park at Earthquake Fault Trailhead
Earthquake Fault parking area off Minaret Rd (CA-203), Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
- Parking, restrooms and trash at the Earthquake Fault, per the Town of Mammoth Lakes trail system. No fee listed. From the lot, roll just south on the road to the trail junction.
- Start and finish are the same spot. Follow the cue sheet and the arrows on the map.
Cue sheet
| 0.0 | Mountain View Trailsingletrack via Mountain View Trailhead (Minaret Vista) · Dry Creek drainage | 10.9 mi |
| 10.9 | Back at Earthquake Fault Trailhead |
Know before you go
- The climb is the first half: about 600 ft net up to the Minaret Vista end and roughly 1,200 ft of total climbing for the round trip, by our elevation data. The Town notes several sections of soft sand, which is why most people ride this trail downhill.
- Two-way trail. Many riders come down from Minaret Vista, so watch for them on the climb and expect to share the trail.
- The upper trail runs along the Owens River Headwaters Wilderness boundary. Do not leave the Mountain View Trail; the wilderness is closed to bikes.
- This is not part of the Mammoth Bike Park and needs no ticket. Do not drop onto Uptown, Downtown or other bike park trails near the Earthquake Fault; those are inside the bike park and need a bike park ticket.
- Tops out around 9,200 ft. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer; turn around early if one builds.
Ride smart
- Water: plan on about 1.5 L for this ride. There's none on the trail.
- Signal is spotty. Tell someone your route and your time back.
- Emergency: call 911 and say "Vista Grind ride, parked at Earthquake Fault Trailhead, Mammoth Lakes, California", plus the coordinates from Locate me.
- Wildlife: give horses, burros and anything with horns room, and never feed them.
- Stay on trail. Desert crust and mountain soil take decades to heal.
Report a problem or share a photo
Washout, closure, new fence or a missing sign? Got a great shot of a junction? Send it. It goes straight to Ryan; photos he approves show up on this page with your credit.
Trail photos
End ride?
Turn calls, the timer and your recording stop when the ride ends.