June to Mammoth Ski Tour

Description

Long a locals’ favorite, this is a full-day tour where owning a season pass or lift ticket to Mammoth or June Mountains will provide a leg-up. Casually ride the lifts to the top of June Mountain and avoid a couple thousand feet of climbing on skins. After a few warm-up runs on the groomed slopes, you duck the rope and start the tour with a downhill run to the top of Yost Creek. A short section up a narrow gully takes one to easier terrain and expansive views over the spectacular peaks of Ritter and Banner and far to the west of the Sierra Nevada.

This area was once slated to be a ski area with lifts and runs connecting June to Mammoth in the manner of a European resort. But operational logistics and the fact that much of this became designated wilderness put developers’ dreams high out of reach. We can enjoy a wonderful tour taking advantage of the benefits of mechanized skiing to get up high. And we can use our backcountry skills to go out further where most folks skiing Mammoth and June can only look on in envy.

This tour is about views. It is generally pretty casual skiing. It can be undertaken any time of the year, so watch the weather and decide if you want winter powder or spring corn. It does require a vehicle shuttle. It is a good solid day so give yourself time.

This PDF is 9 pages long. It includes a map with the line of the route, a description of the route with some photographs, several waypoints to hit and suggestions on how to play the day.

Also included is a GPX track. Use this to help find you way but do not be a slave to the “blue dot.” A GPX track is never an exact route to follow. Trying to follow it so might get you into trouble in variable snow conditions. The GPX is simply there to help you ensure you are in the right neighborhood. Look up and around and develop your navigational skills.