Mountain Biking Lower Rock Creek Trail

October 11, 2023

With its banked turns, fast and flowing descent and technical rocky sections, the highlight of any mountain bike trip to the Eastern Sierra is riding Lower Rock Creek Trail.

What to Expect

Located south of Mammoth Lakes between Toms Place and Paradise, Lower Rock Creek Trail follows Rock Creek as it descends the canyon and is divided into three sections of varying ability.

From the top, the singletrack rolls through an aspen grove where riders can pick up fast speeds. A few tight turns and rocky sections will test the skills of intermediate mountain bikers, while beginners will want to hop off their bike and walk. At the end of the first section the trail crosses the road; pedal up the pavement to get on the trail again. The second section is short, fun and fast with turns winding through grassy meadows and over footbridges. The trail crosses the road again for the third and final section that is longer than the top two combined. It descends through the canyon as it narrows, and over technical rock gardens before opening up in a fast descent to the bottom.

How to ride it: Though the trail is multi-use and multi-directional, most people car shuttle and ride top to bottom. There is a parking lot at the bottom of the trail on Lower Rock Creek Road with pit toilets and picnic benches; leave a car there and drive to the top of the trail at the junction of Lower Rock Creek Road and U.S. Highway 395. Enjoy the 1,100 vertical feet and 8 miles of downhill all the way to your car at the bottom.

For an easier, but still fun option (6 miles), loop the top two sections. Park at the bottom of the second section and pedal up the paved road and down the trail.

Quick Tips: Get an early start on summer days; the lower elevation trailhead gets hot. If you plan to descend the entire trail, bring a few spare tubes as the rocky and technical third section has a penchant for pinch flats. Be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks, and wear sun protection including sunscreen and sunglasses.

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