If becoming one with nature is your goal, there’s no better place to achieve this than at Mammoth Mountain. This picturesque location features dozens of hiking trails that are ideal for hikers of all skill levels. While hiking at Mammoth can certainly be rewarding and enjoyable, it’s important to be aware of some things you shouldn’t do when hiking here. The helpful folks from ASO Mammoth, a top-tier Mammoth outdoor store, list seven of them.
1. Pack Too Light
Most of the trailheads around the Mammoth area are easily accessible by shuttles. Because of this, you may be tempted to pack as little as possible. However, it’s surprisingly easy to run out of energy or become dehydrated, even on the easier trails. Err on the side of caution and bring:
• Snack bars for quick sources of energy
• Reusable water bottles
• Trail-ready boots or shoes if you don’t want to wear them on your way to your preferred trail
• A fully charged phone so you can always know where you are
• A first aid kit in case of scrapes or cuts
2. Forget the Sunscreen
Many Mammoth Mountain hikers like to go at a casual pace to take in the beautiful surroundings of nearby places like Junction Bluff. However, this can become a problem if you forget to bring sunscreen with you. Even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays can be powerful enough to leave you with a painful burn. The general recommendation is to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
3. Randomly Go without a Plan
If you don’t plan ahead when hiking at Mammoth Mountain, you could find yourself on a trail that’s more challenging than you anticipated, or you could needlessly overexert yourself. For example, a lack of planning could leave you unaware of the gondola that goes to the Summit Trailhead and allows you to hike the downhill side.
4. Skip the Easy Trails
Even if you’ve enjoyed challenging hikes in other locations, it’s important to get used to what’s available in the Mammoth area before doing the same thing here. For example, if your goal is to see the beautiful wildflowers along the more difficult 7.2-mile Mammoth Mountain Trail, you might start with some of the easier trails in the Mammoth Lakes Basin first to get acclimated to the conditions here.
5. Fail to Dress Warmly for Evening Hikes
If you have your heart set on hiking at Mammoth Mountain while bathed in the light of the moon, remember to dress warmly. Even in the middle of summer, temperatures can quickly dip later in the day. At the very least, pack some convertible hiking pants with detachable leg bottoms and a jacket.
6. Focus Solely on What Lies Ahead
Reaching the summit of Mammoth Mountain is certainly an admirable goal, and it’s one that will reward you with amazing views. But you’ll be more motivated to keep going if you focus on what you’ve already accomplished as you hike instead of thinking about how many more miles are left to go.
7. Forget to Plan Side Activities
Hiking at Mammoth Mountain can be a memorable experience in itself. That being said, one other thing you shouldn’t do when hiking in this area is overlook opportunities to plan some side activities to enhance your hiking adventure. Options include:
• Bike riding
• Swimming in one of the nearby lakes
• Going on a scenic gondola ride to Mammoth’s summit
Incredible hiking opportunities are just one of the reasons thousands of people visit Mammoth Mountain every year. No matter when you choose to visit Mammoth, you’ll find a ton of fun things for the whole family to enjoy. While you’re here, stop by and see the friendly team at ASO Mammoth. Whether you need hiking gear, mountain bike repair, fishing licenses, or ski rental in Mammoth, you’ll find everything you need at our store. Drop by on your way to the trails or give us a call at 760-965-3444.