Trail Run Project Logo

This 4WD “road” doubles as an idyllic trail for runners looking to get in some mileage and vertical feet.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

5.1

Miles

8.2

KM

73%

Runnable

10,039' 3,060 m

High

7,307' 2,227 m

Low

2,740' 835 m

Up

277' 85 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Lake · Views

Need to Know

If you carry a water filter, you can get water from the Laurel Lakes before running back down. Otherwise, carry what you'll need for the round-trip.

Runner Notes

This is a rough four-wheel drive road that includes several rocky sections (think cobblestone on steroids). Footing can be tricky on the descent.

Description

Laurel Lakes Road is only navigable in a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle—or on two feet. In fact, it may be faster to run the road than to drive it.

To get there, take Highway 395 south from Mammoth and turn right on Sherwin Creek Road. Drive along this dirt road for a few miles until you reach Laurel Lakes Road. Park here and get ready to run.

Follow Laurel Lakes Road as it switchbacks up the hillside and disappears into the valley. After climbing about a mile and a half, the trail flattens out a bit and takes you through a grove of aspen trees. After about three miles from the start, the grade steepens again with another set of switchbacks. At about 4.5 miles, you reach the high point with a view of the two Laurel Lakes down below. Descend a short section to the lakes to complete the 5.1-mile trail.

Take a dip in the lake to cool off or fill up your water bottle if you brought a filter. Then turn around and run back down to the starting point for a 10.2-mile out-and-back (up-and-down) run with about 3,000 vertical feet gained and lost.

Flora & Fauna

Aspen

Contacts

Shared By:

Adam Hodges

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 2 votes

#9049

Overall
  4.5 from 2 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#811

in California

#9,049

Overall
4 Views Last Month
787 Since Oct 16, 2018
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

Photos

A flatter section of Laurel Lakes Road as it passes by an aspen grove with Bloody Mountain up ahead.
Oct 16, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
A section of Laurel Lakes Road.
Oct 16, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
Laurel Lakes Road can be seen winding up the hillside as viewed from Sherwin Creek Road.
Oct 16, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
The start of Laurel Lakes Road.
Oct 16, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
The bigger of the two Laurel Lakes as viewed from the high point of Laurel Lakes Road.
Oct 16, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 15, 2018
Adam Hodges
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.