Mammoth Crest Backpack
Lee Vining, CA
5.0 (3 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Amazing Camps
- Alpine Lakes
- Breathtaking Views
- Summit Duck Pass at 10,800 ft
- Hike on the John Muir Trail
- Incredible Beauty of Duck Lake
- Mountain Solitude
Description
Explore the grandeur and solitary reaches of the Eastern Sierra on this 4-day backpacking trip. Escape the crowds, climb into an amazing alpine world, and explore the soaring granite peaks that loom over the endless desert basins to the east of the Sierras. This trek begins and ends at the beautiful Lake Mary, which is a worthy destination in and of itself. We climb up and over Duck Pass, over 10,00ft where the views are amazing! Well take a day hike along the John Muir Trail with light packs to stunning Purple lake and also traverse the scenic Mammoth Crest, the namesake of this trip, which offers world-class views and unforgettable hiking.
$1410 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip involves a steep ascent of 1950′ on a well maintained trail up to Duck Pass and a challenging layover day hike on Day 3 on a well maintained trail from Duck Lake to Purple Lake and back. The last day is 10 miles over rough, off trail terrain over the Mammoth Crest. Overall, the short duration combined with long days and steep ascents/descents make this a level 4 trip.
Hiking Distances:

5-10 mi
Backpack Weight:

25-35 lbs
Terrain:

Moderate Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:

2200 ft
Heights Exposure:

Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 25-35 lb backpack for 6-9 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
- Hiking with occasional, moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Eastern Sierra backpacking trip a solitude 3. You can expect hours of solitude at a time.
TRAVEL TO LEE VINING, CALIFORNIA
All Eastern Sierra trips begin and end in Lee Vining at the iconic Mobile Station at 6PM on Day 1 of their trip. Lee Vining is east of Yosemite National Park at the junction of Highways 395 and 120. There are multiple way to reach Lee Vining:
By Car
The primary gateways if driving (or flying in and then driving) are Reno, NV; Fresno, CA; and Sacramento, CA. Lee Vining is a 2 hour and 40 minute drive south of Reno on Highway 395; and it’s 4.5 hours from both Fresno and Sacramento.
By Rail and Bus
From Fresno or Yosemite:
Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS) is offering 4 bus rides each direction from Fresno to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite. From Tuolumne Meadows, you can catch a second YARTS bus that will drop you off directly at the Mobile station in Lee Vining. Please note that busses arrive at the Mobile at 8:42 AM, 4:47PM or after 7:30PM.
From Reno:
Eastern Sierra Transit’s CREST service offers transportation from Reno’s airport and Greyhound Station to Lee Vining, CA.
From Los Angeles:
Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line offers service from Downtown Los Angeles to Lancaster, CA. Eastern Sierra Transit’s CREST service travels north from Lancaster to Lee Vining.
From the San Francisco Bay Area:
Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS) offers service from Merced, CA to Yosemite Valley and in the summer, continuing service to the Eastern Sierra, with stops in Lee Vining. There are many options for travel between the Bay Area and Merced, including Greyhound and Amtrak.
Travel by Air
Fly into Mammoth Yosemite Airport and take Eastern Sierra Transit’s CREST service north to Lee Vining.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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