Mammoth Crest Backpack

6 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
5/5 Excellent
0 reviews  
100%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Group Tour
Explore the grandeur and solitary reaches of the Eastern Sierra on this 5-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. W...

Member Savings

Save up to $700!

Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)

Unlock Savings

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Camping
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • The stunning Mammoth Crest
    • Dramatic views of Mammoth Lakes Basin
    • Breathtaking views of the Minaret Range & Silver Divide
    • Segment of the famous John Muir Trail
    • Incredible beauty of Ram Lake
    • Classic Sierra high country wilderness

What's this trip about?

    Explore the grandeur and solitary reaches of the Eastern Sierra on this 5-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 to reach Duck Lake which will be our camp for our first and last nights in the backcountry. When we reach the end of the official trail, we follow the less obvious trails of local animals (game trails) to the lesser known and absolutely stunning Ram Lake. At 10,000 feet the air is thin, but it is the view that makes our minds spin. These views are truly amazing. Descending back to whence we came, we follow the famous John Muir Trail as it traverses the scenic Mammoth Crest, the namesake of this trip, which offers more world-class views and unforgettable hiking.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMammoth Crest
End CityMammoth Crest

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States

Attractions

  • California

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Nature

Trip includes

    • Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and technical backpack
    • Use of trekking poles
    • All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on the last day
    • A professional, knowledgeable, certified Yosemite hiking guide
    • Transportation originating and ending in Lee Vining, CA
    • National park backcountry camping permits
    • Bear cannisters for food storage
    • Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
    • You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

Day 1 begins with a rendezvous at the iconic Mobil Gas station at the corner of Highway 395 and Highway 120, just before the small village of Lee Vining. We will meet at 6pm, conduct an orientation meeting and have dinner together at the famous “Whoa Nelli Deli” locat...

Day 2

Hiking Mileage: 5.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 1677 feet

Elevation Loss: 495 feet

After a hearty breakfast with plenty of tea and/or coffee, we hop into the company vehicle and make our way along the eastern flank of the Sierra to the Lake Mary trailhe...

Day 3

Hiking Mileage: 6.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 1215 feet

Elevation Loss: 867 feet

An early rise and a quick breakfast make for a peaceful morning hike downhill to the aptly named Purple lake. From here, we follow an unmaintained trail that takes us 720...

Day 4 (6-Day Itinerary Only)

Mileage/Elevation: varies

Today, after a tasty breakfast, we will pack up from Ram Lake and reverse what we did the day before, descending from the alpine back to the junction of the John Muir Trail. From here we hike back uphill toward Duck Pass where we then descend to camp at Pika Lake. This detour makes the trip a wonderful loop hike, which provides new scenery every day.

Second to Last Day

Hiking Mileage: 6.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 867 feet

Elevation Loss: 1215 feet

Today, after a tasty breakfast, we will pack up from Ram Lake and reverse what we did the day before, descending from the alpine back to the junction of the John Muir Tra...

Final Day

Hiking Mileage: 8.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 695 feet

Elevation Loss: 1495 feet

Today we traverse the namesake of this trip (the Mammoth Crest), and is one of the highlights that blow our guests away. After breakfast we pack up our camp and hike towa...

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $1,345
Price per day$224
Last Updated: 12/25/2021

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Wildland Trekking.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Wildland Trekking Reviews & Ratings

Not yet rated Be the first to review
Excellent
246
Great
4
Average
1
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Wildland Trekking

none
View Profile

Unforgettable Hiking Vacations

 

What we offer is specific - unforgettable hiking vacations - but our focus is broad in terms of destinations and trip styles. We have a tour that fits nearly anyone who loves to hike in world-renowned, breathtaking landscapes. For people seeking solitude, wildness and adventure, a backpacking trip is a sure choice. Folks interested in a backcountry experience but without the heavier packs should consider one of our stock/porter supported trips. For people seeking an outdoor experience but with showers and comfortable amenities, a basecamp trip is an excellent choice. And for guests interested in really living it up while getting great hikes in, our inn-based trips are wonderful options. Regardless of what you're looking for, it's very likely we have a trip for you!

 

Exceptional Guest Reviews:

With more than 7,000 people joining our tours annually, we have a proven track record of providing quality trips that exceed our guests' expectations. You can read reviews on Trip Advisor, Facebook, and on our website.

Highly Acclaimed Guides:

Our absolute commitment is to hire and train the best guides in the industry. Our philosophy is that our guides, gear, food and logistics comprise our product, and the guides are the most important ingredient!

Top-Notch Meals And Gear

Concerning gear: every guest travels with as much as $1,000 retail value of top-of-the-line gear we provide. As for meals: we carry real ingredients and the guides create the menus specifically for each group!

Wild land Trekking Today

Today we accommodate more than 8,000 guests annually. We operate hiking and backpacking tours in over 20 parks and wilderness areas in 9 different U.S. states, and in 9 countries. We run a variety of "trip styles" including hiking tours, backpacking trips, llama-supported treks, and ski and snowshoe tours. We employ more than 120 staff and have 5 offices in Arizona, Utah, Montana, California and North Carolina. And we donate more than tens of thousands of dollars annually to conservation and non-profit efforts worldwide.

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Clothes, raingear and footwear
    • Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
    • Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
    • Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Guides
Guides Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios. Guide Shifts Eastern Sierra guides work daily shifts from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. During off hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) the guides' time is their own, and they are free to sleep, rest, take personal time, postpone guest requests until the next morning, and any other legal, reasonable activity people engage in when not working. We ask all guests to respect the guides' off-duty hours by not waking or asking anything of them unless there is a true emergency. Also, state law requires that employees receive an uninterrupted 10 minute break every four working hours, so guides are required to take four 10 minute breaks between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups) 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis Specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Additional Information

Meals: What to Expect

All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.

For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.

We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.

Gear We Provide

We provide all group gear which includes the following:

  • Deuter or Osprey backpacks
  • Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
  • Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
  • Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
  • Leki or Black Diamond trekking poles
  • Cooking stoves and cookware
  • Bear cannisters
  • Company-issued first-aid kit
  • Satellite phone

What Gear to Bring

We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person, leather gloves, and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.

What Clothes to Bring

Please refer to the trip packet for a recommended clothing list (we email you a detailed trip packet when you inquire and when you register). All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots (reliable brands include Montrail, Lowa, Merrell, Vasque, and Salomon), rain gear, and non-cotton and cotton clothing layers. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.

Trip ID
wildla1-MamCreWil

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save

Compare to Similar Trips

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!