Route Overview
“One touch with nature makes the whole world kin.”
~Shakespeare from “Sole and Inspiration”
Earthquake Dome is located just outside the town of Mammoth Lakes. It is a smaller peak climb offering solitude. There are expansive views of Mammoth Mountain to Mount Dana in Yosemite.
The small volcanic dome is named Earthquake Dome for its proximity to the fault nearby. The crack in the ground is fascinating. It runs more than 10 ft deep in places and is only a foot or two wide. According to the kiosk at the trailhead, the fracture likely formed around 600 years ago. This was during one of the recent Inyo/Mono Craters eruptions. It probably has little to do with an actual single earthquake event.
It is a tradition to climb a peak on my birthday each year. We happened to visit Mammoth Lakes with our friends, Milissa and Brad. My daughter, Bryn, and her son, Sawyer, were also with us. With colder temps and an incoming snow storm, Earthquake Dome was a perfect little summit to celebrate my 67th birthday.
Route Details
TRIP DATE September 19, 2024
DISTANCE 4.44 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN 1212 feet vertical gain
TRAILHEAD Starts and ends at Earthquake Fault Trailhead
DIFFICULTY Moderate with some forest road, trail, cross country on steep sandy pumice
NAVIGATION Map and/or GPX of route
BEST TIME TO HIKE Spring (on lower snow years), Summer, Fall
WATER None
PERMITS No permit required
CELL SERVICE Intermittent
Guidebook, Maps & GPS
- This is my go to map for the Mammoth Lakes area Mammoth Lakes Trail Map
- Click “Open in “CalTopo” in upper right hand corner of map to view and download GPX.
Satellite 3D Map of Route
Route Description
Day Hike – Earthquake Fault Trailhead > Earthquake Dome > Earthquake Fault Trailhead
4.44 miles – 1212′ elevation gain
With the new storm predicted to hit in the afternoon, we all agreed to complete the climb early in the day. After packing up clothes for cold weather, day hiking gear, and snacks we headed to the Earthquake Fault Trail Parking Lot.
This was the first birthday summit I was sharing with Sawyer (now 2 years old). It is an understatement that I was more than excited. After loading him up in a child carrier backpack and Milissa and Brad getting all their running gear ready. They were using this peak climb as a warm-up for the next day’s Mammoth Trail Fest event.
From the northwest corner of the parking loop the route begins after about .1 mile, then heads right (north) on the Mountain View Trail. At the 0.8 miles mark, leave the trail and head cross country uphill. There is no trail to the top. The approach is steep pumice through trees and manzanita. but it’s not too bad. Make your way up to the ridge. It is a wide forested area. Head for the high point to the northeast.
Finding the high point would have been a challenge without GPS. The heavy forest cover makes it difficult to decide its exact location. After zeroing in on the location, we found the sign-in register among the rocks.
Sawyer had lots of fun climbing around on the rocks and hiking around using Brad’s full-sized hiking poles. The clouds made for a very dramatic background and birthday wishes were abundant.
We took advantage of the summit as it is a perfect perch for lingering, snacking, and admiring ALL THE VIEWS. Mammoth Mountain is visible to the southwest. You can see the view of the Ritter Range far to the west and Yosemite is to the north.
We were super ambitious and fast on the descent. We went too far downhill before cutting over to meet the Mountain View Trail. We ended up having to backtrack uphill to get back on route. Hot Tip! Watch your GPS closely to retrace your steps back.
I am so thankful to have shared this birthday summit with a group of people I love.
Tips
- Pit toilets at located the trailhead
- No natural water sources on this hike
- Use GPS to locate the actual summit
- Watch your GPS closely to retrace your steps back to the Mountain View Trail
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