Happy Monday Cirque Running Community! We hope you’re enjoying the start to your week and were able to get out on the trails this past weekend.
The Dragon's Back is a beautifully crafted trail that winds itself up the eastern flanks of Mammoth Mountain, in Mammoth Lakes California. This iconic trail is not only a popular destination for trail runners and hikers alike, it's also a part of the well known Mammoth Trailfest event that hosts hundreds of likeminded trail enthusiasts each year in September in Mammoth Lakes.
Beginning out of Mammoth Lakes Basin at Twin Lakes, located behind Mammoth Mountain, the Dragon's Back trail is an out and back that consists of roughly 7 miles and 2,800' feet of elevation gain. While we call it an out and back, there is an option early on to split the trail and take the route towards Seven Lakes Point which we highly recommend. While not incredibly runnable, the Seven Lakes Point option offers up stunning views of Mammoth Lakes Basin and is worth the detour. Later on you'll connect back with the Dragon's Back trail you were originally on while you make your way towards the summit of Mammoth Mountain which tops out at over 11,000' feet. Make sure to take the Dragon's Back trail all the way down from the summit, the section you cut off on the up to see Seven Lakes Point is a place you can really open it up on the down and is incredibly fun!
As we've said before, Mammoth Lakes is a great jumping off point for bigger adventures as well, so if you're looking to get some distance in the high country and are looking for suggestions, feel free to reach out and inquire, we'd be happy to help you plan a rad trip in the High Sierra! We have another great trail in the area dropping in a few weeks so stay tuned!
Make sure to check out our Trail Running GPX page so you can download the route and upload it to your watch or phone. This GPX page will be a continuous work in progress so make sure to take advantage of the GPX files we already have posted and be sure to check back weekly as we continue to update the page.
Also, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel @CirqueRunning to keep up to date with all of our latest trail running edits. Enjoy this video of the Dragon's Back trail in Mammoth Lakes and hopefully we see you out there at Mammoth Trailfest!
Cirque Running's other sites and media channels
Website: cirquerunning.com
GPX Files: Trail Running GPX Files
Coaching: cirquerunning.com/coaching
Instagram: @cirquerunning
Facebook: Cirque Running
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Cirque Running’s mission is to inspire our trail running community through elevated retreats and professional coaching, with certified UESCA ultrarunning coaches. We’re Trail Runners, Mountain Guides, Educators, Coaches and Stewards of the Sierra and California, and we want to share these remarkable places with all those seeking natural abundance in the Range of Light and beyond.
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