The Bunsen Peak Road Ski Trail is a 6-mile (9.6-km) one-way, occassionally groomed, easiest to most-difficult trail with two trailhead options. The easier of the two options requires a snow coach drop-off, or a ski from the gate at the Upper Terrace Loop Ski Trail. This trailhead begins from the Mammoth-Norris road, just south of Rustic Falls and across from the upper end of the Snow Pass Trail at Swan Lake Flats. The upper 3 miles (4.8 km) are mostly level and suitable for all levels of skiing ability. On the northeast side of Bunsen Peak, the road becomes steep and winding, dropping 960 feet in 2.5 miles (292 m in 4 km) to Glen Creek.
The most difficult section of trail starts from the trailhead located within the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Camp area, from a plowed road in an employee housing area 0.8 miles (1.3 km) below the Upper Terrace parking area and 1.3 miles (2.1 km) above Mammoth.
Notes: CAUTION: Some curves have steep drop-offs and can be hazardous when icy. Bison and elk frequent this trail. Federal regulations require you to stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from bison and all other wild animals.
Check out the ski trail details and accessibility information at the bottom of this page.