Trail ratings around Mammoth Lakes?

So I'm doing some research about some of the off-road trails around Mammoth, and found this site:

https://www.mammothtrails.org/activity/36/off-highway-vehicles/

However, I'm not really familiar with the trail rating system they are using. It looks like its just Green Circles, and Black Diamond, which I'm assuming is Green - Easiest, Diamond - Difficult, but there isn't a key or guide that i can find on that site.

Does anyone have any more info on these ratings?

If anyone has any suggestions for easy-moderate trails in the area, I'd love to hear them!

 

They rate Laurel Lakes as difficult. I did it, glad to have 4wd, it wasn't that bad. I'd say it's the higher end of moderate. The last half mile or so down to the lake has some short switchbacks. Do a search here for Laurel Lakes, plenty of people have done it and you can get a better idea.

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

Just watched some videos of Laurel Lakes, doesn't look like anything crazy, I'll probably give that a go!

 

2wd can be a problem, 4wd - simple for stock

 

I did that trail on my dirtbike like 10 years ago and it was pretty easy - hardest thing was the altitude. I'm betting you could do it in 2wd with a locker. I've seen plenty reports of stock 4wds doing it.

The thing about trail ratings is that they are completely subjective. Even if you have a standardized rating system, it depends on WHO rates it.

@DarthPow, my best advice is to head out there and find a moderate trail and run it anda see that that's like, then go harder if that suits you. Laurel Lakes is beautiful, highly recommend it just for the views. For "easy" trails, there are a ton of forest roads around there. I hit a ton of them on the east side of 395 near the June Lake turnoff. Most forest roads are "easy" (unless you go fast, lol).

I also suggest reading up on the geology of the area, look for things like Devils Punchbowl, etc... The whole mammoth caldera is pretty cool. well for me at least, I'm a geology nerd, but I've never found anyone that wasn't at least somewhat interested in what made the terrain they're on.

 

Trip Update, just got back from Mammoth, we ended up going up to Laurel Lake. I have minimal off-roading experience, this was my first time doing anything more than what would generally be rated as "Easy" or 1-3 on most Off-roading scales.

It wasn't hard, my truck went over everything on the trail without any issues. 4-wheel is definitely required, I would think, though as someone said, 2 Wheel with a locker could be able to do it.

All around a great time!