Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Start/Finish
Sepulcher Mountain/Beaver Ponds Trailhead (1K1;
Click here
)
Nearest Town/Junction
Mammoth
Summary
An enjoyable loop hike, perfect if you're overnighting at Mammoth, that
climbs to five ponds and offers a good chance of spotting moose and waterfowl.
This 5-mile loop, with gentle climbs and lots of early-morning and evening wildlife, be-
gins between Liberty Cap and a private house next to the bus parking lot at Mammoth.
The trail ascends through the fir and spruce forests along
Clematis Creek
and in 2.5 miles
reaches a series of five ponds amid meadows, where beavers and moose emerge in the
mornings and evenings. Black bears are also a distinct possibility. Rangers offer free
walks along the trail at 8am on Friday and Saturdays. Most families will be able to tackle
this walk, as long as you bring mosquito repellent.
Before you get started, it's worth pausing at trailside
Hymen Terrace
, named after the
Greek god of marriage and one of the prettiest of Mammoth's many hot-spring terraces.
The trail is clearly signposted and follows the Sepulcher Mountain trail for the first 0.7
miles, taking a right at the first junction over a wooden bridge. Follow the trail as it starts
to switchback up the hill and about 20 minutes into the hike you reach the signed junction,
marking the end of the main elevation gain. Turn right for the
Beaver Ponds Loop
(left
for the Sepulcher Mountain Trail).
As the path flattens, it passes through patches of moody Douglas fir forest and open
meadows of wildflowers before a side trail reveals fine views over Mammoth and the sed-
iment strata of Everts Ridge. Ten minutes later the trail crosses a 4WD service track lead-
ing up to a hilltop radio transmitter, before passing a patch of quaking aspens and des-
cending through forest to the first of several beaver-dammed ponds (1ΒΌ hours from the
trailhead). The fifth and final pond offers fine views of Sepulcher Mountain in the back-
ground and is a good place to spot moose, elk and pronghorn. Cross the outlet at the far
end of the lake and ascend to a small ridge.
From here, the trail continues across an open
sagebrush plateau
, offering views down
on Gardiner town and both the modern and former stagecoach roads to the park, until you
reach a ridge with fine views over the orderly buildings and manicured green lawns and
white thermal terraces of Mammoth. Continue right along the ridge for more views or des-
cend to the employee parking lot and the 4WD road to Gardiner that leads off behind the
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Grab a well-deserved ice cream at the general store before
returning to your vehicle. You've earned it.
