Summary 
| Difficulty | 2 Beginner-intermediate |
| Length | 4.6 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
8050 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+400, -400 round trip |
| Navigation | Road, marked trail and map |
| Time | Half day |
| Season | Late November through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, June Lake |
| Start | Highway 395 at Obsidian Dome Road, 3.8 miles south of June Lake Junction (June Lake Loop South Entrance) and 11. 7 miles north of Mammoth Junction (junction of Highways 395 and 203). |
Description
This small loop in the Obsidian Dome Road area starts on Obsidian Dome Road and then switches to lessor used roads. The main descent is down a well defined gully that will give an aspiring explorer a sense of the unknown. At the bottom of the descent is the most difficult part of the tour; you must locate the marked trail that leads back to Obsidian Dome Road or pick you own route to it.
Keep in mind that while this tour is nearly entirely along roads or marked trails, in reality you will have to navigate with a map. If you have never used a compass before, this tour is an excellent place to practice navigating with one and build confidence.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 -2
Miles: 0.0 - 1.0
Elevation change: +150
From the trailhead (1), ski southwest on Obsidian Dome Road for 1.0 mile until you reach a road junction (2) where the fork to the east (left) leads to Obsidian Dome. This tour continues on the fork to the west (right).
In this section, you will pass two marked trails on your right. The tour returns to Obsidian Dome Road by one of these two trails.
Waypoint 2 - 3
Miles: 1.0 - 1.5
Elevation change: +200
Turn west (right) and ski generally northwest on the road for 0.5 mile until you reach another road junction (3).
Waypoint 3 - 4
Miles: 1.5 - 2.0
Elevation change: +50, -50
Continue straight on the road, paralleling the steep slopes to the west (left), for 0.5 mile until you reach another road junction (4). In case it is difficult to see the road, realize that you are there when you find yourself at the top of a broad gully. You have passed Hartley Springs Campground at about the mid-point in this section. There is no need to locate it.
Waypoint 4 - 5
Miles: 2.0 - 2.7
Elevation change: -300
Ski north down the gully for 0.7 mile until you have a view of Wilson Butte to the east and the terrain becomes more level (5). If you have not already located the road at the top of the gully, you are likely to see it in the gully.
Waypoint 5 - 6
Miles: 2.7 - 3.1
Elevation change: +0
Traverse east and southeast for a total of 0.4 mile until you reach a broad saddle (6) on the west side of the butte.
Waypoint 6 - 7
Miles: 3.1 - 3.2
Elevation change: +0
Ski south for 0.1 mile until you reach a marked trail (7).
Waypoint 7 - 8 (or 9)
Miles: 3.2 - 4.3
Elevation change: -100
There are three alternatives for this section. Two follow roads that may not be easy to discern. They are also marked and on occasion groomed by the U.S. Forest Service. But don't count on finding them groomed. The third alternative is the fall-back should you not be able to find the road or marked trail. In this case, ski southeast until you reach Obsidian Dome Road that is one mile away.
West-most route
Ski south and then southeast on the road and marked trail for a total of 1.1 mile until you reach Obsidian Dome Road (8).
East-most route
Ski east along the base of Wilson Butte following the road and marked trail and then southeast for a total of 1.1 mile until you reach Obsidian Dome Road (9).
Waypoint 8 (or 9) - 1
Miles: 4.3 - 4.6
Elevation change: +0
Turn northeast (left) onto Obsidian Dome Road and ski 0.3 mile until you reach the trailhead (1).
