Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 12.2 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
8050 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+2400, -2400 round trip |
| Navigation | Road, map and compass |
| Time | Full day |
| Season | December through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, June Lake, Mammoth Mountain |
| 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
With the exception of one section between the Rainbow - June Mountain summits, you should find solitude as you pass through the remote areas that characterize this tour. The dramatic panorama from the summits and an exhilarating 600-foot descent over untracked snow will soon make you forget your brief encounter with the mechanized world of downhill skiing.
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). The fork to the west (right) is part of the Hartley Springs Campground Loop tour. The tour described here continues on the fork to the east (left).
Waypoint 2 - 3
Miles: 1.0 - 1.5
Elevation change: +150
Continue on the fork to the east (left) and shortly turn south for a total of 0.5 mile until you reach a very obscure road junction (3) where the obvious road turns southeast (left). At this point you are very close to Obsidian Dome and on its west side. Refer to the Obsidian Dome tour if you want to explore the summit.
Waypoint 3 - 4
Miles: 1.5 - 2.1
Elevation change: +200
Do not follow the obvious road. Ski south (straight) on an obscure road for 25 yards, then southeast (left) for 0.1 mile to an open area, and then follow the road as it makes a 180-degree loop to the right and heads northwest for 0.5 mile until you reach road junction (4).
If the road is not visible in the open area where the 180-degree loop is located, make the turn and look for the road where it enters the trees.
Waypoint 4 - 5
Miles: 2.1 - 2.6
Elevation change: +150
Continue on the west (left) fork for 0.5 mile until you reach a road junction (5) that is very difficult to see when the snow has drifted over the west (left) fork. If you reach the Hartley Springs drainage, then you have passed the junction by 0.1 mile.
At the junction, the east (right) fork, which continues to traverse north, is part of the Obsidian Dome Road to June Lake Junction and the Obsidian Dome Road - June Lake Junction Loop tours.
Waypoint 5 - 6
Miles: 2.6 - 2.9
Elevation change: +150
Continue on the west (left) fork as it gradually curves west past Hartley Springs, which you will not see, for 0.3 mile until you reach a small bowl (6) where the road disappears.
Waypoint 6 - 7
Miles: 2.9 - 3.0
Elevation change: +100
Climb south for 0.1 mile until you reach a ridge (7) where you will see a depression to the south.
Waypoint 7 - 8
Miles: 3.0 - 3.2
Elevation change: +0
Traverse to the southwest above the depression for 0.2 mile until you reach the west side of the depression (8).
Waypoint 8 - 9
Miles: 3.2 - 4.6
Elevation change: +1100
Traverse and climb south, then climb southwest up a canyon at a steep angle through fairly dense woods, and then climb more gradually southwest for a total of 1.4 miles until you reach the top of Chairlift J6 at June Mountain Ski Area (9) also known as Rainbow Summit. Enjoy the views from the summit.
When you start to climb, be careful not to ski south up the canyon that leads to the saddle west of Peak 9801.
Waypoint 9 - 10
Miles: 4.6 - 5.1
Elevation change: -150
Descend the Sno-Cat service road southwest for 0.5 mile until you reach a saddle (10).
Waypoint 10 - 11
Miles: 5.1 - 5.6
Elevation change: +300
Climb southwest for 0.5 mile until you reach the top of June Mountain and Chairlift J7 (11).
Waypoint 11 - 12
Miles: 5.6 - 7.1
Elevation change: -1200
Descend southwest along a ridge for 0.5 mile, picking your way through woods, until you reach the top of a sparsely wooded slope; descend for 0.4 mile and 600 feet southeast until you are forced to enter dense woods; descend east for 0.4 mile until you reach Glass Creek Meadow (12).
Waypoint 12 - 13
Miles: 7.1 - 8.7
Elevation change: -200
Ski northeast through Glass Creek Meadow for 1.6 miles until you enter trees and begin to descend a gully (13).
Waypoint 13 - 14
Miles: 8.7 - 9.3
Elevation change: -100
Cross to the north side of the creek if you are not already there, and traverse east, above the creek for 0.6 mile until you reach an open area (14).
Waypoint 14 - 15
Miles: 9.3 - 9.8
Elevation change: -400
Glass Creek, which should be to the south and below you, continues east by descending a very steep and narrow gully. While your next objective is to reach the bottom of this gully, the best route is to veer slightly north and descend 300 feet northeast down an equally steep but wider slope to level terrain, and finally ski northeast and then north for a total of 0.5 mile until you reach a snow-covered road at the base of Obsidian Dome (15).
Waypoint 15 - 3
Miles: 9.8 - 10.8
Elevation change: +100
Continue on the snow-covered road as it curves north for 1.0 mile until you reach the west side of Obsidian Dome and a road junction (3) from earlier in the tour. You will pass a road to the east (right) 100 yards before reaching the junction. This road leads to the top of Obsidian Dome and is described in the Obsidian Dome tour.
If you cannot find the snow-covered road in the flat area at the base of Obsidian Dome (waypoint 15), from waypoint 15 ski north up an obvious gully until you intersect the road on the dome's west side.
Return to trailhead
Miles: 10.8 - 12.4
Elevation change: -300
Retrace the route for 1.6 miles back to the trailhead (1).
