Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 14.0 miles one-way |
| Starting Elevation |
8050 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+1400, -1900 one-way |
| Navigation | Road, map and compass |
| Time | Full day |
| Season | December through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted to waypoint 10 and low beyond waypoint 10 [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, June Lake, Mammoth Mountain, Old Mammoth, Crestview |
| 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). |
| End | Crestview Highway Maintenance Station, 6.3 miles south of June Lake Junction (June Lake Loop South Entrance) and 9.2 miles north of Mammoth Junction (junction of Highways 395 and 203). |
Description
This one-way tour offers the opportunity to explore a large portion of both Glass Creek and Deadman Creek without retracing your tracks. Much of Glass Creek is located in Glass Creek Meadow where you will find the skiing easy. In contrast, part of Deadman Creek is located in dense woods where you will find the skiing tricky, particularly in the upper part of the drainage where the route descends at a steep angle. Connecting the two drainages is a pass that you cross.
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.
Waypoint 3 - 4
Miles: 1.5 - 1.6
Elevation change: +0
Ski southeast (left) on the obvious road for about 100 yards until you reach a road junction (4). The east (left) fork is a narrow road that climbs at a very steep angle along the side of Obsidian Dome and then onto the plateau that is the dome's summit. Refer to the Obsidian Dome tour for details. The loop tour continues on the southern-most (right) fork.
Waypoint 4 - 5
Miles: 1.6 - 2.5
Elevation change: -200
Gradually descend the southern-most (right) fork, weaving south, for 0.9 mile until you reach the south side of the Obsidian Dome (5) where you will find yourself on a bench alongside Glass Creek.
Waypoint 5 - 6
Miles: 2.5 - 3.0
Elevation change: +450
You have two choices for this section. One, the more interesting route, ascends the very narrow gully along Glass Creek. The other is just as steep, but ascends a wider slope that is separated from the creek by a very small ridge.
Direct route
Ski southwest along the northwest side of Glass Creek for 0.5 mile until you reach a relatively level, open area (6). In this section, after a level section along the creek, you will climb up a very narrow gully and alongside the creek. This route is prettier than the "wider route" because you are skiing along where the creek cascades down the gully.
Wider route
Ski southwest along the northwest side of Glass Creek for 0.2 mile and then veer more west toward a wide, shallow gully and ascend the gully to the southwest for a total of 0.5 mile until you reach a relatively level, open area (6).
Waypoint 6 - 7
Miles: 3.0 - 3.7
Elevation change: +150
Traverse west through scattered trees, staying above the creek, for 0.7 mile until you reach the northeast end of Glass Creek Meadow (7).
Waypoint 7 - 8
Miles: 3.7 - 5.2
Elevation change: +150
Ski southwest through the meadow for 1.5 miles until you reach the southwest end of the meadow (8).
Waypoint 8 - 9
Miles: 5.2 - 6.2
Elevation change: +350
Climb gradually southwest through dense woods for 1.0 mile until you reach a pass (9) that separates the Glass Creek and Deadman Creek drainages. Skiing in the intermittent clear areas will make the climb much easier. Take a moment to enjoy a glimpse of the high peaks to the southeast that are located in the Mt. Morrison area.
Waypoint 9 - 10
Miles: 6.2 - 7.1
Elevation change: -750
Descend south on the open slope until you reach an aspen thicket along Deadman Creek and then continue to descend the drainage for a total of 0.9 mile until you reach relatively level terrain (10). The skiing is tricky along the creek; you may find your route alternating between creek-side and above the creek.
Waypoint 10 - 11
Miles: 7.1 - 8.5
Elevation change: -300
Ski generally east along the north side of Deadman Creek for 1.4 miles until you intersect a road (11).
Waypoint 11 - 12
Miles: 8.5 - 9.8
Elevation change: -200
Ski northeast on the road for 1.3 miles until you reach a clearing (12) from which you can see Mammoth Mountain to the south.
Waypoint 12 - 13
Miles: 9.8 - 10.2
Elevation change: -50
Ski east on the road for 0.4 mile until you reach the notch (13) between two modest knobs.
Waypoint 13 - 14
Miles: 10.2 - 12.5
Elevation change: -350
Zig-zag northeast on the road for 2.3 miles until you reach a road junction (14). The terrain in this area is quite level and there are many roads in it. Keep track of the distinct turns to help you determine when you arrive at the correct road junction.
Waypoint 14 - 15
Miles: 12.5 - 14.0
Elevation change: -50
Ski northeast on the east (right) fork for 0.2 mile until you enter a large, flat, open area; beyond, cross to the northwest side of Deadman Creek and ski northeast, paralleling the creek for most of the distance and a total of 1.5 miles until you reach Highway 395 at the Crestview Maintenance Station (15).
