Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | Up to 10.4 miles round trip (7.4 miles round trip to Glass Creek Meadow) |
| Starting Elevation |
8050 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+1250, -1250 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
Visit Glass Creek Meadow and you are bound to find yourself alone in this long, narrow meadow where the skiing is idyllic. But getting there has one obstacle; you need to climb a short, steep section. As described in the mileage log, there are two options to ascend. If you want to try both, ascend the more difficult "direct route" and descend the "wider route." The direct route is definitely the more beautiful.
Once in Glass Creek Meadow it is 1.5 miles through it to its terminus. But there is no need to ski to the end to enjoy the serenity of the area with White Wing Mountain looming above.
More ambitious skiers can ski a one-way tour that goes through the Glass Creek Meadow and ends at the Crestview Highway Maintenance Station on Highway 395. Refer to the Glass Creek to Deadman Creek tour for details.
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).
Return to trailhead
Miles: 5.2 - 10.4
Elevation change: +200, -1050
Retrace the route for 5.2 miles back to the trailhead (1).
