Inyo National Forest and Town of Mammoth Lakes Invite Input
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine – Trails & Stewardship
If you’ve ever wandered the beautiful meadows of Sherwin meadows in Mammoth or climbed the dusty singletrack behind Mammoth Rock, you already know: the Sherwin area is one of the most beloved front-country escapes in Mammoth Lakes. But that love—and the rising pressure of use—has left its mark.
Now, local trail users have a unique opportunity to shape the future of this landscape.
The Inyo National Forest, in partnership with the Town of Mammoth Lakes, is seeking public input on the Sherwin Area Recreation Plan (SHARP)—a proposed trail reconstruction and re-designation project in Sherwin Meadows aimed at addressing erosion, habitat damage, and unplanned trail sprawl.
An informational open house is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 from 5–7 p.m. at the Mammoth Lakes Community Center, and written public comments are being accepted through May 3, 2025.
Why It Matters
Over the years, a growing web of user-created trails has carved its way through Sherwin Meadows—many following tempting but unsustainable lines through sensitive ecological and cultural zones. The resulting trail erosion, habitat fragmentation, and maintenance issues have become too visible to ignore.
Closing these trails without alternatives wouldn’t work. Trail users—runners, hikers, bikers, dog walkers—need better options. That’s where SHARP comes in.
“We have completed extensive cultural heritage surveys… and we have consulted with biologists, hydrologists, and ecologists to find routes that have the least amount of impact,” says Fred Wong, Mammoth District Ranger. “I’m excited for this project coming closer to completion after years of hard work.”
What’s Being Proposed?
Under a Categorical Exclusion through the National Environmental Policy Act, the SHARP project proposes:
- Re-naturalizing and closing unsustainable, user-created trails
- Reconstructing existing trails with improved design and location
- Constructing new trails that balance user experience with ecological health
This is not just trail removal—it’s a trail redesign, rooted in science and stewardship.
For locals who value access and conservation, this is a chance to co-author the trail system we leave for future generations.
How to Get Involved
Your input, as someone who knows and loves this land, matters more than ever.
🗓️ Attend the Open House:
Thursday, April 17 | 5–7 p.m.
Mammoth Lakes Community Center – 1000 Forest Trail, Mammoth Lakes
(Note: This is an informational session only. Official comments must be submitted in writing.)
📬 Submit Written Comments by May 3, 2025:
Online: Submit via Project Website
Mail:
Mammoth Ranger District
Attn: Chris Buehrer
PO Box 148, 2510 Main Street
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
📞 Questions? Contact Chris Buehrer, Recreation Staff Officer
Email: christopher.buehrer@usda.gov | Phone: (760) 924-5518
Local Trails, Local Voices
SHARP is more than a planning document—it’s a reflection of how we care for and coexist with the places we love. If you live here, ride here, run here, or simply breathe easier in the open meadows of the Sherwins, your perspective is essential.
Let’s make sure the next generation of trails reflects the heart of this community.
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