Winter Recreation on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Northern Mono County offers an awesome assortment of winter recreation opportunities outside of the traditional ski-resorts. On Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (HTNF) lands in Mono County, you can do anything from snow mobiling in the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area, to enjoying groomed cross country ski trails in the Bridgeport Winter trail system, to adventuring in the alpine back-country.
Please contact the Bridgeport Ranger District office at 760-932-7070 for more information about winter trails, road conditions or to report resource damage.
Please download the Bridgeport Winter Trail Map .pdfs (at bottom of page) for high resolution map and more details.
Bridgeport Winter Trail System
The Bridgeport Winter trail system is a relatively new system of groomed winter trails just outside of Bridgeport, CA. As of winter 2024, the system has two trails available for winter motorized and non-motorized enjoyment: The Buckeye Hot Springs trail, and the Paha-Lower Twin trail. All trails in the Bridgeport Winter trail system are groomed by a local volunteer, Jimmy Little of the Virginia Creek Settlement. Trails are groomed based on weather and volunteer availability; grooming may be intermittent in thin and exposed areas.
THE BRIDGEPORT WINTER TRAILS WERE LAST GROOMED ON 2/7/24! :)
The Paha - Lower Twin trail is a ~*new!*~ 3mi groomed out-and-back trail that meanders through the Twin Lakes valley, with trail sections offering sights of a scenic, wintery Robinson Creek and ending with a tranquil view of Lower Twin Lake.
The Buckeye Hot Springs trail is a 4.25 mile (8.5 mile out & back) groomed winter trail provides an excellent opportunity to kick and glide with access to Buckeye Hot Springs day-use area and incredible views of the Bridgeport Valley, Bridgeport Reservoir, and the Hunewill Hills. There is one bathroom located along this route, 4.25mi back at the Hot Springs.
!! PLEASE NOTE !! As of winter 2024, the HTNF has declared Buckeye Road (Forest Service Road 32017) to be a seasonal closure by Forest Order. This seasonal closure is meant to keep wheeled motor vehicles off Buckeye Road in the interest of public safety and resource protection (fat bikes and snow mobiles are OK). There are now gates at both the north and south entrance of Buckeye Road to prevent vehicular trespass. Bypassing these gates with a wheeled motor vehicle is illegal, is punishable by citation, and is not safe. Please respect our local trails by obeying this new Forest Order (attached below).
Buckeye Road will continue to be impassible as the snow melts. Roads are often muddy and driving on soft and unstable road surfaces can cause long-term damage, while also increasing the risk of getting stuck. Causing damage to roads and other Forest resources can be a violation of federal regulations, which could carry a fine up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area
The Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA) is an area off Highway 108 (Sonora Pass) for stellar winter terrain popular among snow mobilers and back-country skiiers and snowboarders. The BWRA is managed by the HTNF and requires a self-issued permit. The BWRA closes yearly on the last Sunday in April, or when there is too little snow.
Winter Operations & Etiquette
* Grooming and plowing operations are weather dependent.
* Please respect TEMPORARY winter closures - NO WHEELED VEHICLES BEYOND CLOSURES.
* Please park in staging areas identified on map. DO NOT BLOCK ROADWAY - PROVIDE ACCESS FOR SNOW PLOWING AND EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS
*Please respect our lands and trail systems by having a plan for where you will dispose of your trash and your waste (pet waste too!). Public restrooms and dumpsters for waste disposal are located in the Town of Bridgeport (Bridgeport County Park). Bathrooms are limited within the Twin Lakes Valley. Please do NOT poop on the trail or leave your dogs waste on the trail. Pack out ALL trash, toilet paper, and dog bags.
* Camp Like a Pro! ESSRP.org/camping RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY - NO TRESPASSING
* Do not ride or walk in cross country ski tracks.
* Respect other trail users. Be courteous and yield right of way according to etiquette code. All users yield to grooming machines
* Over-Snow-Vehicles (OSV) yield to all other users. SPEED LIMIT IS 15 MPH
* FAT BIKES: Yield to other non-motorized users. Do not ride in soft conditions - If you leave a rut deeper than 2 inches, it’s too soft.
*For current conditions and avalanche snow summary please check the Bridgeport Avalanche Center website bridgeportavalannhecenter.org
* For updates & information on Nordic Grooming in the Mammoth Lakes Trail System and Obsidian Dome, please visit: https://www.mammothtrails.org/trail-conditions/
Paha - Lower Twin Trail Map (1 MB) Buckeye Hot Springs Trail Map (19 MB) Buckeye Road Closure - Forest Order (224 KB) 
