The locals' moniker for this ride is "hardcore," which should give you some indication of its strenuousness. From the Minaret Vista parking area, a short singletrack section drops briefly to join a dirt four-wheel-drive road that climbs steeply—1,500 feet in 2.5 miles—up the windswept crest of the San Joaquin Ridge. Along the way, grand views of the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Mammoth Mountain, Long Valley Caldera and the Minarets help to keep spirits buoyed. Be prepared for cooler temperatures and bracing afternoon breezes. The summit, where the road ends at the Owens River Headwaters Wilderness boundary, is at 10,700 feet above sea level. The descent is fast and fun.