Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Old French Trail
1878-1930s
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 23, 2011
1. Old French Trail Marker
It connected the mining camps of Mammoth City, Mill City, Mineral Park and Pine City with Fresno Flats (Oakhurst).
The one way fare was $15.00 per person +20 lbs. free freight. Freight was 8 cts. per pound.
The mines failed in the 1880s, the trail was used as the route from Mammoth to Fresno by ranchers, sheep herders, prospectors and US Forest Service until the 1930s.
Although remnants are all that remain of the Old French Trail, it made a big impact on the growth of Maderia and Mono Counties.
Erected 2002 by Bodie Chapter No. 64 & Grub Gulch No. 41-49, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.
Location. 37° 38.157′ N, 118° 58.005′ W. Marker is in Mammoth Lakes, California, in Mono County. It is on Old Mammoth Road. The marker is located in the Mammoth Creek Community Park.
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Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Temple of Folly (approx. 0.2 miles away); Margaret & Emmett Hayden Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Knight Wheel (approx. half a mile away); The Tavern (approx. Ύ mile away); Old Mammoth Saloon (approx. 0.8 miles away); The White Fence at Old Mammoth (approx. 1.7 miles away); Mammoth City (approx. 2.2 miles away); Casa Diablo (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mammoth Lakes.
More about this marker. There is a companion marker located in Oakhurst, California.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Marker placed at the western end of the trail.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 23, 2011
2. Old French Trail Marker
Marker is seen embedded in the granite rock.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 23, 2011
3. Old French Trail Map Marker
This marker is located on the back of the Old French Trail Marker boulder.
French Trail
Est. 1878
54 Miles
1. Fresno Flat (Oakhurst), 2. Sugar Pine, 3. Fresno Dome, 4. Beasore Meadows, 5. Granite Stairway, 6. Devils Post Pile, 7. Mammoth City, 8. Mammoth Lakes
9. Yosemite National Park
Not to Scale - Drawn by a Clamper - An ECV Map
Est. 1878
54 Miles
Not to Scale - Drawn by a Clamper - An ECV Map
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 23, 2011
4. Old French Trail Map
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 3,161 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 30, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
