Jus a CMax to Mammoth Mountain and back!

[Jus-A-CMax]

 

 

UPDATED FOR TRIP 5 (April 2013 trip!!!!)

 

I  :wub2:  the ad that Ford puts out here in California about the CMax and the lady who "loads up her car with skis and goes"....but I have yet to spot a single CMax at Mammoth mountain. I find it funny and I truly wonder if she is for real or fictional...

 

Focus, Escape, Prii, Subies, BMWs are all over the place but no CMax, at least not in the extended long weekends while I was there...so onward we go to....a real person aka Jus-A-Cmax's on-going trips to Mammoth.... :shift:...driven by a real person (me), the wife, the 2 skis, the snowboards, all the exotic Goretex snow softgear and boots, food, snow shovel, alcohol, eating utensils and plates, blankets, towels, snow cables etc.

 

Yes, it is consistently loaded with the same amount of gear literally to the roof and YES, you can feel the weight on the car which takes a while to get used to since I drive the car at least 500-600 miles per week unloaded.
 

 

The Route
For those not familiar with Mammoth or CA, I have added in the googlemap of the route...

 
Major freeways: 210 and 395 (65mph Speed Limit), 14 is predominantly 65mph with 1 section 70mph between Lancaster and Mojave, 203 is 50mph.
 
I have driven this route since 1998 and it use to be a speed zone, drivers would literally fly at 90+ mph but in the last 8 years and especially the 395 - its a money maker for the CHP. You simply do not speed thru any of the towns and the section between Lone Pine and Bishop, you are guaranteed to go past at least 5 CHP lurking. IMO, any route after and around Mojave are speed traps. A few years ago, I was pulled over for doing 68-70 mph once, given a warning so now I simply do not speed, its not worth the $400+ ticket and the day in traffic school. So now where once the Mammoth trips took like 4hrs and 45 mins, each leg takes me about 5 hrs - 5 hrs and 15 mins in the CMax. This is also dependent on the time we spend to gas up and re-fuel with ice cream at the Indian Casino in Independence... ;)
 
My past 2 other trips to Mammoth can be found here:
1st Trip: http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?/topic/805-let-is-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snowcmax-at-mammoth-lakes-ca/
2nd Trip: http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/index.php?/topic/975-part-2-let-is-snowcmax-at-mammoth-california/
3rd trip was a post in the Fuel Mileage.

 

 

 

Now onto the statistics for my Mammoth runs and keep in mind, this is with the CMax FULLY LOADED:

 

 

 

 

For Trip 4: Frankly I did not expect that much of a MPG difference coming back from Mammoth. I knew it was better when I got to Mammoth with 40 Avg MPGs and this is in context that I got to the Sherwin Grade outside Bishop with 43MPGs and I lost 3 MPGs going up that grade to Mammoth town, just could not recover and I can't fight physics. This trip, temp was not that cold, some light snow.

 

Now on the way back from Mammoth to Bishop, what I paid up to go up Sherwin Grade, I now got back about with a tidy profit on the way back:

Yep, thats right. This was taken at about Pine Creek Rd. Yes, it was   :happy feet:   &  :wub2:. 

 

Rest of the coming home was nothing special, not much traffic or trucks since it was a weekday that we drove back. Tanked up in Independence as we always do, and a couple of Choclate Hagen Daz from the wifey, I was a happy  :shift: .

 

 

For Trip 5: Big headwind going to Mammoth and cold too. Coming back, it was a tail wind (very dusty hitting Mojave/Palmdale). The MPG Gods take it and giveth as well  :)

However, I can see a slight improvement and I suspect, my engine break-in has levelled out and I got a slight improvement. Overall, the average MPG is consistent between 4 and 5 even with the slight temperature variations.

 

Yes, chocolate Hagen Daz stop in Independence as well!

 

 

 

Pictures from Mammoth

Now some posters have requested some shots from Mammoth so here are some feasts for your eyes. I am a snowboarder so nothing fazes us riders...I will do all the chutes and runs and it was POWDER, POWDER, POWDER for 2 days and then the weekend crowd came but by this time, all the pow was ripped. 

 

Somelight snow as we got to Mammoth - I finally put up the wipers...man those things are LONG.

 

 

Race training down Ralphie while I was going up Chair 1, these guys were scooting...

 

 

Looking back at the Main Lodge at Mammoth:

 

 

FRESH POWDER!!! Untracked!!!!! In the trees with moi...I wonder who's track that is...my favorite hunting ground, can't tell you where though...

 

 

Powder for sale! Powder for sale! I lost a lot of it before I stopped...

 

 

 
 
 

Edited April 13, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[Jus-A-CMax]

Saturday lift lines, UGH!

 

 

Going down "Wall Street" to Chair 2...yes, that is a HUGE map...just so you can see it in the blizzard.

 

 

Top of the Gondola...yes, families do go up to the top and check out the SPECTACULAR views...

 

 

Chair 23 in the background, goes up to the top and a lot of black stuff..aka Dropout chutes, Cornice, Scottys etc....don't go there unless you know what you are doing, skiers have died there when they get out of control and smash into rocks..

 

 

Scenic run down to Eagle...easy peasy cruisy stuff...thats Snowcreek in the background. Its a resort, spa, golf course (when its not snowed in).

 

 

One of my FAVOURITE easy peasy FAST run off Chair 8....do it FAST....go baby and lots of nice long driving turns on the board with this run...

 

 

 

Top of Chair 23...remember how I said it was experts only - 20+mph winds...so anybody want some free facials?

 

 

Top of Chair 12 looking up at the peak...Mammoth was doing a FREE special on facials all day that day. LOL. The sky may be blue but it was blowing!!!

 

Edited March 22, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[Jus-A-CMax]

Looking at Scotty's run in the background. Dark blue, may be black runs. A lot of people can't decide whether to do it or chicken out...

 

 

Looking back at the traverse to "Daves Run", pretty steep traverse, not for the faint hearted or beginners. Snow was awesome at Daves Run.

 

 

Sitting on my lazy a$$...yes, us snowboarders are a lazy lot....we only got 1 stick...that's Chair 9 down below. Going down Daves Run after the traverse...

 

 

Who says you can't fit NUTHIN in a CMax...pretty long powder skis for my wife. Hot pink too...I think the skis are 180s...I dunno, I am a snowboarder...what do we know about skis...lol

 

 

Last day (weekday) at The Mill car park...loading the stuff into the car..

Edited March 22, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[Jus-A-CMax]

Race day....looking down from Chair 23 going up. That day they were racing from the top of Cornice to all the way down to the main lodge. This mean some runs were fenced off, bummed but thats why the US Ski teams are so good. I think this was the junior race day...what do I know, I am a snowboarder...asking me about ski stuff, lol.

 

 

 

My fave part of the drive - the 395 highway and especially going down Sherwin grade. You can see the mountain range on the right hand side and Owens Valley in the background. Astonishing and breath taking, picture does not do it justice...

 

 

 

 

Well, thats it...enjoy the thread and the stats. Thus far, I may not be the one with the most miles on this forum but since Dec 6, I have almost 9,700 miles and due for my 10K oil change. 

 

:wub2:  the car especially for its utilitarian abilities.

 

  PS difference in rear end between Maxine and a Prius...thats a new 2013 Fusion Titanium next to my car... :rockon:...Ford RULES, for this day  :)

Edited July 14, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[RachelnLa]

Those pics are amazing. No way I would go down that mountain. Loved the first one with her name in the snow. I just cannot get over how blue the sky is.

 

What? No snow angels??

[Jus-A-CMax]

Those pics are amazing. No way I would go down that mountain. Loved the first one with her name in the snow. I just cannot get over how blue the sky is.

 

What? No snow angels??

Snow Angels..seriously.... by a snowboarder...you have better luck getting me to ride down in an Elvis suit with the glasses and hair@ Mammoth. Seriously - I have DONE it. Amazing the balls you grow after a "Margarita Run" or 2  ;) 

 

 CA is one of the prettiest places to live in the US, bluebird skies is just that...BLUE  :)

[colea]

Great technical information and wonderful pictures.

 

But the part I liked the most is the admission of (requirement for?) an ice cream stop. Yes!

[valkraider]

I need to head down there and check it out.

 

It was your pics and info which I used to get my chains.

 

Next year I will have some studless traction tires and forgo the hassle...

[valkraider]

I'm so glad to be back out west... :)

[mtb9153]

Great bunch of pictures Jus A-CMax,  I tried skiing back in the 80's up at Kirkwood wasn't too good and never tried it again.  No regrets since it didn't agree with my legs.  Shin splints were horrible shortly after starting the run from the lift.  I'm very impressed with all your statistics and graphs.  What sort of software do you use to chart it all? Maxine looked awesome showed little dirt after driving in snow.  My platinum white sel shows dirt the most on the rear end due to the dirty air buildup. I'd like to find a better way of getting the air up and over the tail end to prevent or reduce this problem.  Thought of making some sort of roof air splitters/difussors across the width of the roofline in hopes of channeling the flow better from front to rear.  But not sure it would have an impact? Was thinking about driving south to Irvine next week since I need to send my High Def camcorder to Canon for repairs.  But decided it was more practical to ship it.  Makes me nervous shipping a $4k camera, but I guess that is what insurance is for?  Have a good week, safe driving.

[Jus-A-CMax]

Great bunch of pictures Jus A-CMax,  I tried skiing back in the 80's up at Kirkwood wasn't too good and never tried it again.  No regrets since it didn't agree with my legs.  Shin splints were horrible shortly after starting the run from the lift.  I'm very impressed with all your statistics and graphs.  What sort of software do you use to chart it all? Maxine looked awesome showed little dirt after driving in snow.  My platinum white sel shows dirt the most on the rear end due to the dirty air buildup. I'd like to find a better way of getting the air up and over the tail end to prevent or reduce this problem.  Thought of making some sort of roof air splitters/difussors across the width of the roofline in hopes of channeling the flow better from front to rear.  But not sure it would have an impact? Was thinking about driving south to Irvine next week since I need to send my High Def camcorder to Canon for repairs.  But decided it was more practical to ship it.  Makes me nervous shipping a $4k camera, but I guess that is what insurance is for?  Have a good week, safe driving.

 

Thanks, coming from you, Its very much appreciated  :) 

 

Kirkwood - I use to ride that mountain about almost 17 years ago when I was in Burlingame once a week. Wow, that brings back memories. You may want to try snowboarding, its much easier on the knees and your shin splints since you are travelling sideways so you have very much different pressure points and much, much, MUCH more comfortable boots than those hard ski boots. Give it a try, you may be addicted.  ;) 

 

Graphs is simple, I just use Excel. Plot the numbers into Excel and graph away. In fact, what you see on that pic is actully my Excel worksheet page, just screen captured with SnagIt. I just thought for some people its easier to see the graphs than it is to see numbers. But there are number people too so I supply both. I wanted to show how much the CMax can change over the odometer. Most people think that once the 3,000 or 5,000 mile is crossed, there is no more improvement but I think my numbers show otherwise - pay particular to the Mammoth to Home graph - this was the most consistent temperatures and exact same load.

 

Now as for the spolier - I think it may work but I am no aerodynamics engineer so tweak away my friend...I too am frustrated with the dirt and the reason why I got the same Platinum as you was that it was suppose to be harder to see the dirt...so says my wife. I dunno...I use to own a black Jaguar myself and then I had a white Ford XR-6 (its not an American car but boy can that car fang for a straight six).

 

Hard to call on your repair...but its quite a drive from SF to Irvine for sure, and I thought LA to SF to LA was bad  ;) . You will get frustrated with the 5 though from the 134 down though so try and avoid that if you can, go some other route more to the east if I were you. Perhaps take the 5 south from SF and then cut across the 210 and then cut down to Irvine from there...

[Jus-A-CMax]

I need to head down there and check it out.

 

It was your pics and info which I used to get my chains.

 

Next year I will have some studless traction tires and forgo the hassle...

Valk, do the run from Main Lodge or Mill Parking at Mammoth Mountain and all the way to Bishop, I hate to think about the insane MPGs you will get with the larger battery in your Energi  :) . I like my numbers but your Energi will rule supreme.

[Jus-A-CMax]

UPDATED Post #1 with Trip 5 data (see the picture graphs)

 

Conclusion - it appears the engine breakin has settled. Pretty much the same average MPGs for the trip (see graphs). From this, I would say the CMax engine starts to really break in from 3000 to 11,000 miles.

 

Still - an average of 45MPGs in Trip 4 and 5 carrying a FULL LOAD, 500 ft to 7,200 ft elevation difference, is pretty darn impressive for a Ford and with the heater running (thanks wifey ;) ) as well  :rockon: 

 

Enjoy  :) 

[rfruth]

How much hypermiling did you do to get 45 MPG Jus (nice job !) ?

[Jus-A-CMax]

How much hypermiling did you do to get 45 MPG Jus (nice job !) ?

Thanks, appreciate your reading my thread - hope you got some great info out of it.

 

Great question! And this is my take on it...

 

1. You can't fight physics when you're going uphill. And essentially from the start of my trip from San Fernando, you are climbing once you hit Via Princessa to Mojave (known as the high desert) to Lone Pine to Bishop to Toms Place and finally Mammoth Lakes. Steep grades, I stick to the right hand side and keep my power to the 2 bars and essentially that keeps my speed between 55 and 60 mph. Thats what trucks have to do in CA anyway so we're all used to it, not bother anyone as it's dual lanes. Plus, from my past trips, the long steep grades like Sherwin (north of Bishop) will so easily chew your gas if going faster than 63mph - and in the end, what for? I am only giving up like 15 mins difference if I speed like I did in my gas Jaguar Vanden Plas or I cruise up a hill as economically as possible and conserve gas for the return trips and around the Mammoth town, cause Mammoth is a very expensive town to gas up (as compares say the Indian place in Independence where I traditionally gas up and enjoy some Hagen Daz  ;) )

 

Here is the scary stuff, I think I can do a full 570 miles fully loaded trip from home to Mammoth and back but if I run out of gas, my wife is gonna KILL ME (she would not understand the carry spare tank) but it will be dependent on the weather completely and whether we do some around town trips. That would be the ultimate coolness as we have never achieved this with either the 98 Camry or the Vanden Plas. Had Ford given the CMaxs a 14 gallon or even better, a 15 gallon tank - OMFG - this will be a done deal  :rockon: . I may try this when we go up there in the summer, we'll see.

 

 

2. Flats - I have 2 choices: eco-cruise ICE High MPG (speeds betwen 68 and 70mph). I use this mainly on single lane like on the 14 between Red Rock Canyon and the 14/395 junction where it splits back to dual lanes. This won't p*ss off anyone as I am a tad above the speed limit and TRUST ME, you don't want to go more than 68mph as I have been pulled over and given a warning for doing 70mph on a 65mph speed limit by the CHP outside Indepedence when they have their "No Tolerance" weekend. Inside sources also tell me they are running these programs more due to CA going broke and it's a money spinner for the state, lets just leave it at that. 

 

On other times, I will use P&G like the stretch between Mojave and Jaw Bone (Red Rock) as I know there is a slight downslope over a ton of nice range of miles. I pulse to 65 and let it drop to 55 and recycle. This is a dual lane so I am not p*ssing off anyone. If I am too busy verbally jousting with the wifey, I stick it on eco ICE High MPG - winner, winner.

 

Knowing the roads and I do since I have been driving this stretch for more than a decade, is key to maximizing the FE but always remember, you can't fight physics and sometimes a flat road is not flat, its uphill and an optical illusion, your CMax will tell u that.... 

 

 

Coming home is a different strategy, its reverse - I paid my dues going up so I am collecting the dividends coming back - and it shows each and every time. I use the slope as much as I can and I actually do more manual ICE High MPGs as it gives me the choice to switch over to P&G based on the road, like going between Olancha to the 14/395 junction (now this 10 mile stretch before the junction is CHP radar alley - I see up to 5+ CHP with lasers as your speed down). 

 

To me, having a hybrid and driving like a lead footed gas engine makes as much sense as standing on a tee box and teeing off  with a pitching wedge for a Par 5, you're swinging like crazy (burning gas) on the long hole for nuthin. Take advantage of your car and max it - hit the driver 340 yards and then hit the pitching wedge for an Eagle  :rockon:

 

You know, hypermiling is so much my normal driving habit now, just taking advantage of the road and using your experience to max the FE. I am not sure how I would drive a gas engine car since I can't coast/regen... :sos:

Edited April 14, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[LizM]

Gorgeous pics, Jus!

[Jus-A-CMax]

LizM, you're welcome. This is one of the most picturesque drives in CA, it is stunning....the best part is coming down from Toms Place to Bishop where you see an entire valley, marvel at the snow capped Sierra range and contrast it with the flatness of the valleys, the ranches in the background...and your jaw drops in awe at the creation of such fine majestic beauty. I never, ever tire of this moment and if I can share it with all of you, I will.... :)

Edited April 14, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[MadManMoon]

I'm still a few months away from ordering my car, but your excellent reviews and detailed pictures are tiding me over!  :)

 

I've been out to the Ridgecrest and Oxnard areas before, and I could easily live anywhere in that part of the country - just not in LA proper, too crowded.

[Jus-A-CMax]

I'm still a few months away from ordering my car, but your excellent reviews and detailed pictures are tiding me over!   :)

 

I've been out to the Ridgecrest and Oxnard areas before, and I could easily live anywhere in that part of the country - just not in LA proper, too crowded.

:rockon:  Excellent, glad you liked it and hope you got some information out of it. It was a test of the car and I think the CMax passed with flying colors but I liked seeing the consistency in the improvements.

 

Yeah, Ventura is a nice county to live in. I can think of several areas I like to move to...one day. Less tax is also a huge incentive but unfortunately, right now is not a good time for me.

[grmbnm1]

I know it doesn't matter, but the Ford parked next to you was actually a Fusion, not a Focus...haha.

Thanks for the informative trip summaries!

[Jus-A-CMax]

I know it doesn't matter, but the Ford parked next to you was actually a Fusion, not a Focus...haha.

 

Thanks for the informative trip summaries!

Yeah, I know it was a Fusion but I typed it up as a Focus...me bad..., thanks for the clarification and glad you enjoyed the writeup :)

 

...and welcome to the Forum :rockon:

 

 

 

I can't wait to go back, now that I have my 3.5.1 update and would like to see the improvements (if any) that Ford Motor has given us stealthy. Mind you it still could be breakin since we don't know really when this peaked. Amazing, amazing. Also, the warmup time is alleged to be shorter as well...we shall see.

 

So lots and lots of things to look out for so keep an eye on this thread as we get to the end of the year ;)

Edited July 14, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[MomsHugs]

Brother Jus ~ Your pics of Mammoth's ski range are some real beauties. I've not been there, but your pics reminded me of skiing Alta, UT & Big Sky, MT especially - both had that incredible blue sky. A really big 'thank you' for how to get higher MPG driving in those altitudes.

 

Since I'll be driving through the Appalachian Mtns heading back to the Midwest next summer, do you know if hybrids like the C-Max operate differently in higher altitudes than all-gas vehicles with similar loads?

 

Thanks again! ~ MomsHugs/Eve

Edited August 21, 2014 by MomsHugs

[Jus-A-CMax]

Eve, no difference at higher elevation. CMax performs like any other gas car. Now if its cold, don' expect your EV to do that much either but since its summer - you're good as gold.

 

I've been to SLC and since I board, I did not hit Alta but did the local mtns. My preference still remains Aspen and Steamboat, a close second on my fave list.  However, my Mammoth is just brilliant for the snow coverage and quality snow abliet theres nothing like the Utah Champagne.

[RockwallRick]

Awesome Pics!! Haven't seen scenery like that since I got back from Switzerland last year! :rockon:

[Jus-A-CMax]

Thanks RockwallRick, there is another thread. I :love_shower:  pics and I use to take a ton of pics with my Canon S compact camera all the time (great little wee camera). Its still takes better shots than my S4 camera.

 

I've not been to Switzerland yet but I have ridden Austria and Italy and Italy<->France and Bulgaria. I luv Europe, the beer and food is sensational and it helps to have a gf (an ex) while I was there. Great union for sure.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Jus-A-CMax