How to Visit Mammoth Lakes in California
Mammoth Lakes are several small alpine lakes located in the eastern Sierra Nevada Range. A premier destination for southern California ski enthusiasts, Mammoth Lakes are just over 300 miles north of Los Angeles, but more importantly, three hours closer then Lake Tahoe. Many feel that with an already short weekend, they can ski at a destination requiring less travel time and is less crowded. For those who are not passionate about winter sports, summer at Mammoth offers many more options. There are relatively easy hikes around the lakes and more strenuous hikes into the Sierra Nevada. One can rent canoes, kayaks, or fishing equipment. The best place to begin would be at Twin Lakes.
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Things You'll Need
- Map of California
- Good hiking boots
- Layered clothing
- Water
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Camera
Instructions
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Drive past the village of Mammoth Lakes on Lake Mary Road. Twin Lakes are visible to the right. Somewhat of a misnomer, these two smaller lakes have a fitting name until the next lake, Upper Twin, is factored in. Triplet Lakes seem more apropos.
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Stop at the Twin Lakes and take the trail around the lakes. One can also rent small watercraft here.
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Continue the drive and opt to take the Lake Mary Loop Road. The loop road is a spur route separate from the primary road and not to be confused with Lake Mary Road.
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Stop, as parking permits, and take amazing photographs of Mary and its Sierra Nevada backdrop. There are hiking and rental options around this lake as well.
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Return to Lake Mary Road and continue on towards roads end and Horseshoe Lake. While Horseshoe has rentals as well, it is also serves as a trailhead to McLeod Lake, a one-mile round trip. Each lake seems more beautiful and pristine than the last.
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Opt to spend the entire day hiking. The Red’s Meadow trail forks off the McLeod trail and continues up to this alpine meadow. It’s about a seven-mile round trip.
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Drive to Red’s Meadow instead. This requires returning to town and accessing Minaret Road which becomes Minaret Summit Road (State Highway 203). Directional signs will point to Red’s Meadow and the Devil’s Postpile National Monument nearby.
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Look for directional signs to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. At almost three miles round trip, this is a highly recommended hike. The falls resemble Vernal Falls in Yosemite, but with less of a drop.
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Return to the auto and backtrack to Devil’s Postpile National Monument. Pay the nominal fee and take a short hike to the post pile. Columns, reaching well over fifty feet high and in the shape of an octagon, seem perfectly stacked against a ridge. Standing atop the columns, each one seems a perfect fit, like a jigsaw. Jumbled remnants of the columns that have broken off lay piled below.
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Tips & Warnings
Make reservations well in advance at any area campground or hotel. The eastern Sierra is one of the most sparsely populated regions of California. Accommodations are limited. Staying in South Lake Tahoe and driving to Mammoth may be an option.
Bodie ghost town, Mono Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows are a short drive from Mammoth.
Bears!
Resources
- Photo Credit James Barnett
