The spectacular Mammoth Lakes, a picturesque mountain town in California, is the gateway to Sierra’s natural treasures and is headlined by the Mammoth Lakes Basin filled with glacier-carved lakes lying picture-perfect amidst pine forests and surrounded by rugged mountains.
An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with jaw-dropping scenic views, you can hike, and bike along cascading streams and murmuring brooks, camp in the verdant valleys, go fishing or cruising, or like me, wander around the woods looking for the icy blue alpine lakes. If you are planning a trip to Mammoth Lakes this year, some travel inspiration coming your way with this list of adventure activities.
Half Day Excursion to Mono Lake
The first destination on my unforgettable journey through Mammoth Lakes is Mono Lake, just a 30-minute drive from town, following Highway 395 towards Lee Vining. The towering limestone and tufa towers rising around the saline Mono Lake grab my attention as I lose myself in the surreal landscape. The sapphire shades of water stand out against the white deposits as a flock of sandpipers look for food around the green algae. The highly alkaline lake is one of the oldest lakes in California and is referred to as a terminal lake, for it has no outlet. Standing there I am taken in by the unique ecosystem that supports a variety of flora and fauna, including flocks of migratory birds. Whether you’re into hiking, photography, bird watching, swimming, boating, or cross-country skiing, Mono Lake offers a plethora of activities to indulge in and enjoy.
Explore Mammoth Lakes Basin
Located just minutes from Downtown, the Mammoth Lakes Basin is undoubtedly the crown jewel in this region. There are five serene lakes but if you explore beyond the town into the mountains, you will discover countless waterbodies dotting the area. Head to the Twin Lakes, discover Lake Mary and Lake Mamie and lose yourself in the scenic vistas around Lake George. My favourite is the Horseshoe Lake, nestled amidst woodlands. There are over 50 miles of hiking and biking trails while you can also go on a self-driving adventure from the town and camp under the stars in the designated sites around the mountainous playgrounds. There is also a free Orange Line Trolley from the town that takes you into the heart of the basin as well.
The Mammoth Lakes Basin is now open to pedestrians and bikers. Due to very limited parking, visitors are encouraged to use the FREE Lakes Basin Trolley, which runs daily from 9am to 6pm, between The Village and the Twin Lakes Parking Lot. With winter closures ending, many activities are starting to reopen. For updates on expected spring and summer 2024 openings, visit the official Visit Mammoth website.
Hike the Sierra Nevada Range
Come spring and summer the Eastern Sierra mountains are carpeted by a riot of colours as the wildflowers bloom, the streams are overflowing, the forest floors are verdant and there are secret alpine lakes waiting to be discovered in the wilderness. Surrounded by over two million acres of Inyo National Forest, hikers throng the mountains as there are several designated trails like the forested path around Convict Lake while the McGee Creek Trail can be a bit more demanding. However, if you are a bit more adventurous, explore the Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail. The trailheads are accessible by the free Mammoth Bike Park Shuttle which starts from the Village to the Mammoth Adventure Centre. You can hike to the summit of Mammoth Mountain where you can see sweeping views of the dramatic Minarets beside the peaks of Mt Ritter and Banner Peak. The Minaret Vista Trail, the Mammoth Mountain Trails, and the Dragon’s Back Trail are some of the popular routes.
Ride the mountains like a pro
Be it biking or mountain biking, Mammoth Lake has different terrains for different routes and you can soak up the sunshine and admire the views along the way. Chug along the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge towards the Minaret Vista for some breathtaking views. You can even rent an electric bike or head to the Mountain Bike Park where you can learn mountain biking as well. There are biking routes galore, events and rides and even a guided trail around the lakes, high up in the Sierras. Choose your adventure, your terrain, your trail and your bike.
A rocky adventure
Scale new heights as you try rock climbing this summer which is a summer sport. There are several guided outdoor rock climbing and bouldering experiences for families and beginners and even kids can challenge themselves on boulders and slabs near Horseshoe Lake and Crowley Lake. There is a local rock-climbing school where you can learn and attend different courses as well. However, the Sierra mountains with its volcanic craggy outcrops are a destination for ambitious and experienced rock climbers from around the world. There are short climbs and long alpine routes available as well as group excursions with professional alpine guides which can even take up to three days around Mammoth Lakes extending to Yosemite National Park.
Kayak away into the wild
The very heart of Mammoth Lakes are the crystal clear glacier lakes, the bubbling streams and creeks and the overflowing reservoirs making it one of the best trout fishing destinations in California. Take a dip in the glacial lakes or soak yourself in the warm hot springs. On a bright sunny morning, rent a kayak or paddle away on the alpine lakes, gazing upon the ethereal scenery of Mammoth Mountain from Lake Mary. You can choose any of the lakes around Mammoth Lakes Basin and every view surpasses the other. Birds come calling and sometimes you might even spot a black bear or two. There are also boating cruises for families and picnickers.
But this is just a sheer glimpse of the adventure that lies in store for you. You can tee away amidst stunning locales, ride horses into the mountain valleys, dive into the unchartered waters. and go on road trips exploring Yosemite National Park and Tuolumne Meadows, Mt Whitney among other magnificent places in California. But the best way to truly experience the surreal beauty is to just let go and allow the untamed wilderness and raw wild beauty of the destination to flood your senses. As they say Mammoth Lakes is the Real Unreal.
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