Summertime In The Sierra Nevadas
Mammoth Mountain and the surrounding Mammoth Lakes area may reach its peak as a destination in the wintertime, but its also provides for some high times in the summertime.
Here’s a look at places to go and things to do in and around Mammoth Lakes when there’s no snow on the ground.
Mammoth Lakes Attractions
Devils Postpile National Monument
You’ve no doubt passed the sign for this dozens of times while blasting up to the ski resort in the winter, and have often wondered what it is and perhaps even said you’ll go and check it out sometime.
Devils Postpile National Monument is a pile of 60-foot basalt columns that looks somewhat like a pile of timber.
Two miles downstream is Rainbow Falls, so named because the water falls in a rainbow of colors. There’s an easy 1.5-mile trail to it from the Reds Meadow area and mandatory shuttle buses depart from Adventure Center at the base of Mammoth Mountain and The Village at Mammoth.
Mammoth Lakes Basin
Here, you can rent a mountain bike or a boat. Located just few miles up Lake Mary Road, there’s kayaking, fishing. swimming in the lake and hiking for all levels of hikes; the most popular trials are Duck Pass Trail, McLeod Lake Trail, Mammoth Crest Trail, TJ and Barrett Lake Trails.
Insider tip: please note the signs in certain areas of Horseshoe warning visitors about areas of highly concentrated carbon dioxide gas in the soil. Swimming destinations in these areas are not permitted.
Link: Mammoth Lakes Basin
Weekend Food, Wine, Beer, & Music Festivals
Mammoth is full of festivals this summer, let by craft beer and live music at the Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza.
There’s also the “World’s Highest Rib Cook-off” plus a wine festival. PubClub.com has a complete rundown off all the summertime events so click here.
Mammoth Lakes Summer Recreational Activities
Mountain Biking
There’s all kinds of mountain biking around Mammoth. There’s 38 trails in the Mammoth Bike Park from the beginner-friendly Discovery Zone to more advanced trails with the daredevil names of Off The Top (intermediate), Pipeline (expert) and Kamikaze (expert).
Or alternatively, take a quiet tour through the Eastern Sierras.
Access to trails is $17; lift tickets to trails on the mountain are extra.
Link: Mammoth Summer Biking Trails & Tickets
Kayaking & SUPing
Paddle across Mono Lake, often described as one of the most other worldly landscapes in the U.S. In a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard, kick back, relax and enjoy the scenery past the sandy beach of Horseshoe Lake and cruise around the tree snags that line the shore.
Cost: $25 per person from Natural Retreats Kayaking & SUP.
Fishing
If you’re one who likes to fish for something more than just compliments, the crystal clear waters of Convict Lake provide the opportunity. Fly fishing is big here, and you can do it for $25 per person from Natural Retreats Fly Fishing.
The lake has Rainbow, Brook, and Brown trout throughout the summer season and the the Mammoth Lakes Basin also includes June Lake.
Accommodations
There are may places to stay in and around Mammoth; you can check out these places from Natural Retreats rentals.
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