Page 119 - 2023-2024 Travel Guide to California

FALL COLORS IN THE MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN, opposite top; Live music at the Bluesapalooza Festival
of Beer and Blues, opposite bottom; Bike riding on the Mammoth Lakes multi-use path network, right;
Snowshoeing to Minaret Vista, bottom.
Winter Adventure
As the country’s premier mountain destina-
tion, Mammoth Lakes recently won “Best
Ski Town in North America” in 2022 USA
Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards,
beating out 19 other North American moun-
tain towns. And for good reasons.
As its name suggests, the Mammoth
Mountain ski resort is gigantic, with terrain
descending from multiple peaks and runs
suitable for all levels of skiers. The resort
offers more than a dozen terrain parks for
snowboarders and hosts regular competi-
tions for those who just want to watch. Fuel
up at Mammoth Mountain’s eating and
drinking venues such as The Mill BBQ, the
indoor/outdoor Lincoln Bar at Canyon
Lodge, or Eagle Lodge’s Fowl Language
southern-style restaurant. Then, work off
those meals with cross-country skiing at
the Tamarack Ski Center and on the Mam-
moth Lakes Nordic Trail System. For
non-skiers, the Mammoth Lakes area offers
dogsled rides, snowmobiling, snowshoe
tours, fat-tire snow biking, and even
snowcat rides to scenic picnic spots. And
small children will love Mammoth’s tubing
park, the winter parades with mascot
“Woolly” and scenic gondola rides. At June
Mountain, a laid-back ski resort 20 miles
from Mammoth Lakes, kids 12 and under
ski for free!
If it’s too cold outside, dine and play
inside at the Mammoth Rock ’n’ Bowl, or
catch a film at the Minaret Cinemas, which
offers a beer and wine service. Beer enthu-
siasts can sip through the Eastern Sierra
Brewery Tour and taste more regional
brews at the Public House Tap Room. Then,
warm up with fish tacos and margaritas at
Gomez's in the Village of Mammoth or the
hot Cuban Sandwiches of the Dos Alas
CubaRican Café with equally tasty views of
the Sherwin Mountains.
Spring Activities
During springtime, many visitors take on
the challenge of completing the “spring
triathlon” of skiing, biking and fishing all in
one day. And take advantage of great deals
on Mammoth Lakes lodging and activities,
including late-season sunny skiing (Mam-
moth Mountain often stays open past
Memorial Day) or early biking, fishing or
hiking to see early wildflower blooms.
Birding enthusiasts also arrive to
observe the over 300 species of local and
migratory birds flying through the area
during spring, or the horde of 50,000 Cali-
fornia gulls nesting at Mono Lake each year.
And as the skies clear up, the Eastern Sierra
Observatory offers great stargazing oppor-
tunities for visitors during their extended
May viewing dates.
Fall Colors
The fall foliage in Mammoth Lakes offers a
visual feast during hikes through the
vibrant colors of the season on the Mam-
moth Rock Trail or the Heart Lake Trail to
breathe in the crisp autumn air and
immerse yourself in nature. If camping is
more your style, pitch your tent amidst the
trees at the Sherwin Creek Campground.
For a scenic drive, take a trip on the June
Lake Loop, winding through the mountains
to witness the stunning reds, yellows and
greens of aspen groves and cottonwood
trees nestled below towering pine forests.
For a more adventurous experience, soar
above this breathtaking display on a heli-
copter tour. Or, saddle up and view the
foliage by horseback on day trips or multi-
day adventures through historical sites in
the hills, for a taste of the Wild West. In the
mood for something eerie? Visit the ghost
town within Bodie State Park, an abandoned
gold mining settlement located about 60
miles north of Mammoth Lakes—the offi-
cial ghost town of the State of California.
2023-24 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 117