Mammoth Lakes isn’t called Mammoth LAKES for no reason. Just make your way to the Lakes Basin and you’ll see what I mean. The Lakes Basin embodies everything that attracts thousands of visitors to this beautiful area every year. From boating and fishing to hiking and horseback riding, there is something for everyone. The first gem of the lakes basin is the Twin Lakes Waterfall. The waterfall flows into Twin Lakes which are perfect for fishing and site seeing. Twin Lakes even hosts an amazing restaurant, Lakefront Restaurant, to finish the day.

Next, you’ll see Lake Mary. I remember fishing on the shoreline at this picturesque lake with my dad and sister when we were little. As my sister and I were playing with the worms that were supposed to be used for bait, my dad called us over to check out the bear cubs that were fishing down shore from where we were.  If you are interested in fishing and checking out the wildlife, Lake Mary is the place to go. At one of the two marinas for boat rentals, you can rent pontoons, pedal boats, row boats, motor boats, canoes, and kayaks.

Continue up the road and you’ll reach another lake at about 9,000ft in elevation. Lake George is great since most of the shoreline can be fished while taking in one of the best views the basin has to offer. Rent some paddleboards in town or kayaks at Lake Mary and spend the day out on the lake. Lake George also has some rocks that you can jump off of into the lake if you’re up for an adventure!

If fishing isn’t for you, there are plenty of other things to do up in the Lakes Basin. Bring your bikes,  or rent some bikes and take the new trail that loops around Horseshoe Lake and overlooks the town for some spectacular views and some fun exercise. Horseback riding is an additional way to spend your day with horseback riding lessons and horseback tours available at the Pack Outfit. They have trail guides and offer trails for different levels of expertise.

The Lakes Basin is also a great place for some of the best hiking in California. Be sure to grab a trail guide and head up for some awesome hikes. Hike out of Coldwater up to Arrowhead Lake for some great views, nature, and some cliff jumping. If this hike isn’t long enough for you, keep going past Arrowhead up to Skelton Lake, then Barney Lake, and even up to Duck Lake at the base of Duck Pass.

If you want to bring your dogs up to Mammoth, head past Lake George on up to Horseshoe Lake. Take a walk around and check out the dead trees and the old mining cabins that surround the lake. Horseshoe Lake is also great for paddle boarding, kayaking, and even swimming while you enjoy the scenery. There is also a great, fifteen minute hike up to McLeod Lake, perfect for dogs and kids.

There are tons of fun things to do up at the Lakes Basin. Pack a lunch or stop by the marinas to grab some sandwiches for a picnic at one of the lakes with your group  and make a day out of it! Don’t forget your camera, sunscreen and bug spray!

Sam Knadler
Assistant Manager
Mammoth Reservations
www.facebook.com/mammothreservations

Hiking in the Eastern Sierra is quite possibly my favorite pastime, or at least tied with skiing in the Eastern Sierra. This summer started early with the low snow year which means hiking trails are opening constantly as the snow melts. So far this season I have conquered a few good hikes, some really short ones; others full on hiking adventures.

Hiking in the Eastern Sierras is a different experience for me than hiking at lower elevations or Washington where I’m from. The first difference the stark beauty of the surroundings; almost every hike in the area offers beautiful lake and mountain views with cliff jumping, rock climbing, camping and fishing opportunities along the way. There are so many different hikes varying from beginner to insane within a 20 minute drive from Mammoth Lakes that there are always new adventures to go on and something for everyone in the group. If you love a long 10-14 mile hike to start the day, but your friends want something easier, many trailheads offer varying degrees of difficulty starting from the same place.

A good place to start in Mammoth Lakes is at the Coldwater Campground by Lake Mary. This trailhead has abundant parking and two trailheads that give several different options for hiking. Last week some friends and I headed up towards Duck Lake and on the way a couple of members in our group stopped and fished at Skelton Lake while we continued on. On the way back down we met up, had lunch, and took our time back to the parking lot. The nice thing about Coldwater is that the scenic views and lakes start about a mile into the hike and continue back in to the John Muir Wilderness for miles and miles so how far you go, and how intense the hike is, is all up to you.

Coldwater is just one of many, many hiking options in and around Mammoth Lakes. To go through the list would take pages, but all of them are gorgeous. The key ingredients to remember for your hike are comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, a snack or lunch depending on the length of the hike, and sunscreen. Being at this elevation has a lot of advantages, but it’s also dehydrating in the high desert and it’s much easier to get sunburned than at lower elevations. For any supplies you need, or for more information on hiking and backpacking in the Eastern Sierra Kittredge Sports is the place to go.  Kittredge is right across the street from Mammoth Reservations, so once you pick up your condo key from us just walk over and show them your key and you can get an extra 30% off any of their Summer Rental Gear. Their phone number is 760-934-7566 and more hiking info can be found on their website.

Like many locals in Mammoth I moved here for the winter, but I stayed for the summers after I fell in love with the scenery and hiking around Mammoth Lakes. For me, there is no better feeling than being outside in the amazing summer weather here. The feeling of being outside, the sights, the smells of sand and sage, all of them add up to be a very fulfilling experience.

Trisha Baker
www.facebook.com/MammothReservations