This travel article provides travel
information from Mammoth Lakes in the south to the Mono Lake area in the
north. Towns covered in this article include Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Bodie.
The Mammoth Lakes area of the Eastern Sierra is my second favorite outdoors
recreational area in California, just behind Lassen National Volcanic Park.
My favorite time to visit this area is in between seasons.
Mammoth Lakes has two distinct seasons, summer and winter. In the winter the
town is crowded with LA basin skiers. In the summer the town is crowded with
a mix of Bay Area and LA visitors. I enjoy visiting the Eastern Sierra any
time of the year, however I particularly enjoy visiting in mid September to
the end of October. The aspen is turning color. You can watch the
progression of reds and gold's slowly make its way down the steep sides of
the mountains. In mid September only the aspen located at the upper reaches
of the mountains has turned color. By mid October the slopes ring out with
the colorful splendors. The days are still warm even at 8000 feet while the
nights have a crisp cold feel to them. There are very few people visiting
the Eastern Sierra this time of year. The streets, trails, and outdoors are
fairly empty of people. Lastly, it is also an excellent time to find sales
at the local outdoor stores.
The Mammoth area has so much to offer in the way of outdoor activities.
Hiking trails are numerous, little visited streams flowing with cold clear
water are nestled among the shadows of the sharp Eastern Sierra peaks, hot
springs gurgle and wait for our body if you know where to find them, small
lakes open their waters to those who carry a pole, and unusual geological
formations abound. All this waits for you just a mere 5 or 6 hours from the
LA basin any time of the year. If you like to drive fast on the 395 you will
no doubt get to Mammoth closer to the five hours, and if you like to take
your time expect between 6 and 7 hours. Those who live in the Bay area will
find it takes about the same amount of time to drive to Mammoth in the
summer as it does those who live
in Los Angeles.
However, it is a different story in the winter. All the major roads over the
Sierras are closed except the great Interstate 80. In the summer you can cut
over on Highways 108 or 120 (Sonora and Tioga pass respectively). In the
winter you have to drive the 80 to Reno and then cut down on the 395 which
is doable, except you will probably spend most of your day driving.
