Growing up, I all the time heard my classmates whose dad and mom took them on winter ski journeys speaking about Mammoth Mountain. I wasn’t a skier again then and though I dabble as of late, it’s removed from my favourite winter exercise. As an grownup, I’ve been fortunate sufficient to find that Mammoth Lakes is a lot greater than only a ski mountain.
This distinctive a part of California is filled with dramatic lakes framed by attractive mountains, quite a few sizzling springs, and magical winter landscapes good for snowshoeing in. These are among the finest issues to do in Mammoth Lakes within the winter:
12. Hot Springs
As a bona fide sizzling spring fanatic, the wealth of sizzling springs is what initially impressed me to take a winter journey to Mammoth. It’s laborious to beat the great thing about the snow whereas watching it from a pure sizzling tub in the course of nowhere. My favourite springs are ‘primitive’ that means pure, freed from cost, and HOT. The three springs off of Benton Crossing Road simply south of the city of Mammoth Lakes all match the invoice.
Since every of those Springs is situated down a dust street, within the winter months the roads are closed and also you’ll should hike or snowshoe in (carry snowshoes if it has snowed lately because it’s much less prone to be packed down). They’re all accessible from the similar basic roadside parking at a couple of mile’s stroll down a largely flat path. In the summer time, it’s a simple drive.
Don’t assume the hike means individuals will likely be swayed from going, although! If you need any likelihood of getting these to your self, go at dawn (and also you would possibly nonetheless share, however sharing is caring).
- Willy’s Hot Spring: Pictured above, the well-known heart-shaped pool had me intrigued. The temperature is ideal, and when you get there with others round, there are a few different springs within the space which might be equally heat and beautiful. This is a couple of mile’s hike from the street down a flat path.
- Hilltop Hot Spring: The closest to the street, this is without doubt one of the extra common springs within the winter months because it’s the shortest stroll.
- Crab Cooker Hot Spring: With the very best view of the mountains, this pool is a couple of mile from the roadside parking in the wrong way of Willy’s and is pleasantly sizzling.
While I’m not out to share any tremendous secret springs, these are all simply discovered on Google maps and are not any secret, so after a fast search you’ll be in enterprise.
11. Snow Shoe
Speaking of snow-shoeing, there’s no scarcity of alternative within the Mammoth space. One of the very best is the Minaret Vista, a favourite spot to observe the sundown and stargaze. This hike is simply about 4 miles spherical journey from the MMSA Main Lodge on a groomed path. It’s a gradual uphill however nonetheless pretty simple and household pleasant.
The Panorama dome is one other pretty simple hike with a beautiful payoff view. Beginning on the Lake Mary Road winter closure, stroll alongside the street till reaching the Old Mammoth Road, turning left. The hike is about 1.6 miles and might be accomplished as a loop.
Those had been the 2 hikes that I picked for my go to, however there are nearly limitless alternatives within the space you could select from based mostly in your talent stage and want to sweat. If you’re new to snowshoeing, needless to say it all the time takes longer than mountaineering, and takes a bit extra power, too.
10. Convict Lake
There are so many lakes in Mammoth — it will get the identify Mammoth Lakes for a purpose — however Convict is one among my favorites for that stunning reflection. I personally find it irresistible early within the morning, notably for the dawn because it illuminates the mountains, however you possibly can take pleasure in it for the sundown as effectively.
The street in is often saved plowed, however you gained’t be capable to drive all the best way across the lake. But you possibly can snowshoe it when you’re eager! I additionally selected to remain on the Convict Lake Resort after I visited. It’s delightfully removed from the hustle and bustle of Mammoth Lakes and the cabins are good! It’s additionally a lot nearer to the recent springs and Hot Creek (#8 on this listing).
June lake, Grant Lake, Crowley Lake, and Twin Lakes are pretty within the winter, too. Keep an eye fixed on street closures as they’re not all the time fully accessible.
9. Snowcat at Sunset or Under the Full Moon
Just since you’re not snowboarding doesn’t imply you possibly can’t benefit from the mountain tops! If you’ve by no means ridden in a snow cat earlier than, they’re the machines used to groom the slopes within the evenings and they could be a pleasure to experience in. On Mammoth Mountain, you possibly can take them up for a sundown dinner, or a full moon expertise.
Each snowcat holds 12 individuals and the excursions usually final for 2 hours. Adults are $120 and kids are $75. Book it right here.
8. Hot Creek Geological Site
Ever since seeing {a photograph} of the Hot Creek Geological Site for the primary time, I knew that I needed to see it coated in snow, in its full glory.
Hot Creek Geological Site options effervescent pure springs by a canyon you could hike all the way down to, and/or take pleasure in from the cliffs up above. Be further cautious mountaineering down within the winter months. Snowshoes or no less than spikes are really useful.
Although it’s usually potential to drive proper as much as the car parking zone with the viewpoints, within the winter you’ll have to hike a mile and a half every method alongside the dust street, which will likely be coated in snow. I used snow footwear nevertheless it was lengthy sufficient and packed down sufficient after the newest snow that I most likely might’ve gotten away with simply boots. By the best way, it could be temping to take a 4WD truck down the snowy street, however don’t do it. I noticed a truck caught within the snow that needed to be pulled out.
Keep in thoughts this water is method too sizzling to soak in, nevertheless it’s not removed from the aforementioned sizzling springs. Although the dawn would supply gorgeous alpenglow on the mountains, I settled for sundown and had a stunning present as effectively.
7. Snowmobile
Feeling the necessity for velocity? Consider renting a snowmobile or taking a snowmobile tour. DJ’s Snowmobile Adventures earlier than city, and Snowmobile Adventures in Mammoth Lakes are each highly-rated experiences providing excursions. For your individual rental try Sierra Engines. The critiques are blended, however studying the proprietor’s responses to the 1-stars are, on the very least, entertaining.
6. Sled
If you may have youngsters with you, or when you’re an enormous child like I’m, why not go sledding? If you may have your individual sled or saucer, Shady Rest park together with just a few different stops alongside the scenic Mammoth Scenic Loop are nice locations to take a look at.
If it’s essential hire, head to Woolly’s Tube Park and Snow Play on the town to snow tube in addition to sled. Advanced reserving is really useful as this can be a common exercise. See part #4 beneath for evening sledding information.
5. Ride the Gondola
Looking for a simple option to get an incredible view? The gondola up Mammoth Mountain supplies gorgeous views with out having to interrupt a sweat. There’s a café on the prime together with an interpretive heart. Look for the Panorama Gondola constructing throughout from the primary lodge. The roundtrip experience prices $33 and runs from 8:30am to three:30pm, with the final experience at 3:15 working solely as a scenic experience (no exiting the gondola).
4. Apres-Ski
You don’t should ski to benefit from the apre-ski social gathering. Check out the Village at Mammoth the place you’ll discover the favored Mammoth Brewing Company, The Lakefront on the Tamarack Lodge, the Yodler throughout from the primary lodge, or strive tubing or surf sledding after darkish with gentle sticks at Woolly’s Tube Park.
3. Catch a Sunrise
Let’s be sincere, it will likely be effectively beneath freezing and also you’ll should psych your self out to withstand the seductive snooze button, however when you’re already planning on waking up early to beat the crowds to any of the recent springs, I extremely advocate persevering with a bit past the place you’ll park for the springs on the Benton Crossing Road to catch dawn. You’re prone to see some low hanging fog because the dawn illuminates the attractive Sierras, making a photographer’s dream scene.
This street may have automobiles going up and down, so be looking out and don’t plan to have a tripod within the street. I captured this selfie with a drone.
2. Fly Fishing
I admit I’m not a fisherwoman, however after I checked in on the Convict Lake Resort, the lady on the entrance desk requested me if I used to be within the space to go fishing. Apparently the winter time is a good time to go fly fishing, and you’ll catch trout all all through the world. The Sierra Drifters provide excursions on the Owen’s River close to the recent springs and Hot Creek.
1. Mono Lake
This is, I suppose, extra of an honorable point out since it’s a couple of 30-minute drive from Mammoth Lakes, but when it’s non-windy day I like to recommend hightailing it on the market for the sundown. While the opposite lakes could freeze, Mono Lake doesn’t. It’s saltier than the ocean and the limestone tufas rising out of the water and alongside the banks make for a singular panorama you gained’t discover elsewhere.
My favourite half is the South Tufa space, pictured above with a shocking sundown and moonrise. Although Google maps confirmed the 120 as closed, it was really plowed past the South Tufa flip off, so if it’s been some time because the final snow, this space should still be accessible within the winter no matter what Caltrans says. It’s potential you’ll should hike in from the tar street a couple of mile and a half, however the snow had melted sufficient by the point I visited to make all of it the best way to the car parking zone. Otherwise, the customer’s heart parking on the west aspect is far more accessible.
Pin me for later:
If you’re going to be street tripping alongside the 395 freeway past Mammoth or to get to the Mammoth space and have a while, positively try the Alabama Hills down south and/or the numerous stops alongside this magical freeway, which has turn out to be my favourite in California (sure, much more than PCH!).
*Some hyperlinks on this submit are affiliate hyperlinks for services we personally use and love. Any buy you make by them helps us at no further value to you. Thanks a lot!