[img]images/destinations/mammoth-lakes/mammoth-lake-th.jpg[/img]Playak Spot Discussion: : USA, CA: Touring: Mammoth Lakes

California Touring Tip: Mammoth Lakes.

This place looks awsome. My wife and I were just talking about a trip out to mammoth lake and your pics sealed it up.we cant wait to come out and paddle a couple of these lakes can anyone recommend a reasonably priced place to stay around the lakes.

I was wondering if this area would fall within the Pacific Crest Trail route or the route of the Continental Devide trail. Looks like a very nice place to spend time and perhaps one day I'll get there. Summer in the NWT is usually very nice and the paddling on Great Slave Lake excellent so I hate to leave till fall. Greg

I camp at the Lake Mary campground. Camping is on a first-come first-served basis, so you'll want to arrive mid-week in the summertime in order to secure a camping spot.

Due to the draught we had this past winter, everything is pretty dry, and the lake's water level is low. I personally would wait until next year to come out.

At Mammoth Lake you also need to keep in mind that snow pack doesn't melt off at the same time every year. Last year we had so much rain, the campground and lakes, didn't open until the second week of July, whereas this year it melted in the early part of June.

To play it safe, I would plan your trip right after the 4th of July. You don't want to wait until August, becasue of the tropical thunder and lightning storms that frequently occur in the vicinity.

While you're in the area be sure to hit the string of lakes all along I-395
starting with Rock Creek, Convict Lake, Mammoth Lake, June Lake Loop: June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake, then go to Lundy Lake, Virginia Lake, and finish up with Twin Lakes, in Bridgeport.

The lakes are small, so you can easily paddle them all in a week.

if you have any more questions email me at: [mail address protected from spambots with javascript]

The Mammoth Lake Visitor's Bureau www.visitmammoth.com/ will be able to assist you if you want to find a hotel or rent a condo.

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It is on the Pacific Crest Trail route.

upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0...l_route_overview.png

Mammoth Lakes is located between number 29 and number 27 on the map on the link above.

That would be one LONG and difficult walk, especially in the high elevation around Mammoth Lakes and all of the lakes located along I-395.

The fall might be a good time to go when the leaves change colors, but the weather can be unstable after 9-1. It's possible to encounter a snow storm.



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The mammoth lakes are also featured on PaddlingCalifornia.com www.paddlingcalifornia.com/Lake_Mamie.html