Mammoth Lakes: Red Top Peak
The last weekend of May, some friends and I headed to down to Mammoth for some mellow peak bagging fun. “Mellow” by their standards, less so for mine. First stop on our list was Red Top Peak outside of Mammoth Lakes.
Devils Postpile National Monument
Devils Postpile National Monument is a gem of the Eastern Sierra. Once a part of Yosemite National Park, Devils Postpile is now its own standalone national attraction. The name refers to a cliff of columnar basalt exposed by glaciation. The NPS website does a far better job of explaining the formation of the columns, so I won’t even go there.
The Best Mammoth Lakes Hot Springs
The Eastern Sierra is chockfull of bubbling hot springs waiting to be soaked in. I mean, really, you can’t beat the soothing hot temperatures and mountain views and the price (free).
Mammoth Lakes: Crowley Lake Columns
The Crowley Lake Columns are a little Eastern Sierra secret. If you’re a good internet creeper, you’ll be able to find directions to them with enough digging.
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest: Discovery Trail
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is one of California’s many gems. Here in the xeric alpine environment, some of the oldest non-clonal living organisms thrive. The Visitor Center is located next to Schulman Grove, home to the Methuselah tree, the oldest tree alive until the discovery of one slightly older in the area.