Written by: Sarah Hinds Friedl, life-long Mammoth local
Maybe you’ve seen that online trend that says, “Oh, I wasn’t sad, I just needed…” and it’s a picture of a margarita on the beach or a ray of sunshine or a delicious chocolate chip cookie. And it’s actually a sentiment that we see all the time in people who visit Mammoth Lakes. You know, the people who realize that they weren’t having a life crisis, they just needed a trip to the mountains.
In this article, we've got the guide to how you can plan your trip to Mammoth Lakes based on what you might need. If you’ve been feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or just kind of icky lately, we've got just the activity that will do the trick!
You need some peace and quiet
There's no better place in the world for peace and quiet than a walk in the woods (at least in our humble opinion.) But, if you search for the best hiking trails in Mammoth Lakes, chances are you’re going to be sharing your peace and quiet with quite a few people. Here are some lesser-known hikes around Mammoth Lakes that will help you get away from it all:
Heart Lake
This is a short and sweet moderately hard hike out of Coldwater Campground in the Lakes Basin.
Tamarack Lake Trail
If you’re looking for something more challenging, the Tamarack Lake Trail out of Rock Creek is a 9+ mile hike with stunning views and fewer hikers. If you’re lucky, you might see Sierra bighorn sheep on this trail!
You need to commune with the universe
Maybe you feel like the stars have not been aligning for you recently, or that the universe is conspiring against you. If that’s the case, we’ve got a few antidotes to try:
Go stargazing at the natural hot springs
Who needs a professional astrology reading when you can go right to the source? The natural hot springs are a great place for stargazing, and we can’t think of a more relaxing way to rekindle your connection with the divine than taking a look at the galaxy from the comfort of a natural jacuzzi.
Visit some of our out-of-this-world landmarks
If you’re looking to get some perspective on the universe, what better way than to visit some sites that seem other-wordly. Take, for instance, the tufa formations at Mono Lake, which are naturally-forming mineral structures that will make you feel like you’re on another planet. Or, you might hike out to Devil’s Postpile, where you’ll see perfectly formed-hexagonal rock structures that will definitely stir up some existential feelings.
These ancient, awe-inspiring sites may not hold the answers to the mysteries of the universe, but they might inspire you to look at the world a little bit differently!
You need to connect with your inner strength
If you’re in a trying moment of your life, you might just need to remember how strong you really are. And a few ways to do that in Mammoth Lakes include:
Paddleboarding
It requires balance, ease, and a little bit of arm and core work. Paddle boarding is a low-impact, relaxing way to build muscle and connect with your inner strength. You can rent paddle boards in town at your favorite sport equipment store, like Footloose or Wave Rave, or lakeside at Lake Mary Marina or June Lake Marina.
Rockclimbing
If you’re looking for an activity that will challenge your mental and physical strength, rock climbing is the way to go. There are plenty of areas around Mammoth Lakes to try rockclimbing, but we would recommend that you book a lesson with a professional company, like Ground Up Climbing Guides.
You need to let loose
Whether you’ve been stressed at work, or feel like life has become monotonous, sometimes you just need the space to let loose and enjoy the present moment. Here are a few ways to tap into your wild side here in Mammoth Lakes:
Music events
Going to see live music is something we enjoy throughout the year here in Mammoth. And, the event calendar is always full of local bands and visiting musicians performing at our local bars, like Mammoth Brewing Company or Distant Brewing or Liberty Bar. If you plan your trip right, you could also be in town for one of our many music festivals, like Bluesapalooza, Mammoth JazzFest, or Mammoth Rocks.
Local’s nights
Letting loose is a lot easier when you’ve got a good group of friends to hang with. And here in Mammoth, we’ve got plenty of opportunities to build community with locals and visitors. From the weekly pool tournament at Distant Brewing to Tuesday Night Trivia at Mammoth Brewing to karaoke at Lakanuki, there are many ways to make the kinds of friends you need to loosen up a little.
You need to kick your screentime addiction
If you find yourself glued to your phone more than you’d like, Mammoth Lakes is a great place to kick the habit. Here are some activities to help you put the dang phone down:
Birding
The Eastern Sierra is a haven for migratory birds as well as a variety of species that hang around all year long. To boost your chances of seeing enough birds to keep you fully off your phone, we would recommend going to the Meadow Trail, Inyo Craters, or Mono Lake.
Cycling
Whether you opt for road cycling or mountain biking, this is an activity that is sure to keep you in the moment and off your phone. Not only will the physical challenge keep you engaged, but you’ll also be treated to an immersive sensory experience.
Plein air art
Maybe you’ve been wanting to pick up painting or are learning how to draw. Luckily, Mammoth Lakes is a great place to make art without having to look online for reference photos or tutorials. Simply pack up your supplies (and some sunscreen) and head out. No matter where you go, you’ll have mountains, trees, wildflowers, lakes and more to inspire you.
So, what do you need?
Clearly, Mammoth Lakes is a place where you can find what you’ve been looking for. But, even if you don’t have a specific “need” on your mind, we can bet that a trip to Mammoth can make things a little bit better, anyway.
When you’re ready to come up to the mountains and you need a place to stay, Mammoth Mountain Reservations has you covered. Here’s a condo that would be great for your next adventure:
Mountainback at Mammoth, Unit 40
2 BR - 1 Loft | 3 BA | 10 Guests
