Mammoth
 

Suggestions: We are going to Mammoth on the weekend of Aug 22. Will be taking HWY 395. Need ideas on where to stop and do some siteseeing. We are staying in one of the Mammoth Mountain Chalets. Any recommandations or advises would be greatly appreciated.

Are you driving north on 395? If so, it's an easy drive, but there aren't a lot of places to stop and sightsee. Rather, small little towns including Lone Pine and Big Pine. Mojave is the largest town near LA that you will hit first (stop to get gas and that?s about it) and about 250 miles later you will hit Bishop (home of Mule Days and great fishing) about an hour outside of Mammoth. Keep an eye out for Convict Lake not far outside of Mammoth -- good hiking and a great restaurant. Also, Mono Lake is a good day trip from Mammoth. While in Mammoth, the Devils Postpile/Rainbow Falls hike is a must see.

Eats:
--Angel's (American grub, great beer selection)
--Berger's (comfort food, great burgers and stew)
--Whiskey Creek (nicer restaurant)
--The Stove (mmmm... the breakfast place)
--Giovanni's (near Vons, good pizza)

Hike:
--Morgan Pass (outside of town, not that far)

Bishop:
--Schats Bakery (great bread and sandwiches, squaw bread rocks)
--Meadow Farms Country Smokehouse (must stop if you love jerky) (http://www.smokedmeats.com/)

Dive Bar:
--Grumpy's (beach volleyball, air hockey, etc.) (food is marginal)

See if the gondola is open on the mountain. It's a cool ride and view.

Just got back from Mammoth. There are some nice hikes to take from the Reds Meadow/Devil's Postpile area. Unless you get tot eh Minaret entrance station BEFORE 7:00 you are required to take the shuttle bus. We went through the entrance station just after 6:00 am and arrived at teh Rainbow Falls trailhead just before 7:00. Took the well marked trail to Rainbow Falls where we enjoyed our own personal view-no other people. Then wew went on to lower falls. On the trip back we saw the first of the people who had taken the shuttle. They collected the entrance fee from us when we came out later that day.

Another good hike is to Minaret Falls which is out of the Devil's Postpile area.

Visit to the lakes areas like Mary Lake which you can use motorized boats on. You can rent a little motor boat and enjoy the lake. The other lakes like twin lakes and Lake George. You must visit Horseshoe lake just to see how the CO2 has changed the area. It's fascinating.

Great Hike out of Lake George is Barrett Lake and TJ lake they are on the same hike and no more than about .5 mile to see both.

On The road up to the Mammoth Mountain main ski area you will see a turnoff for the earthquake fault. Check that out it's amazing.

Check out Hot Creek which is just south of Mammoth. The road is good even if it's not fully paved.

If you are coming from the north on 395 you will pass the road to Bodie and the visitors center for Mono Lake.

Also a bout 30 minutes from Mammoth is Tioga Pass. You can see some great sites just along Tioga Pass without going to Yosemite Valley. Actually if you wanted to spend a day see sites outside Mammoth do Mono Lake, Bodie and Tenaya Lake which is right on Tioga Pass.

We almost always eat at Giovannis when we go to Mammoth. It's quite popular. They also have to go service if you don't want to wait for a table-call in.

We ate at Perry's this time and the Chicken ala Garlic was fabulous. It's located in the center witht he outlets. We also ate at Alpenrose next door to Grumpys. Had a terrific salmon dinner. Grumpys is fine for a burger or that type of food. Service was outstanding.

Have fun.

If you are going

Don't know how the "If you are going" got in there but it doesn't mean anything.

THANKS. Will keep these suggestions in mind. Can't wait for me trip. Will let you all know how it went. BTW, I am going up north on 395.

Just returned from Mammoth area, actually stayed in Lee Vining about 30 miles north which is right at the Tioga Pass entrance into Yosemite. Wonderful drive over Tioga Pass (almost 10,000 ft)all the way to Hetch Hetchy where we hiked at the reservoir. Northern part of Yosemite Park is awesome, cooler, and not crowded.
Gas was higher on 395 starting at Bishop (by now it is probably off the charts). We did stay at Lone Pine on the way north - comfortable motels, good pizza (make reservation.
The geology along 395 in the high Sierras is worth the drive.

Just came back for my trip. Thank you all for your wonderfull advises. I had a geat time and the weather was great. Kinda cold at night but still great. Thanks again.