Just returned from a mini vacation at Tamarack Lodge on Twin Lakes two or three miles from Mammoth Lakes, the southern Sierra ski destination for south California. The clean air, the 8000’ altitude, abundant wine, excellent food, and good company were a wonderful getaway.
Sunrise
Hidden at the back of the first image was this waterfall..
Inquisitive neighbors
Morning mist.
Devil’s Postpile is a forty-five minute drive from Mammoth Lakes. From Wikipedia, “Devils Postpile National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located near Mammoth Mountain in Eastern California. The monument protects Devils Postpile, an unusual rock formation of columnar basalt, “all closely and perfectly fitted together like a vast mosaic.”[3] The monument encompasses 798 acres (323 ha) and includes two main attractions: the Devils Postpile formation and Rainbow Falls, a waterfall on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. In addition, the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail merge into one trail as they pass through the monument.[4] Excluding a small developed area containing the monument headquarters, visitor center and a campground, the National Monument lies within the borders of the Ansel Adams Wilderness.[5]
Devil’s Postpile
Devil’s Postpile from the other side of the San Joaquin river. Roughly six miles of round=trip hiking from the ranger station. Sandwiched in between the hikes is 101’ Rainbow Falls, still roaring in the midst of the drought,
Watching and waiting while we ate lunch.
Our friends Tom and Andrea joined us for the four days.
On our last day we took the gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain at 11,000 feet, then hiked halfway back to the lodge at the bottom. A ski paradise in the winter, a bike park in the summer.
At 5 am Jadyne and I stood in our pajamas on the deck of our cabin, admiring the night sky, only to discover on the 45 degree morning that we had locked ourselves out. Fortunately, Tom kept his phone on; mine was in my pocket.
Mammoth Lakes is thirty miles south of Lee Vining on #395, the north-south artery on the eastern side of the Sierra. Tioga Pass road cuts across the mountains, is closed in the winter. Leaving Lee Vining and climbing west in the early morning affords magnificent views.