When you think of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., you likely imagine the alpine grandeur of resort skiing and snowboarding. What often goes overlooked, however, is the surrounding landscape of forests, wilderness areas, and pristine alpine lakes.
A wider lens opens up one of the most geologically dynamic landscapes in North America. Volcanic energy, tectonic forces, and glacial activity shaped (and, in some cases, continue to shape) this corner of the Eastern Sierra with features that inspire both awe and exploration.
When Michael Washington and Sam Reese set off to uncover the story behind the geology of Mammoth Lakes, they targeted four standout locations. Washington and Reese didn’t just marvel at these unique formations; the adventurous duo (a founder and a guide, respectively, from event organizer Usal Project) also highlighted some of the best ways to experience them.
Take their lead and build an active itinerary to explore the key locations from the video and beyond. Here’s how to link a variety of five family-friendly summer adventures to Mammoth Lakes’ most memorable geological features.
1. Mono Lake: Paddle the Tufas of Mono Lake
The Feature: Ghostly spires of calcium carbonate tufa formations mark the ancient lake that spans more than 65 square miles. Its high-alkaline, hypersaline waters (too salty for fish) create a veritable all-you-can-eat buffet of brine shrimp that makes Mono a must-stop anchor on one of the continent’s biggest migratory bird paths.
The lake’s tufas and sagebrush shores host over 300 species of annual avian visitors, plus hundreds that use the lake’s broad islands as critical nesting habitat.
The Fun: Since motorboats are prohibited on Mono Lake, a paddling tour is the top way to experience the tufas and the wildlife-rich ecosystem created by its strikingly turquoise waters set in a high-altitude desert climate.
Launch at Navy Beach on the lake’s south shore (31 miles north of Mammoth Lakes). Outfitters like Caldera Kayaks offer rentals and guided natural history tours, and the Mono Lake Committee hosts naturalist paddling tours on summer weekends from late June to early September.
The Frills: On the return from Mono Lake, you can add to the geological tour by exploring the June Lake Loop, marked by obsidian hillsides and volcanic activity. Soak off that saltwater in four crystal-clear alpine lakes — June, Gull, Silver, and Grant — highlighting the 14-mile driving loop, and then stop at the quaint town of June Lake to refuel.
Learn More2. Hot Creek: Fly Fish the Kaleidoscope of Colors
The Feature: Hot Creek is a stunning geological site where groundwater meets the volcanic forces. In the shadows of towering Eastern Sierra peaks, this shallow-walled gorge sits within a hydrothermal system linked to magma deep beneath the Long Valley Caldera, which provides heat to dozens of bubbling hot springs.
A short, well-maintained trail descends to the turquoise, mineral-rich pools rimmed by delicate travertine layers and often shrouded in steam. (Use caution; the water temps can change rapidly.)
The Fun: Though swimming is illegal in this scenic wonderland 8 miles southeast of Mammoth Lakes, the combo of heated groundwater and the creek’s cool freshwater makes a uniquely productive habitat for brown and rainbow trout (some claim it’s the state’s most trout per square foot), where fish thrive off the abundant bug life of warm waters open to catch-and-release fishing with artificial flies and barbless hooks.
The Frills: As you swing back toward Mammoth Lakes Basin, cross U.S. 395 for a quick 10-minute jaunt south to Convict Lake. Enjoy its calm, relaxed (and ridiculously scenic) waters before heading back into town. You’ve earned a beer and some tasty eats at Distant Brewing.
Learn More3. Devils Postpile: Hike to Lava Columns and Hidden Waterfalls
The Feature: Like vertical lumber stacked by giants, Devils Postpile is a grouped formation of 60-foot basalt columns located in the Inyo National Forest. Glaciers overrode the fractured mass of ancient basaltic lava and quarried away one side of this cooled-then-contracted pile 10,000 years ago, exposing and polishing a sheer wall of hexagonally structured columns — one of the premier examples of columnar basalt in the world. (Make sure to check the latest National Park Service alerts for info on seasonal closures and ongoing road construction.)
The Fun: Hike 8 miles of trails at Devils Postpile National Monument, and then venture beyond to the Ansel Adams Wilderness. To view the Postpile, hike the half-mile trail to the base, and then continue uphill to the formation’s summit for incredible views. Or ramble the 2.5-mile route from the ranger station to the 101-foot Rainbow Falls. Summer visitors are required to use an access shuttle from the Mammoth Adventure Center.
The Frills: For adventure-ready food on the go, grab a fried-chicken goodie at Bird and the Biscuit, known for its stop-worthy, made-from-scratch biscuits and sandwiches.
Learn More4. Crowley Lake: Boat Back in Time
The Feature: Although thousands of eerie, 20-foot-tall pillars mark the eastern shore of Crowley Lake, the pumice-stone formations are extremely delicate — the result of snowmelt seeping into erupted volcanic ash, and then venting upward through distinct vertical channels.
While the columns are hardened and mineral-fortified, lake visitors should admire these tunneled formations from a distance to help preserve their fragile beauty for generations to come. Please note that lake levels vary throughout the year; for the optimal experience, visit during lower water levels when more of the columns are exposed.
The Fun: Experience breathtaking views of the Eastern Sierra, especially at dawn and dusk, from the area’s largest lake just minutes south of downtown Mammoth Lakes. Rent motorboat skiffs and other watercraft at the Crowley Lake Marina. Whether it’s surfing a wake or cruising in a kayak, boats have space to roam Crowley’s 45 miles of shoreline and 5,000+ surface acres.
The deep lake is also one of the best stillwater trout fisheries in the country, fed by both oxygen-rich, free-flowing creeks as well as nutrient-packed spring-fed creeks. Catch-and-release regulations kick in Aug. 1, when fly anglers find enviable stillwater nymphing.
The Frills: Store, camping, and marina services are available at the Crowley Lake Fish Camp, as well as boat and kayak rentals with a convenient launch. Reminder: Practice Leave-No-Trace principles if paddling to view the pillars. Avoid on-shore explorations, as they are actively eroding in a sensitive, hazard-prone area.
Learn More5. Mammoth Mountain: Ride This Dormant Volcano System
The Feature: Don’t forget that Mammoth Mountain itself is one of California’s most famous volcanoes, evidenced by its distinctly colored layers of rhyolite and dacite, plus the fumaroles that discharge steam and volcanic gases from its flanks. From the peak’s 11,053-foot, gondola-accessed promontory, this geologically young volcanic system (with ongoing geothermal activity) hovers above the town of Mammoth Lakes with year-round activities ready for all ages.
The Fun: From atop the gondola in summer, take in the full panorama, and then explore the Eleven53 Interpretive Center, or venture beyond into the Mammoth Lakes Basin, either on foot or on a guided horseback ride courtesy of Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit. Want more downhill speed? Ride the Mammoth Bike Park for lift-accessed thrills on 80+ miles of purpose-built singletrack.
The Frills: For instant access to the Village at Mammoth, consider the Westin Mammoth or Limelight Mammoth, with thoughtfully designed rooms and a fitting partnership with Therabody that provides adventure-weary guests with extra recovery equipment beyond the trailside hot tubs.
Learn More12 More Features
Explore Further: Continue your active explorations on the full interactive map to all of Mammoth Lakes’ 17 standout geological features, including formation stories, stewardship, and access tips.
Learn MoreThis post was sponsored by Visit Mammoth.
