Get a National Park Service Passport
by Hopkid
These are really fun and spark interest in the National Park Service system. The brainchild of a marketing genius, the purchaser can get a stamp from each of the NPS sites he or she visits. The collection of these stamps, similar to postal cancellation postmarks (which include the name of the park and the date visited) become fun to collect. It's a great way to get the kids (of all ages!) excited about going to different parks, monuments, seashores, etc. that are operated by the NPS.
The passport itself is reasonably priced and the stamps are, of course, free. Each NPS facility has a stamp available at the visitor's center. If you don't see it just ask the ranger on duty. Some (e.g., Mt. Rushmore, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse) have special stamps with a depiction of the area/monument. Great fun!
You can obtain an NPS passport at any park Visitor's Center or online at the National Park Service Store.
In Mammoth Lakes, you can get a stamps at Devil's Postpile National Monument. Take the shuttle bus to the Postpile stop (No. 6) and go to the ranger station. There is a small box just outside the door that contains the stamp and ink pad. Further afield you can also get stamps at Yosemite National Park (approximately 30 miles north) and Manzanar National Historic Site south of Independence on U.S. 395.
Ski/board the mountain!!
by bruingirl
Skiing and snowboarding in Mammoth is great! There are some great runs! There are 3 lodges at the bottom of 3 of the mountains and a mid-chalet, up from the main lodge. You can also ski the triple diamond backside of the mountain. It's supposedly pretty cool, although I'm too chicken to do it. If you need to rent some skiing or snowboarding gear, go to Footloose in the middle of town on Main. They have a wide selection of pretty good skis and boards for a very reasonable price.
www.footloosesports.com
Beyond Ruby Lake
by goingsolo
We had to cross what we referred to as the "dreaded rocks". This area, located on the north side of Ruby Lake, stood in the way of our destination, which was Lookout Peak. If you enlarge the picture, you can see us picking our way through. The second photo shows another set of rocks at the base of Ruby Lake. Areas such as these can really slow you down unless you're particularly agile, which I am not, and can make a 4 mile hike take considerably longer than one would expect. Especially when you factor in the altitude at about 11,000 feet at this point.
Climbing down can be slippery and wobbly, as the rocks, appearing sturdy, can topple over after you step on one, sending you sprawling on yet more rocks. My knees are still purple. The worst part of crossing back over this area late in the day was knowing that we'd be doing it again as part of next month's journey- an attempt at Mount Abbot.
The upside of the dreaded rock field is that, once you're through, its a nice and easy walk on a dirt trail free of rocks for two miles to the parking lot at Mosquito Flats.
Ocean Harvest
by mrjade about Ocean Harvest
This place is always voted 'Best seafood restaurant in Mammoth Lakes' - and with good reason! The Ocean Harvest is wonderfully cosy and comfortable restaurant in the centre of town. The service is friendly and relaxed. If you like fish then you are sure to love this plaice (!), and even if you are not that keen, the seafood is so perfectly cooked and presented that you may find yourself won over. You might also be advised to try the Mud-Pie, but beware - one of these is more than enough for four! Any seafood!
Beautiful Falls - Short Hike from Devils Postpile
by sacking
It's an easy 2.5 mile hike from Ranger Station, past Devils Postpile and onto Rainbow Falls. Shuttle bus from Mammoth Mountain Lodge takes you to Ranger Station. Bring a lunch and eat at the Falls, or a little further down at Lower Rainbow Falls. Hike takes you past trees burned in forest fire. See how the forest is regrowing itself.
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Lunch Time
Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak
Crystal Crag
Trail towards crest
