Blogs from Mammoth Lakes, California, United States, North America

Devil’s Postpile is the first National Monument or Park I have visited which required visitors to park outside and take a shuttle bus in. Apparently they’ve done this here since 1980 but this is the first time I had ever experienced it at any National Park. The requirement applies to day visitors only, not overnighters, nor of course handicapped visitors. There are a few other reasonable exceptions. The shuttles run every half hour and the trip from Mammoth Mountain Ski Area parking lot takes about 20 minutes. Tickets are $7 and they cover entry into the park as well as shuttle in and shuttle out. The shuttle requirement lasts from June to September. Check the park website for more detailed information. It was absolutely no imposition. Yes, it added a few logistics details to my day, ... read more

Wow, what an astounding couple of days! I felt Jodys' summary of our time in Las Vegas was a little depressing so, I might need to add a little to it . It truly is a sinful place but, it was beautiful. After all if sin presented itself as ugly who would want to participate in it ? That being said, it was unbelievable, the hotels and casinos were so ornately built and furnished, it was like being in a movie. The shops there were for the rich! We are talking Prada, Gucci, Dior, Harry Winston, etc. times a hundred!! Needless to say I did not buy anything there. The lights were amazing and you can't even imagine them......put all the Christmases together you have ever had and that would probably be one building. I think ... read more

Another great season in Mammoth. It turned out to be the 3rd snowiest winter on Record! Over 500inches and it's still coming. We got 8 inches last tuesday! Spring skiing has been lots of powder. My girlfriend Lauren and I are no-longer. She went to Turks and Caicos to teach fitness at a Club Med...and she dosen't want to come back. Hope everyone had a great winter. It's that time of the year again, time to pull the sandals out and put on some shorts. Phil ... read more

When: Labor day weekend :: 5th Sep - 7th Sep Where: The lakes at Mammoth :: Devils postpile in the Eastern Sierras :: Ancient bristle cone forest in the White mountains Dreaming of visiting the place we'd always wanted to visit, we set out early saturday morning. The place is a good 7 hr drive from where we call home. Our so-far-trust-worthy cell phone alarm failed & we woke up 1 hr late to leave 1.5 hrs later. So much for a good & early start Nevertheless, we were not to be disheartened. Half way along, I remember reading a sign, "hwy 120 closed into Yosemite National Park". I remember asking Ganesh if he read the sign. He was like ..... As we got closer to the park, there were more signs informing closure of Tioga ... read more