Summer in a Ski Town
There is something about a ski town in the summer that has always appealed to me. As the snow melts, wildflowers start to bloom, wildlife appears, and the realization that the warm season is brief makes me want to savor every moment. While some ski towns stay lively during the summer, I have found that these two California mountain towns, despite their proximity to Los Angeles, provide an ideal retreat for disconnecting and enjoying nature.
Let me start by saying that I'm not one for "roughing it," which is sometimes necessary when going off the grid. Still, my want to escape into nature is often so profound that I'm willing to go to great lengths to find the peace and tranquility that is increasingly challenging to find. Ski towns like Aspen, Telluride and Whistler are stunning, but don't always provide the serenity I long for.
This year, I had the opportunity to escape the heat and head into the Sierra Nevada mountains and the towns of Mammoth Lakes and June Lake. There are no major or even regional airports in Mammoth Lakes and the town is more than five hours from LA and three hours from Reno. With little in between except possibly one of the most stunning drives in the United States (on US 395 between Reno and Mammoth), I wouldn't describe this area as easily accessible, which might be why it feels like a true getaway.
Summer weekends through July and early August see an increase in visitors, but the expanse of this place and the available wilderness to explore make the increased number of people hard to notice - except at the town's single grocery store, which is always bustling!
As I walk around the town of Mammoth Lakes I hear the sounds of hammers, cement trucks and construction personnel working to complete as much work as they can before the next snow. At just under 8000 feet elevation, the summer is short and the winter snow is deep. Mammoth is expanding and will likely undergo the transformation that places like Whistler have experienced over the past 30 years. But, currently it feels like a perfect time in Mammoth and June Lakes. Development is not as extensive as in places like Park City, Utah and there is still a feeling of being remote. There are very few places to shop and getting what may have previously been deemed "essential" can even be a challenge. It really. makes you rethink what is "needed."
Mammoth Lake's Favorites:
Built in 1924, Tamarack Lodge retains a charm that few places today can match. While the area around the inn is bustling during busier days in the summer, many of the thoughtfully restored cabins provide views of the Twin Lakes. The historic restaurant is my favorite in town and live music is often performed in the lobby which is an absolute treat for visitors.
Possibly the most hiked trail in Mammoth Lakes, the Crystal Lake hike offers an excellent workout for those acclimating to the high altitude. Weekends in the summer don't always provide serenity on this trail, but nearby hikes to TJ Lake and Barrett Lakes are a bit less travelled and equally beautiful.
Favorite restaurants:
The Mogul, and the Restaurant at Convict Lake,
June Lake Favorites:
The waters of June Lake are every bit as blue as waters I've seen from the beaches of Tahiti! Perhaps that's why on weekends, the sandy beach on June Lake could be mistaken for an island beach. The small town of June lake offers several shops to explore and quite possibly the most popular place in town is the Local Scoop ice cream shop.
Down the road a few miles you'll find the Silver Lake Resort and Cafe. Cabins provide a rustic charm and an adorable little cafe and general store are well worth a visit. Another favorite lunch spot between June ald Silver Lake, Eagle's Landing offers a solid menu and friendly service.
