Start at the front door: the Town Loop and Mammoth Creek
The condo sits beside the Town Loop, the paved hub of the Mammoth Lakes Trail System. It's 7.8 miles of asphalt, typically about 9 feet wide, made up of multi-use path, on-street sections, promenades and bridges. The western half runs through Old Mammoth and past Eagle Lodge. The eastern half has views of the Sherwins and connects to schools, the library, restaurants and shops. Mammoth Creek Park is a popular place to start either half. The typical grade is around 4 percent, so it works for kids on bikes and for an easy first day while you adjust to the altitude.
Black Tie Ski & Bike Rentals is about 3 minutes away by car, and grand Welcome guests get 20% off at Black Tie Ski & Bike Rentals (ask Grand Welcome how to redeem when you book).
See price & availability Two ensuite bedrooms, minutes from Eagle Lodge.
The Lakes Basin: Twin Lakes, Lake Mary and Horseshoe Lake
Twin Lakes is about a 10–15 minute drive up Lake Mary Road. Past it are Lake Mamie, Lake Mary, Lake George and Horseshoe Lake. The parking lots fill up on summer weekends, so think about taking the free Lakes Basin Trolley, which leaves from Canyon Blvd across from The Village. In peak summer it runs every 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Early and late in the season, weekday service drops to hourly. The season usually lasts from June to mid-September. The trolley's bike rack holds 14 bikes, which makes for a favorite ride: take the trolley up, then ride the paved 5.3-mile Lakes Basin Path about 1,000 vertical feet down from Horseshoe Lake to the North Village. Bikes pick up speed quickly on the way down, so stay in control.
The dead trees at Horseshoe Lake were killed by carbon dioxide seeping out of the ground. The USGS says walking through the area in summer is safe as long as everyone's head stays above ground level. Don't lie on the ground or dig pits, and keep small children and dogs from getting low.
Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls: plan around the shuttle
Devils Postpile National Monument protects basalt columns up to 60 feet tall, and the trail continues on to 101-foot Rainbow Falls. While the Reds Meadow Shuttle is running, most visitors have to ride it. A few groups may drive in instead and pay a vehicle fee: people arriving when the shuttle isn't operating (generally before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.), overnight guests at valley campgrounds or Reds Meadow Resort, and vehicles with a disability placard. Shuttles leave from the Panorama Gondola building at Main Lodge. In 2026 a day ticket cost $15 for adults and $7 for kids, and Mammoth Mountain strongly recommended booking ahead.
Reds Meadow Road is being rebuilt. In 2026 the valley was open Thursday through Sunday for most of the summer and on weekends only from late September through October. Construction also limited early-morning entry on some days. The 2027 schedule hadn't been posted when we wrote this, so check the National Park Service and Inyo National Forest pages before you go.
Mammoth Mountain: Scenic Gondola and Bike Park
The Panorama Gondola loads in the building across from Main Lodge and climbs to the 11,053-foot summit. At the top you'll find the Eleven53 Café, an interpretive center and the summit sign. Up to two kids 12 and under ride free with each paying adult. In 2026 the gondola closed for scheduled maintenance on September 28, so plan your summit ride for summer or early fall.
The Mammoth Bike Park has everything from the beginner Discovery Zone to expert and pro-line trails. Its longest route, starting at the summit, covers almost 15 miles and about 3,000 vertical feet and ends in The Village. During bike park season a shuttle runs every 15 minutes from The Village to the Mammoth Adventure Center. The Village is about 4 minutes from the condo by car.
Three hikes for three energy levels
These three range from an easy hour to a full morning's climb. Start early, carry water, and expect to breathe harder than you would at home.
- Panorama Dome (easy): a 1.8-mile route for hikers only, starting from the Twin Lakes Vista trolley stop and parking area. Walk it counterclockwise to save the best views for last.
- Convict Lake Loop (easy): about 3 miles around the lake, with views of Laurel Mountain. There's no drinking water at the trailhead, so bring your own.
- Duck Pass (strenuous): about 7.7 miles round trip with roughly 1,700 feet of climbing. It starts at the day-use lot behind Coldwater Creek Campground, passes Skelton and Barney lakes, and tops out near 10,745 feet at the pass. Get there early because the lot fills up.
Fishing and golf close to home
Visit Mammoth lists Mono County's trout season as running from the last Saturday in April through November 15. Some streams have special rules, so check the current California fishing regulations before you go. Anyone 16 or older needs a California fishing license. The Lakes Basin lakes are stocked with rainbow, brook and brown trout, and you can rent boats there. Mammoth Creek has close to 10 miles of fishable water, running east from the Old Mammoth meadows to below Highway 395.
Sierra Star Golf Course is about 3 minutes away by car. It's an 18-hole, par-70 course at roughly 8,000 feet, and its 2026 season was scheduled from May 15 to October 11.
Hot springs: which ones you can actually use
Our area map shows Whitmore Hot Springs about 13 minutes away. What you'll actually find there is Whitmore Pool, a public pool run by the Town of Mammoth Lakes on Benton Crossing Road, and it's open in summer only. In 2026 open swim ran from June 13 to September 7 and cost $7 for adults and $5 for youth.
Hot Creek Geologic Site is worth seeing from the trail, but you're not allowed in the water. Its temperature can change quickly and geysers can erupt without warning.
There are also undeveloped springs on BLM land in Long Valley, off Benton Crossing Road. They're free and have no staff, and the BLM has reported hundreds of vehicles on the access road on busy days. Test the water before you get in, expect to share the pools, and pack out all your trash.
Day trips: June Lake Loop, Mono Lake and Tioga Pass
The June Lake Loop (Highway 158) is a roughly 16-mile drive off US 395 that passes June, Gull, Silver and Grant lakes. It starts within 30 minutes of Mammoth, and its north end meets US 395 and Highway 120. South Tufa at Mono Lake is 11 miles from Lee Vining. Entry costs $3 per person for ages 16 and up. The Forest Service lists ranger-led walks at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., but confirm the schedule before you go, especially outside midsummer. There's no shade and no drinking water, so bring a hat and plenty to drink.
Highway 120 crosses 9,945-foot Tioga Pass into Yosemite, and it's only open part of the year. The Park Service says plowing of Tioga Road usually starts around April 15 and takes one to two months, and it can't predict the opening date. Yosemite didn't require timed-entry reservations in 2026, but it hadn't posted plans for 2027 when we wrote this. Check nps.gov/yose before you go.
Fall colors
Aspens in the Lakes Basin usually peak in late September. Lower areas like the June Lake Loop and McGee Creek Canyon, 10 miles south on US 395, can keep their color into mid-October. Convict Lake, about six miles south of town, is another favorite. Fall is quieter, but the Lakes Basin Trolley usually stops running in mid-September, so you'll need to drive. Tioga Road closes for the season once heavy snow arrives, typically from around late October or November, and it can close temporarily for early storms. Check road status before heading that way.
Coffee and breakfast nearby
Looney Bean, about 4 minutes away, has roasted its own coffee and baked its pastries in-house since 1992. The Stove, about 3 minutes away, has been a Mammoth breakfast tradition for decades, with listed hours of 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Cooking at the condo? The kitchen is fully equipped, but you'll need to bring salt, pepper and oil.
Practical mountain tips
A few things worth knowing before your first big day out:
- Altitude: the town center sits near 7,900 feet. The Park Service suggests drinking plenty of fluids, eating lightly and skipping alcohol for the first 24 hours. If you get a headache, sleep badly or feel unusually tired, take it easier.
- Afternoon storms: Sierra thunderstorms are most common in the afternoon from June through September. Start hikes early and try to reach any summit before noon. If you hear thunder, get inside a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle.
- Bears: never leave food or trash in your car, and keep it locked with the windows up. Keep trash latched in bear-resistant bins. Feeding wildlife is illegal in town, with fines starting at $100. If you meet a bear, don't run. Stand still, face it, make yourself look big, and pick up small children.
- Parking: the condo has unassigned parking for up to two vehicles. When trailhead lots are busy, the trolleys are the easier option. Expect some construction around town.
Questions guests ask
Do I need a reservation for the Devils Postpile shuttle?
While the Reds Meadow Shuttle is running, most visitors have to ride it. It leaves from the Panorama Gondola building at Main Lodge. Mammoth Mountain strongly recommends booking ahead because there's little room for walk-ups. An emailed confirmation isn't a ticket, so bring it to a ticket counter to get your ticket. Road reconstruction has cut the number of days the valley is open, so check the 2027 schedule with the National Park Service and Inyo National Forest before your trip.
How close is Serene Sierra Sanctuary to the Mammoth Lakes Basin?
Twin Lakes is about a 10–15 minute drive from the condo. In summer the free Lakes Basin Trolley runs from Canyon Blvd across from The Village to Horseshoe Lake. In peak season it leaves every 30 minutes, and it carries bikes.
Can you soak at Hot Creek near Mammoth Lakes?
No. The Forest Service doesn't allow anyone in the water at Hot Creek Geologic Site because water temperatures can change quickly and geysers can erupt without warning. You can still see it from the trail during day-use hours, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you want a swim, Whitmore Pool on Benton Crossing Road is open in summer.
When do fall colors peak in Mammoth Lakes?
Higher groves like the Lakes Basin usually peak in late September. Lower areas such as the June Lake Loop and McGee Creek Canyon can keep their color into mid-October. The timing shifts with each year's weather.
Do I need a reservation to enter Yosemite over Tioga Pass?
Yosemite didn't use a timed-entry reservation system in 2026. The park hadn't announced its 2027 plans when we wrote this, and when Tioga Road opens depends on snow, so check nps.gov/yose before you go.
What are check-in and checkout times at Serene Sierra Sanctuary?
Check-in is at 4:00 PM and checkout is at 10:00 AM. Most dates have a 3-night minimum, and bookings go through Grand Welcome.