Contents and photos copyright 2003-2009 K Franson, J Franson, Westernpaddling.com, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.
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Mammoth Lakes
Located just off US HWY 395, about 30 minutes north of Bishop, CA. Mammoth is best known outside the Eastern Sierra as the site of one of the largest, and best, ski slopes in the US. While that is true, this is a year round resort area. Spring thaw brings the local lakes to life in a beautiful setting. The lakes are clustered tightly together, so you can "lake-hop" with your boat, and enjoy several lakes during a day's paddle.
Above - Lake George, looking south towards Crystal Crag.
Click on links to left of this page to access photos and information about:
- Lake Mary - Great mountain vistas to the south and west.
- Twin Lakes (the Mammoth version - there are a lot of lakes bearing the "Twin Lakes" name just in California alone).
- Horseshoe Lake. This time, nature is naturally "ruining" a lake. Fascinating to look at, rather than paddle, it is the earth alive, or geology 101. Volcanic activity, right by your feet :)
- Lake Mamie - Small but charming and a great view of the mountains above you.
- Lake George - Highest elevation of these lakes that have easy car access.
Map of the Mammoth area showing some of the lakes featured on our pages. Note that at the top of the map, Twin Lakes shows as 2 lake areas, with a creek connecting the lake right below it. This is actually wrong, as Twin Lakes is in a sense 3 lakes connected together by fairly wide channels, NOT creeks.
