Today is Groundhog Day, which always seems the unofficial point at which most people take a look at Old Man Winter, shake their fists, and say, okay man, enough is enough. It’s clear to me, however, that none of those people have been to Mammoth Mountain, set in the Sierra Nevada, where the fun of winter is very much alive, embraced, and holding sway.
Not too far from Yosemite National Park, the town of Mammoth Lakes sits sleepily next to a hulking playground of mountains which recently received the benefit of several feet of fresh snowfall, raising its base level range to seven to 11 feet of snow. What this means to a layperson like me getting off the plane (one-way flights are just $39 on Horizon Air direct from San Jose!) is that only the tippy-top of street signs make their way above the ground, and what look to be little bushes are really just the tops of submerged saplings that at any other time would tower over me.
The skiers and snowboarders taking advantage of this winter’s great deals were practically drooling with happiness as they lapped it all up, but that wasn’t what I was there for this past weekend. I was looking for a little winter fun that didn’t involve poles and goofy feet, and by riding the scenic gondola, snowmobiling, riding a snowcat, and taking a full-moon snowshoe hike, I got to truly indulge in all the things that make winter worth holding onto, no matter what that groundhog says.
Full-Moon Snowshoe Hike
What lucky serendipity that I happened to be there during the full-moon and was able to take one of these special tours. It was apparently the largest full moon of the year, appearing 14% larger and brighter, and it really was like a headlight in the sky—there was no need for a flashlight, and you could practically read a book out there. Basically, if you know how to walk, you know how to snowshoe. The uphill climb leads to rewarding views of the valley and then leads back down through the trees, where the hush is almost reverential. After you get hot drinks like mulled wine and dessert by the fireplace in the darling Tamarack Lodge, which dates back to 1924, has a roaring fireplace, and the best restaurant in the area.
Scenic Gondola
On clear days, you can take a scenic gondola ride to the very top of the mountain (over 11,000 feet) and it’s quite a ride. You go straight over the half-pipe, so you get a bird’s-eye view of the snowboarders doing their tricks. You glide to a stop half-way up at the McCoy station, where you can get off and look around, and then it’s on up to the very, very top, which is dizzying in a wonderful way, with the far peaks of the Ansel Adams Wilderness and Sierra Nevada mountain majesty all around. Up there, there’s an interpretative center with telescopes trained on each peak with a little snippet of history about area history, geology, and volcanic activity. There’s a café up there, too.
Snowcat
Looking for a great way to get out and see the backcountry without having to exert any energy or effort whatsoever? How about if I throw in a gourmet meal with wine taboot? The excursion I went on was for lunch; they also do a sunset dinner which I’d imagine to be gorgeous. The snowcat is a tractor-like contraption that lumbers on through the wilderness past lodgepole and jeffrey pine up to a clearing with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Inside it’s comfortable and warm. Some brave members of our group withstood the cold and ate at one of the nearly-submerged picnic tables. Apparently, there are bathrooms up there but the snowpack was so deep they were completely buried.
Snowmobiling
Believe it or not, this is really easy to get the hang of it, plus you’ve got a guide to follow who sets a safe speed. And it’s so much fun! On our ride, we took a breathtaking trail through snow-covered trees with enough twists, turns, and straight-aways to keep it interesting. After a few miles on the trail, we arrived at a clearing/meadow where they let us loose to play freestyle, break our own tracks in fresh snow, and test the speed limits. It was such a beautiful and exhilarating way to get out into the forest. The machines are great and fast, plus they even have handwarmers!
How do you plan on celebrating six more weeks of winter?
Comments
Feb 02, 2010
Wow, you had me at the $39 Horizon flight! Looks like an incredible place for nature lovers and skiers alike. Living in the Bay Area, this looks like a great alternative to Tahoe.
Feb 02, 2010
Awesome. Hopefully winter hangs on and there's a lot more snow to be had. Looks like a good time up there in Mammoth.
Feb 02, 2010
I visted yosemite national park last week but forgot to visit mammoth mountain.I'll definitely give it a visit next time.
Feb 02, 2010
Rachel, as a devoted reader of yours I know how much you love Hawaii and other warm, tropical places like the Carribbean. So I congratulate you for embarking on such a totally different adventure to begin with, and admire your game spirit for coming out of it with such charming and unabashed delight and enthusiasm!