MAMMOTH IN SUMMER: Mono Lake, Mammoth Mountain Gondola, McCleoud Lake | WEEK FORTY
Thanks for joining us on our summer vacation in Mammoth Lakes, CA. If you didn’t get at chance to check it out, here is our video all about MAMMOTH WITH KIDS:
McCleoud Lake 0:43
Mono Lake 2:25
Mono Cone & Upside Down House 5:23
Gondola at Mammoth Mountain 6:20
When we first decided to visit Mammoth Lakes for our Summer vacation, all I could think of was snow. Well, that wasn’t going to work, so I went to the internet for things to do in Mammoth in Summer. From salty seas, to mountaintop experiences, these were the top three highlights of our summer vacation in Mammoth Lakes, CA.
The hike to McCleoud Lake was hailed as an easy hike for families with big payoffs. We took the free Lakes Basin Trolley to Horseshoe Lake, where the trailhead begins. From there, it said it was a half mile to the lake. We basically left everything in the car, except Nehemiah, who planned to jump in and brought his swimsuit. As we made our way up the trail that was a bit steeper than expected, we were wishing we had those water bottles and other supplies we thought we would run back to the car for, if needed. The hike to McCleoud Lake ended up being a 1.8 mile loop with a 351 ft. elevation gain. Which really is pretty family friendly, but bringing the baby carrier and some water is highly encouraged. The views though… Wow. Once you get to the top, McCleoud Lake will take your breath away.
Keeping with the trend of lakes, we had heard neat things about Mono Lake, which is just a short drive outside of Mammoth Lakes. This lake is 2.5 times saltier than the ocean! Not going to be outdone by Nehemiah, this time, we all brought our swimsuits. Swimming in Mono Lake was not something that we had planned on our itinerary, but now it is something we will never forget. The backdrop is so striking with tufa towers emerging from different spots in the lake, contrasting against the blue sky. We were definitely the only ones swimming in the lake, that day, but I would still suggest it! It was a bit slimy and the rocks are sharp on the lake floor, but lean back and you will float like you never have before.
Highlight of the trip, the cherry on top, was taking the gondola up to the top of Mammoth Mountain. The panoramic gondolas give you a 360 degree view all the way up the mountain. When you get to the top, you walk out to an 11053 ft. view. At the summit, you can see the valley open up, the lakes below, and the mountains around. We also checked out the Eleven53 Interpretive Center and ate on top of the world at the Eleven53 Cafe. Over and over, we would suggest this experience for you and your family.
Thanks for stopping by,
That Rogers Family
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DISCLAIMER: It is prohibited to drone at Mono Lake. We always do our due diligence before flying. We checked our AirMap app and called to notify the nearby air tower. The map showed we were cleared for take-off. We were piloting from the parking lot and had not yet approached the park to see the signs clearly indicating the rules. We landed as soon as we were made aware of our error. As the footage had already been taken, we chose to still share it here with you. We apologize for any inconvenience or intrusion we may have caused.
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