The area around Mammoth Lakes offers many wonderful hikes, for hikers of all abilities. Springtime and summer offer the discovery of strikingly colorful wildflowers not seen elsewhere, many beautiful birds, and breathtaking vistas, lakes and waterfalls! In the fall, the aspens turn a golden yellow, and seem to flow down the mountains like a streak of watercolor. You can get detailed maps of trails at the Visitor Center at the entrance to town, and on websites such as mammothweb.com and mammothlakes.com.

Hiking at high altitude from 8,000 to 13,000 feet, common in the western U.S., has special considerations. The Town of Mammoth Lakes sits at an altitude of 7,800 to 8,200 feet, with some lodging up to 8,900 feet, and Mammoth Mountain Summit is 11,053 feet. So with any hike you take in the area, you should be alert to symptoms of altitude sickness, which include headaches, insomnia or fatigue. To acclimate to the altitude, eat lightly, drink plenty of fluids,even if you don't feel thirsty, avoid alcohol, and take it easy the first 24 hours you are here!

Another important thing to keep in mind when hiking the Sierras is that air temperature drops about 3.5 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation gain. A 75 degree day in town will be 60 degrees at 10,000 feet. And Weather can change in a heartbeat, easily dropping more than 30 degrees in 1/2 hour or less. In addition, sunscreen is an absolute necessity in Mammoth, as are sunglasses, because the sun is more powerful at these altitudes.

Follow these suggestions, and you are sure to have a wonderful hiking experience, without unnecessary downtime!