Day Itinerary
7 Activities
Day 2
101 mi
Enjoy Mono County's Landscape From Above and Below
Today's activities will explore local history and landscapes that range from spectacular to head scratching. Catch the gondola up Mammoth Mountain with for amazing valley views, hike to the improbably shaped Devil's Postpile and around Convict Lake, then get steamy at the railroad museum. Plenty of places to stop for good bites throughout the day.
Photo: Courtesy of Mammoth Resort
Photo: Courtesy of Mammoth Resort
2.8 mi
10 min
Epic Cafe
Open Details
Drive into June Lake and grab some lunch for a hike, including delicious grilled Panini sandwiches, soups, fresh salads, and homemade desserts from the unassuming Epic Cafe. Visitors who want to treat themselves should consider the Salted Caramel Brownie. All food is served to-go, so take your sandwich or salad into the great outdoors.
21.2 mi
30 min
Mammoth Mountain
Open Details
Ride the state-of-the-art Gondola for spectacular views in winter or summer, weather permitting. The gondola carries eight passengers and stops midway up the mountain and at the summit, with 360-degree views.
In summer, you can use it to access the hiking and biking trails on the mountain.
Note that the resort closes for a few weeks after Labor Day for maintenance and conversion for winter use.
In summer, you can use it to access the hiking and biking trails on the mountain.
Note that the resort closes for a few weeks after Labor Day for maintenance and conversion for winter use.
8.1 mi
25 min
Devils Postpile National Monument
Open Details
Devils Postpile National Monument is home to one of nature’s most curious geological spectacles. Formed when molten lava cracked as it cooled, the 60-foot-high, blue-gray basalt columns look like an enormous, eerie pipe organ. Don't get there too early; the sun doesn't hit most of the columns 'til mid-morning. For most of the season, private cars are not allowed to drive up to this site. Instead, a mandatory shuttle runs out of Mammoth Mountain Resort from Memorial Day to Labor Day, after which visitors can drive themselves until mid-October, depending on conditions. Hiking to the postpile and nearby Rainbow falls takes 2 to 3 hours from the parking lot.
22.7 mi
50 min
Convict Lake Loop
Open Details
Walk off the sandwich lunch with an easy hike. This 2.5-mile trek hugs the shore of a glass-clear glacial lake. The surrounding forest and sheer granite slopes, including 12,241-foot Mt. Morrison, provide powerful Sierra scenery. The trail is accessible from the Marina at Convict Lake Resort and a day-use parking lot beyond the marina. It's not a long or difficult trail, but take water anyway.
The Marina offers small-boat rentals.
The Marina offers small-boat rentals.
40 mi
50 min
Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site
Open Details
The village-like museum north of Bishop, California, is a collection of 19th-century buildings, machinery, artifacts, and railcars and engines, all built around the original 1883 train depot, a stop on the Carson and Colorado narrow-gauge railroad line. Each building offers a glimpse into early life in the Eastern Sierra, including a general store, a ranch house, and a replica mining mill. The site is operated by the Bishop Museum and Historical Society.
5.5 mi
10 min
Owens Valley Distilling Co.
Open Details
A hip, welcoming distillery with plenty of outdoor seating and great small-batch spirits for excellent cocktails. The menu is limited: bar snacks, an Italian Beef sandwich, and a Chicago-style hot dog with all the fixings. Often, local food trucks or other vendors will set up nearby for more options.
1 mi
5 min
Creekside Inn
Open Details
Creekside Inn is a welcoming traditional stone lodge next to Bishop Creek, with views of the toothy Sierra range on one side and the White Mountains on the other, including White Mountain Peak, the third-tallest peak in California. The amenities are upscale and contemporary, although the vibe is warm, with plenty of wood surfaces and cushy leather chairs. Guests appreciate the seasonal pool, spa tub, complimentary breakfast, and Wi-Fi.