Mammoth Lakes California Fly Fishing, Hiking and Camping
Mammoth Lakes California offers a great experience for everyone looking for an outdoor adventure. A plethora of trail destinations for the hiker, mountain biker or fly fishermen. If photography is your bag, a lifetime of opportunities in an every changing season and landscape of every switchback or bend in the trail.
Whether you are speaking about scale, beauty, the Great Outdoors, dining, shopping, or simple relaxation, Mammoth Lakes is where you will find it all. To many who have visited, they describe it as one of those amazing, rare places on the map that you have to “see to believe.” Think about it…crystal clear mountain lakes, bright green valleys, some of the greatest fly fishing spots imaginable, and hiking and mountain biking trails that sit right outside your door: Your jaw drops at the wonder of it all. And in autumn the most beautiful colors are about to decorate this area and make it even more unforgettable. In winter powder days that will blow your mind, or snowshoeing panoramas to take your breath away.
Mammoth Lakes Trails Lead to a World of Adventure
Hiking around Mammoth Lakes California has something for everyone. You can begin a section hike for the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail both favorites of mine. Below are a few trails I have kicked up dust on over the last 56 years.
Mammoth Crest Trail
Mammoth Crest Trailhead is on the north side of Lake George Parking lot. Trail can be challenging if you are not in shape a 13 mile loop that starts out with a climb and switchbacks. Trail follows a ridge line for several mile and descends to Deer Lakes and back up to the ridge then back down to Lake George. Deer Lakes is three lakes a lower, middle and upper combination of Alpine Lakes. Depending on Physical condition and type of hiking or backcountry experience you are looking for is the season or seasons in which you go. Spring snows can last into June and be a rather wet snow. January snowshoeing and winter camping will take your breath away, with jaw dropping panoramas. Summer and Fall have always been my favorite, especially fall with less other folks in the backcountry, incredible colors and phenomenal fly fishing. Mammoth Crest Trail offers something for everyone.
Fly Fishing Lake George
Lake George has multiple species within in its ecosystem. Of all the lake in the Mammoth region it is the easiest to walk the shore line casting a fly rod. Basically it has something for everyone smallmouth and large mouth bass, rock bass, pike in the large warm water species class. Fly fishing for these species I prefer baitfish patterns like simitar minnows, muddlers, flashy Lefty Deceivers, or if you like top water action with various popper patterns work great. In the panfish realm of things species like yellow perch, black crappie and pumpkinseeds. This group of fish are a lot of fun to catch on top water small poppers, but will readily take small nymphs like pheasant tails, baetis patterns, and small baitfish patterns.
Moving on to trout. Lake George has Lake Trout, Rainbows, Browns, and Alpers! All the traditional still water patterns like chironomids, damsels, dragonfly nymphs. I would like to address Alpers, in my opinion this species is legalized bucket biology by the California Fish and Game, based on the latest data for fish farming. I have been in the fly fishing industry or outdoor industry for over 40 years and every time any fish and game try pulling off what is done here it ends in disaster.
To genetically modify a species to be raised in a fish farm and released in the natural environment it ends very badly for everyone and nature down the road. Look how Whirling disease spread through out the Rocky Mountain States. And what farmed Salmon on both coast and across the pond has done. Not Good!
Convict Lake Loop Trail
Convict Lake Loop Trail is a stunningly beautiful two and half mile trail in the Mammoth regions recreation area. Begin your hike or fly fishing expedition at Convict Lake Lodge. Trail is very easy, a great trail to start the kids on or get a friend interested in hiking and fly fishing. Trail as start around the loop the trail is sage brush lined, hugging the shore line of Convict Lake as you transition into stands of pine and aspen groves. Convict Lake Loop Trail can be hiked or fished from either direction. As you hike or fly fish there are beautiful view of the Granite Scrapes of Mount Morrison and Laurel Mountain in the distance.
Camping on the lake is a great star lite experience make reservations, this place is busy in the summer. Convict Lake Loop Trail is open year round for your enjoyment.
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Convict Lake Fly Fishing
Trout fishing is the main fly fishing event on Convict Lake. From the campground the trail is known as Fisherman’s Trail. At the far end of the lake is an Aspen Grove with a wooden board walk bridge over Convict Creek.
Convict Lake in around a hundred and forty feet deep among some of the deepest in the Sierra Nevada Range. I have found good fishing at the inlet and along the shelfs following the shore line. A black flash wooly bugger, callibaetis dries and nymphs as well as chironomids. Fishing season is from April first to November fifteenth. California Department of Fish and Game stock this lake once a week all summer. Convict Creek is a very good fishery as well and worth the time.
Crystal Lake Trail
Crystal Lake Trail has an elevation gain of a thousand feet up to the lake and it’s a moderate out and back 3.2 mile hike. Its a great overnight or weekend backpacking trip. There are some nice camping sites and the fly fishing is pretty good June through November.
Crystal Lake is great place to camp and if you like star watching or Astro photography this a great place. In the day light you can see Mammoth Basin offers up incredible views.
Fly Fishing Crystal Lake with a few action pack rainbow trout adds to the beauty of the hike or backpacking trip.
Sherwin Lakes Trail
Sherwin Lakes Trail in the first two miles you gain just over a thousand feet in elevation, trail is a 4.4 mile out and back hike. Hike to Sherwin Lakes is on the easy side of moderate with just over 880 feet of elevation gain. Sherwin Lakes sit on a plateau after climbing up through groves of Jeffery Pines.
Sherwin Lakes, California
Devils Postpile – Rainbow Falls Trail
Into a good out and back hike, this is it. Devils Postpile – Rainbow Falls Trail is 12.8 miles out and back. Horseshoe Lake is where the trailhead is located. You may also take a Lake Basin Trolley from town it’s a free shuttle service, get off at the end of the line. Devils Postpile National Monument closes at the end of October and re-opens in June.
After Rainbow Falls trail climbs to Mammoth Pass with several steep switchbacks.
Town of Mammoth Lakes California
Town of Mammoth Lakes has everything one can wish for in the areas of shopping, dining, inns, and more; not to mention, the day trips you can choose from where you head to Mono Lake with its limestone towers, or make a day of it by visiting the grand Yosemite National Park and taking a cavalcade of pictures to include the granite cliffs and ancient sequoias some of you have only read about.
Alaska Fishing Trips or Fly Fish Montana
Looking for a more remote experience than Alaska or Montana are for you.
