Camping in Mammoth

[damndave]

Heading up to the Mammoth area to tent camp and fish in late Sept or maybe early Oct. Is the weather up there still ok for camping or is it too cold? Any campgrounds you recommend?

[glockman19]

Yes It's OK. but the weather changes quickly the last week of Sept. and the 1st of Oct. Last week of Sept is usually in the mid to high 60's during days and in the mid 30's at night. The first week in Oct the weather changes to the low 60's and nears freezing 32 degrees.

I'm going to Convict lake this weekend. The weather should be similar.

As always in the Sierra, thunder showers are always a possibility.

Campgrounds to look at are Coldwater, Lake Mary, Twin Lakes, Pine Glen and Old Shady Rest Campgrounds are all in the Mammoth Lakes area.

I have camped at Coldwater, Lake Mary and the Twin Lakes.

[SBsasquatch]

Don't discount Sherwin Creek. I love that little place. There's an old Indian cave hidden along the creek. Hieroglyphs and all. Fishing is ok, but the surrounding area is what does it for me.

[ar15robert]

We go to twin lakes and its nice but i think they shut down after labor day weekend.

We stayed at sherwin creek 2 years ago for a couple of nights its a cool spot too but preferred twin lakes.I did fine fishing the creek too there.

What i did notice that is was definitely a few degrees warmer at sherwin vs the upper areas but in late sept should not be a problem to worry about.Its also a great spot if you take off road toys too.

[damndave]

Thanks for the suggestions. dang......30s at night might be rough lol. I love camping, but might have to look at a cabin.

[glockman19]

Thanks for the suggestions. dang......30s at night might be rough lol. I love camping, but might have to look at a cabin.

With a 3 season tent with footprint and rain cover, R3-R6 sleeping pad, 20 degree sleeping bag and you should be fine.

I have a Kelty 3 man tent, Kelty Cosmic Down 20 degree bag and Thermarest dream air mattress for camping. I shed some weight for backpacking.

Convict lake has it all. Cabins, campsites, great Restrauant, excellent fishing. And is one exit before mammoth from the south, across the street from the airport.

[kriller134]

I like twin lakes better than lake Mary. It's quieter in my opinion. You don't hear the sounds from the road. I've been in September the last two years and it gets cold at night.

[laurelpark]

Have a look at Red's Meadow - that's my favorite spot up there. They have a hot spring (hidden in the meadow, and honestly kind of gross), and they have hot showers that are fed by the hot springs. Sotcher and Starkweather lakes are close by (Sotcher within walking, Starkweather three minute drive). The Upper San Joaquin River is a short hike away, and if you stay away from the campgrounds, you will limit out on trout every day.

It's a drive to get in there - you've got to go past the ski resort, over the summit, and down the road. Red's Meadow is the last camping area on the road. There's also the Red's Meadow Pack station which is a fun place to hang out, grab beers, and have food. You get to see the scraggly PCH hikers stopping there to get their mail and recover from 1000 miles of hiking.

Best time to go is right after Labor Day. The place is empty...

[Monster]

June lake loop and Robinson creek,Twin lakes area are better choices than Mammoth. IMO

[GUNNTZ]

Check out french camp just below mammoth, no showers at camp ground but normal bathrooms. Think the general store has showers available. Tons of fishing and hiking in the area and generally super quiet. There are also cabins up the road and a pie shop that's beyond awesome up the road too. Get bored there, drive 10 minutes to mammoth to have some fun or fish all the other lakes.

[challenger]

Or, drive a few miles the other way from French and spend a day in the Little Lakes Valley. Beautiful scenery with brook, brown and rainbow trout. The hike is easy too. No permit needed for day trips.

[damndave]

Can anyone point me to where the BLM shooting area is around Mammoth?

[glockman19]

Can anyone point me to where the BLM shooting area is around Mammoth?

Mammoth shooting range is tricky to find. Traveling North on 395, get off at Mammoth Lakes Hwy 203. Go right off the freeway and make a left at the first street. travel about 1/2 mile and make a right on the first dirt road you can, Antelope Springs Road. Follow the road about 3/4 mile to the range on your right. The range is 50-75 yards.

Enjoy

[1PHATTDAD]

Browns campground

Upper Owens River. Been there the last week of Sept. For years. Thats the last week there open.Large Camp spots right on the river. Little store,Clean bathrooms and showers, place to clean your fish. Good fishing at camp great fishing 1/2 mile south of camp all the way to Crowley Lake...Lower Elevations not as Cold at night. Lots of Off road trails as well. We will be there.. Look me up if you are in the area.

[golfish]

Can anyone point me to where the BLM shooting area is around Mammoth?

We head east on Benton Crossing road off the 395 (the little church north of lake Crowley) all the way past the owens river, past Lieghton springs turn off. By now you'll be heading east, go in a few miles and take one of the dirt roads that heads north. Some good spot around there.

Have a look at Red's Meadow - that's my favorite spot up there. They have a hot spring (hidden in the meadow, and honestly kind of gross), and they have hot showers that are fed by the hot springs. Sotcher and Starkweather lakes are close by (Sotcher within walking, Starkweather three minute drive). The Upper San Joaquin River is a short hike away, and if you stay away from the campgrounds, you will limit out on trout every day.

It's a drive to get in there - you've got to go past the ski resort, over the summit, and down the road. Red's Meadow is the last camping area on the road. There's also the Red's Meadow Pack station which is a fun place to hang out, grab beers, and have food. You get to see the scraggly PCH hikers stopping there to get their mail and recover from 1000 miles of hiking.

Best time to go is right after Labor Day. The place is empty...

Great camping down there. The last few times we have camped down there its was right around the 4th, they were still skiing on the mountain and the road down had just opened. We like to camp at the Minaret Falls Camp ground right on the river. Its far enough away from town, there are hot showers, a small store at Reds Meadows and Stotcher lake is a fun lake to float tube. There are a lot of nice hiking trails too..

I have a lot of fond memories with my wife and oldest daughter from that area...a lot of those stories have a bear in them