The most famous place to visit in California’s Sierra Nevada is undoubtedly Yosemite, but did you know there’s equally beautiful places to visit just on the other side of the range? Just over the mountain pass, you’ll find a world of steep peaks, ghost towns and jaw-dropping lakes to explore. Mammoth Lakes BasinMammoth Lakes is at the heart of the Eastern Sierras, and is known as “The Gateway to California’s Natural Wonders.” It’s located at the edge of one of the earth’s largest volcanic calderas, second only to Yellowstone in North America, and features some incredible landscapes, from towering mountains to cerulean lakes to a gaping fissure in the earth. Easily accessible from Yosemite during the warmer summer months, here you can ski, snowboard or hike, depending on the time of year. It’s surrounded by Inyo National Forest, featuring over two million acres of preserved land and plenty of hiking trails to choose from. You can access most hikes in the Mammoth Lake Basin and many in the surrounding area by car, taxi or shuttle services. My favorite hike in the Mammoth Lake Basin was around Twin Lakes, where we hiked up the mountain between Twin Lakes, Lake Mary and Lake Mamie. Just outside the Basin is Convict Lake, which is definitely worth a visit, too, both for the views and the stories surrounding this beautiful place. Bodie State Historic ParkBodie State Historic Park is California’s most famous ghost town, containing the remnants of what was once “known as the most lawless, wild, and tough mining camp in the West.” The buildings are preserved as they were left, meaning they vary widely in state: from the well-preserved to buildings which look like they were attacked by a very angry ghost with some TNT. The town is desolate but beautiful in its own way, particularly set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevadas. Mono LakeMono Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in California, made famous worldwide for its ethereal tufa towers. A mere 13 miles East of Yosemite and 30 miles from Mammoth Lake Basin, this lake is easily accessible and makes for a wonderful day trip. Mono Lake is an ancient inland sea, and one of the oldest lakes in the Western Hemisphere. Its strange tufa towers are actually mineral deposits, made when freshwater springs meet the alkaline lake water, only emerging above the water level over time as the lake shrank. I took the self-guided nature trail at South Tufa and the boardwalk trail, both of which I recommend. I didn’t get the chance to swim when I went, but I’ve heard it’s a memorable experience--the lake is more than twice as salty as the ocean, which means it’s much denser, allowing you to easily float! The Mono Lake Committee also offers kayak, birding, and sunset South Tufa tours. Crowley Lake ColumnsCrowley Lake is a manmade lake 13 miles south of Mammoth Lakes, featuring trout fishing, opportunities to go out on the lake, and a full-service marina, but I suggest visiting for the Crowley Lake Columns. You can read a full post on them here, but here’s the lowdown: these pale, natural columns stretching for a mile along the edge of Crowley Lake are the results of a volcanic explosion, and are one of the strangest places I’ve ever visited. Swallows make their home in the rock itself and will come swooping out at random, while you wander between columns that stretch as much as fifteen feet high and four feet back into the rock. It’s difficult to reach, but if you’re at all interested in geology or just weird-looking places, I highly recommend the trip! Hot Creek Geological SiteHot Creek is basically a mini Yellowstone, featuring dozens of natural hot springs bubbling up from a river gorge. The turquoise waters are shrouded in steam, and meld into the creek which makes its way to the east, towards the Sierra mountains towering in the background. Follow a paved trail from the parking lot to the creek, where the trail turns to dirt. While it’s illegal to swim here, you can still admire the view as you hike through the gorge down the stream. Devils Postpile National MonumentDevils Postpile National Monument is the one place I didn’t get to see on this trip--the roads were still snowed in, and I had no desire to hike for miles and miles in snowshoes! That being said, it makes this list because I have it on very good authority that it’s one of the best places to visit in this area. Devils Postpile is a beautiful example of what’s called columnar basalt (think of the rocks at Latourell Falls in Oregon or Svartifoss in Iceland), and is definitely one of the coolest-looking places in the Eastern Sierras. While you’re in the area, you should also visit Rainbow Falls, the 101-foot high waterfall protected in the Monument, famous for casting rainbows in the sunlight (noon is the best time to go, when the sun is brightest). To cut down on overcrowding, you’ll need to take the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile Shuttle from Mammoth Lakes to get into and around the park ($8.00 for adults, $4.00 for children aged 3-15). Yosemite is beautiful, but it’s not all there is to see here. Take a jaunt over to the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, and see what else is in store. Hiking, swimming, skiing and ghost stories abound in this land, and I urge you to come see what’s so special about this place for yourself. Have you visited the Eastern Sierras? Was there anyplace I left out that you think should have been included? Sound off in the comments below! Like this post? Why not share it?If you enjoyed this article, please leave me a comment telling me what you think! 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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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