Visit Mono County: Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola Ride

Over 2 miles high, the summit of Mammoth Mountain is a spectacular spot to take in the beauty of surrounding Sierra Nevada. Most of Mammoth Mountain and Mammoth Lakes are in Mono County with portions in Madera County, to the north and west is the Ansel Adams Wilderness, bordered by John Muir Wilderness to the south. The views on the way up take your breath away, both figuratively and literally. My son claims he isn’t afraid of heights, but of falling, he kept his eyes closed most of the way.

Once you reach the summit there are tons of things to do. During the summer you can ride the gondola up to the top with your mountain bike, hiking stick, or just your tennis shoes and explore! Recently a friend of mine’s son (who is on the high school cross country/track team) ran up the 11,000+ foot mountain. That is a huge feat!With the strong winds at the top, the kids and I opted to walk around the interpretive center while my husband explored on foot. An avid mountain biker, he was so jealous of all the bikers around making their way down jumps and trails back down the mountain. I promised him, next time! You can visit Top of the Sierra Cafe or pack a picnic lunch for a meal with a view!

The information in the observatory fills you in about the natural history of Mammoth and the Eastern Sierra. Displays and topics covered include:

Volcanic history
Geology
Weather patterns
Cultural heritage
Views of the Eastern Sierra landscape – the Minarets, Mono Lake, and 400 miles of peaks averaging 12,000 feet in elevation.

If you’re ready to see the sights from this amazing location, you must ride the gondola. Admission to the interpretive center is free with that day’s Scenic Gondola Ride ticket, Bike Park ticket or a valid season pass. Regular Mammoth Mountain Scenic Gondola Ride Prices: Adult $24, Teen & Senior $19; Discounted Prices with Reds Meadow Shuttle Ticket: Adult $19, Teen & Senior $14.

Our ride was part of our press trip, all opinions and experience our own.