5 Reasons Not to Miss Spring in Mammoth Lakes

With warm days, cold nights, plenty of snow on the mountain and wildflowers in the meadows, it’s hard not to find a reason to visit the Eastern Sierra in the spring. Here are five of our favorite reasons why you should plan a trip to visit Mammoth Lakes in the spring.

The Amazing Spring Weather

The sun is usually shining and the weather is almost always sweet in Mammoth Lakes during the spring months. Sunshine-y bluebird days are abundant and the temperatures are moderate. Cold nights and warm daytime temperatures create an ideal scenario for the best of all seasons. When spring storms do cross the Eastern Sierra, they are usually followed by more days of sunshine.

Enjoy Both Summer & Winter Sports

Spring is the ideal time of year for outdoor adventurers. There’s still plenty of snow on Mammoth Mountain for spring skiing and riding. The Mammoth Bike Park often opens while the ski lifts are still spinning. Even if there is too much snow on the mountain to bike or hike, there are lower elevation trails in town or at Lower Rock Creek. The ice and snow have melted on most roads. Wildflowers start to bloom and walking paths are clear. There’s so much fun to be had in the spring that the question is not what to do, but how you can fit it all into one trip!

The Kick-off of Fishing Season

Even though a few fisheries are open to year-round catch-and-release fishing, there is something about the official fishing season opening that makes it feel like spring is actually here. Each year on the last Saturday in April, the region is fully opened to fishing. Lakes like Crowley, Convict and June open their marinas and kick off the season. You can cast a line in previously closed creeks and troll for big trout in the deeper waters of the area lakes.

Outdoor Dining in Mammoth Lakes

Warmer temperatures mean a host of outdoor dining options in Mammoth Lakes. Stellar Brew is always one of the first eateries to put out tables and chairs on its sunny south-facing deck. Have breakfast on the east-facing patio at the Good Life and a happy hour margarita outside at Gomez’s. As soon as the snow melts, try the outside seating at Mammoth Brewing Company and toast to the late sunset (thank you, Daylight Savings Time). There are also several Eastern Sierra establishments on the way to Mammoth Lakes that are closed during the winter and open their doors in the spring. Keep an eye out for the season opener of the Whoa Nellie Deli at the Mobil Station and Mono Cone in Lee Vining (usually early April).

Spring Events in Mammoth Lakes

While this years’ event roster spring event roster isn’t packed with big gatherings, you can expect to see some covid-safe events return to Mammoth Lakes this spring.  Keep an eye out on the events calendar for information about signing up for races, fishing derbies and other outdoor events that allow participants to spread out or join in across multiple weeks. Some local organizations will also be hosting. virtual events, including a spring skiing webinar hosted by the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and more.