Wherever we searched, the suggestion was always to ride the gondola to the peak and either hike or cycle down. One writer even mentioned the gondola up and a 6-minute hike to the peak. You can imagine how excited we were about such an idea. After frustrating results, we decided to go our own way via the Twin Lakes Trailhead. The official distance ranged from 8 to 10.5 miles, while the elevation gain, from 2,500 to 3,000 feet. Well, there you are—take your pick. Everyone agrees the summit is at 11,053 feet. At last, consensus!
Having mentioned the figures, we have never enjoyed an outing as much as this one—we were sorry when it ended but not sorry enough to try it again. Next visit, which won’t be far off (N’H), we’ll do it again. The level of elation is difficult to describe. Suffice to say, we were worried about the feeling that would fill the void once the ‘high’ dissipates.
It was extremely steep to begin, continued along narrow and tight paths with sheer drop-offs at high altitudes, climbed in places that we thought were not possible to surmount, over crags and with a final push, on scree up a sharp incline. Superlatives fail us in describing the experience and the incredible varying beauty. It’s not a trail but a rough path and in places, a scramble. The magnificence of the surrounding mountains, the many lakes far below and the awesome views at each corner, angle and side cause the spirits to soar. One of the advantages in Mammoth is that one has exposure at all times to the landscapes. The writer, at least, is in love with Mammoth—a town that is ‘spoiled rotten’ with great scenery, mountains, hikes, lakes, not to forget the winter skiing opportunities...
On a hike for which we have difficulty finding appropriate superlatives, one would expect a busy trail. There was no other hiker on the trail while we were there, both up and down. Funnily enough, if one walks (runs) up, one is entitled to ride the gondola down without charge.
After we had a bear visit our motel recently, our editor seemed to be in deep thought. “Do you think a bear could get into our room?” she inquired. We answered, “Perhaps we should look through the peephole before opening the door.” Then we looked through our large window and noticed outside walls covered in timber below us. “Hmm, we suppose it’s possible,” we conceded. On Friday morning, the garbage bin below our room had been toppled, leaving a disgusting mess strewn about the passage. Guess who came to dinner, or at least, an early breakfast? Not Sydney Poitier, we don’t think.
Finally, we had cups of tea at the summit, reminiscent of being in Switzerland. It was very civilized and enjoyable but we prefer to arrive at the top and remain 'uncivilized' amongst fellow hikers—real snobs.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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