July 30th 2022
Every year in July my friends and I take a trip to mammoth Lakes California, our annual summer blowout. The trip began back in highschool with the OG red Volkswagen Eurovan loaded to the brim, dash lights blaring and the whole group piled in the back. Every year we get the same camping spot(secret location lol) that gives us access a creek to wash off, privacy from other campers, great trees for hammocking, and an aggressive rocky road on the way up that prevents any unwanted visitors from entering in our camp allowing us leave our site all set up and leave gear out while we leave.
The trip was originally founded on the idea of fly fishing the Owens River and skating for hours on end at the Volcom Brothers Skatepark. The skatepark is one of the largest in California and a regular skate trip spot for pro skaters from all around offering an awesome watching experience if your not into throwing massive lipslides on a 20ft pool coping. Personally I could spend 8 hours a day at this skatepark however a group our size is bound to have some other interests besides skating dawn to dusk. In the area there are 2 spots, my two favorite things to do in Mammoth Lakes aside from skating.
- Hot Springs
Mammoth is known for its awesome hot springs but the trick is finding empty pools at night when every other granola camper has the same idea as you. I recommend just buying a hotspring map at the gas station in town before going out and just driving through each one, generally there are a few springs down each road and there is bound to be something. generally our tactic is to go to the same one every night every year and just wait outside the tub while the group who is already in there has to awkwardly enjoy our presence or leave lmao. Usually they get wierded out by us just hanging out right outside of the tub and they leave because our group is so large that it is easy to overtake spots lol. These hotsprings always have the best sunsets and sunrises for some sick pictures and beautiful watching experiences. Check out some pics below!
2. REGGAE FESTIVAL
In Mammoth on the weekend of July 22nd-24th there is Reggae festival in the village at Mammoth. Offering free music, vendors lined up along the edges of the courtyard, and some awesome reggae artists. My favorite part of this festival is the awesome breweries that set up their pop-up vendor bars offering all sorts of different brews along with the festivals close proximity to Mammoth brewing company for some awesome food and beers literally down the street if you need some good food and a beer in preparation for the festival. I would however definitely recommend figuring out your DD for the night because I cant deny that the fun just increases after a few beers and some dancing to music.
