Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (Fodor's) - Fodor's [13]
California State Mining and Mineral Museum.
Displays on Gold Rush history here include a faux hard-rock mine shaft, a miniature stamp mill, and a 13-pound chunk of crystallized gold. | Mariposa County Fairgrounds, Mariposa 95338 | 209/742–7625 | www.parks.ca.gov | $3 | May–Sept., daily 10–6; Oct.–Apr., Wed.–Mon. 10–4.
Devils Postpile National Monument.
East of Mammoth Lakes lies this rock formation of smooth, vertical basalt columns sculpted by volcanic and glacial forces. A short, steep trail winds to the top of the 60-foot cliff for a bird’s-eye view of the columns. Follow Route 203 west from U.S. 395 to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area to board the shuttle bus to the monument, which you must take if you are a day-use visitor entering the monument between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM, mid-June through early September. A 2-mi hike past Devils Postpile leads to the monument’s second scenic wonder, Rainbow Falls, where a branch of the San Joaquin River plunges more than 100 feet over a lava ledge. When the water hits the pool below, sunlight turns the resulting mist into a spray of color. Scenic picnic spots dot the banks of the river. | Minaret Rd., Mammoth Lakes 93546 | 760/934–2289, 760/934–0606 shuttle | www.nps.gov/depo | $7 | Mid-June–Oct., 24 hrs.
Hot Creek Geologic Site.
Forged by an ancient volcanic eruption, the Hot Creek Geologic Site is a landscape of boiling hot springs, fumaroles, and geysers about 10 mi southeast of the town of Mammoth Lakes. You can walk along boardwalks through the canyon to view the steaming volcanic features. Fly-fishing for trout is popular upstream from the springs. En route to Hot Creek Geologic Site is the Hot Creek Fish Hatchery (Hot Creek Hatchery Rd. east of U.S. 395, Mammoth Lakes 93546 | 760/934–2664 | Free | June–Oct., daily 8–4, depending on snowfall), the breeding ponds for most of the fish (3–5 million annually) the state uses to stock eastern Sierra lakes and rivers. | Hot Creek Hatchery Rd. east of U.S. 395, Mammoth Lakes 93546 | 760/924–5500 | Free | Daily sunrise–sunset.
Mono Lake.
Since the 1940s the city of Los Angeles has diverted water from the streams that feed this lake, lowering its water level and exposing striking towers of tufa, or calcium carbonate. Court victories by environmentalists have forced a reduction of the diversions, and the lake is rising again. Millions of migratory birds nest in and around Mono Lake. If you join the naturalist-guided South Tufa Walk, bring your binoculars. Tours depart the South Tufa parking lot 5 mi east of U.S. 395 on Route 120 and last about 1½ hours. | South of Lee Vining on U.S. 395 93541 | 760/647–3044 | www.monolake.org | $3 | Walks weekends at 1 pm.
Railtown 1897.
Have a look at the roundhouse, turntable, shop rooms, and old locomotives and rail cars at this site, which is operated by the California State Railroad Museum. A steam train makes 40-minute journeys on weekends April through October. | 5th Ave. and Reservoir Rd., Jamestown 95814 | 209/984–3953 | www.csrmf.org | Tour $9; train ride $6 | Daily 9:30–4:30.
Yosemite Mountain–Sugar Pine Railroad.
Travel back to a time when powerful locomotives hauled massive log trains through the Sierra. This 4-mi, narrow-gauge, steam-powered railroad excursion takes you near Yosemite’s south gate; there’s also a moonlight special, with dinner and entertainment. Take Route 41 south from Yosemite about 8 mi to the departure point. | 56001 Rte. 41, Fish Camp 93623 | 559/683–7273 | www.ymsprr.com | $13–$46 | Mar.–Oct., daily; hrs vary.
NEARBY ACTIVITIES
BOATING AND RAFTING
Bass Lake Water Sports and Marina (559/642–3200), on the Bass Lake Reservoir, 3 mi north and 6 mi east of Oakhurst, rents ski boats, patio boats, and fishing boats. In summer, the noisy reservoir is packed shortly after 8 AM, when it opens. There’s also a restaurant and snack bar. Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions (800/431–3636 | www.zrafting.com), in Columbia, conducts half-day to three-day white-water trips on the Tuolumne, Merced, and American rivers for paddlers of all experience