Twin Lake, June Lake Loop & Mono Lake - Day Trip from Mammoth

We head off after breakfast back up to do the Twin Lakes loop which we missed yesterday and then head back via Old Mammoth Rd, before looking up the other route in town.

Mammoth

Next we headed up Mammoth Mountain to see what was up there - quite a lot to our surprise.... we park and have a look around - there is a gondola & adventure centre, shops, zip lines, climbing walls, etc etc.
We talk to one of the ladies who says the trip around up to Devil's Postpile would be more for our money for a first trip, so we head off in that direction, stopping at the Minaret Vista Lookout.

 Did I mention it is freezing up here......most people are wearing high altitude tramping wear, big jackets and long pants!

Anyway, we head into the national park and at the gate are told that you can not drive this yourself, you must catch a shuttle from back at the village.  We head back and decide to find out more, get some tickets and there is a huge line.....we stand in line for 30-45 minutes in freezing wind when I decide to go back and ask for a refund as it is now 12.30pm and the buses still aren't here - we have discovered there are ten stops and if you get off you have to wait for the next bus - of course you cant see anything if you don't get off.  It is so cold and we would be going further up - even colder.  They were very reluctant to refund us and then say that the walk between two points is 2 hours long - this seals it for me - we really need a full day to do this in a warmer temperature. Finally I get our money back and we head back to the RV for lunch before heading off to explore other areas. 

 We decide to head around the June Lake Loop - a very scenic drive encompassing four lakes.






Daryl at Silver Lake

Wildflowers are still out this time.




Below is the local wild irises with one of the plentiful yellow butterflies floating around.






Next we go to Mono Lake - got some nice shots out of the RV last time and always wanted to go back as I have seen some beautiful photography of this area - you really need a sunrise or sunset shot - stunning.

Southern Tufta - Mono Lake has a PH10 and is 2 & half times saltier than the ocean.

A big day out and got to see lots we missed on the first trip thru this area.  Tomorrow we head off north towards Carson City & Reno.

Our little Bluejay (I think?) was back in camp tonight.