Mammoth Mountain: The History and Assets Behind Our Favorite Volcano

In the eastern Sierra Nevadas along the Highway 395, lies a jewel known as the city of Mammoth Lakes: a four-season mountain paradise.

While many think Mammoth Lakes got its name from the Woolly mammoth, the truth is that it was actually part of an early marketing scheme.

When gold was found in the 1870s, they named it the Mammoth Mining Company to give the impression of mammoth riches.

While no abundance of gold was ever found, the name stuck.

Today, Mammoth refers to the sheer size of the vast wilderness and all the recreational activities that are available.

The original inhabitants of Mammoth Lakes were the Paiute and Shoshone Indians. The settlers abandoned the area after the first few years of failed attempts at mining.

It wasn’t until the late 1920s and the advent of roads that people started coming back to Mammoth.

Today, Mammoth gets roughly about the same amount of summer and winter visitors every year.

Summer activities include things like hiking and fishing.

While during winter months, Mammoth averages more 350 inches of snow and is home to world-class skiing. One thing you can marvel about any time of the year is the geological wonders of the area.

It’s no wonder that Mammoth is a favorite getaway among Californians all over the state who enjoy the scenic drive to the resort or prefer to fly in to Mammoth Airport.

With a full-time population of just about over 8,000 residents, Modern Mammoth Lakes can hardly be called the big city, but that doesn’t stop it from being a booming resort community with fine dining, great lodging, shopping, and recreation that rivals Aspen and Vail.

One of the most appealing things about Mammoth Lakes is how it has kept the charm that has attracted people for years while also expanding into one of the West Coast’s biggest destination spots.

This could be one of the many reasons why Mammoth Real Estate is in such high demand.

In fact, 60% of homes in Mammoth are second homes. If full-time ownership is not for you, Mammoth has a variety of rental properties available.

In the end, the beauty of Mammoth Lakes lies not just in the incredible scenery but in fantastic outdoor activities, top-notch lodging, and restaurants that comfortably blend the new Mammoth with the old.