Mammoth
End of season trip to Mammoth. Aside from the beautiful absurdity of a ski/snowboard season that was going to last until August, it was distinctly different to be sharing the mountain with both hikers and mountain bikers!
Even after an exceptional amount of snowfall, the snow come late July still isn't much. Apparently the last ribbon of snow from McCoy down to Main Lodge faded away the morning we arrived, Climax was well covered, Cornice was starting to get thin in places, and Exhibition looked distinctly patchy and narrow in places. That's minor griping considering that you're skiing in July.
We made it down pretty much every open run, although some much more skilled (and crazier) people than we were looked like they were hitting some of the closed chutes.
With skiing restricted to noon or so, we joined the masses on the bus to Devils Postpile in the afternoon. Modest hike out to Minaret Falls, which must be a trickle most years, and the so-short-it's-not-really-a-hike out to Devils Postpile. One of the more unique rock formations I've seen, columnar basalt shaped by lava flows and retreating glaciers some time in the past 100,000 years.
Throw in some so-so meals out (Campo and Sushi Rei) in the Village (thanks for the resort credit, Mammoth!), an equally so-so meal at Lone Pine Smokehouse... and of course, some delicious meals eating in, topped off with some board games. Nice way to wrap up an extended season at Mammoth!