Mammoth: February 2021: Day 1

Mammoth

February 2021: Day 1

Copper Top's new location at the northern edge of Big Pine.

Outdoor seating. Super windy today.

Ribs and tri-tip. MMMMMM.

And the baked beans are awesome if you're okay with spice.

Great looking space but very exposed to the wind.

Array of smokers.

Semi-inside seating.

Erick Schat's Bakkery in Bishop.

COVID-19 precautions.

Discount rack is pretty full even at nearly 5:00pm on a Saturday.

Racks are more than half empty. Hopefully due to end of the day?

Cheese bread!

Sunset over the Sierra Nevadas.

Arrival at The Westin Monache in Mammoth Lakes.

Weekend hot chocolate in the lobby-- now grab 'n go.

Dining and living area in a Westin 2 bedroom suite.

Masked up.

Saddest face ever.

Leisurely drive up to Mammoth, with the usual stops in Big Pine and Bishop on the way. Copper Top BBQ relocated to a somewhat larger space in Big Pine, and both the pork ribs and the tri-tip are still superb. The chili is nom nom nom too. However bring a jacket, as it's pretty windy at the north end of town, and with COVID-19 you'll be eating either outside or in the car.

A few minutes further north, Erick Schat's Bakkery is still busy, but waaay down from pre-pandemic highs. This close to closing time, the day-old rack was surprisingly full, which probably isn't a good sign.

Finished off the last hour on US-395 north with the sun setting over the Sierras, and a surprisingly pleasant evening in Mammoth Lakes. The 2 bedroom units at the Westin Monache are quite nice, but definitely starting to show their age, with both an unexpectedly crappy dishwasher and microwave, not to mention some really odd cabinet choices. Definitely glad to have not bought a unit here.