His legs kicking like crazy and a loud shriek of delight, my three-year-old went wild as he hurtled down the zip line at a hefty speed.
At first he was too scared to attempt the daring activity at the foot of the impressive Mammoth Mountain.
But after watching his younger sister bravely go first he didn’t hesitate to jump on. ‘Again, again!’ he shouted after reaching the end.
Ryan and his family spent the day at June Lake, ‘a beautiful body of still water with a stunning mountain backdrop’
The zip line is just one of several mountain adventures on offer for young children to attempt here in the town of Mammoth Lakes.
In fact the area is a fantastic, if somewhat surprising, destination for families during the summer and autumn months.
Known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding slopes and apres-ski, Mammoth has long been the go-to destination for winter tourists.
But when the snow melts away a whole new world opens up making the area a truly year-round destination.
I was surprised by the relatively easy five-hour drive to get here from my home in Los Angeles and it’s just a short flight into Mammoth Yosemite Airport as well.
My family stayed at the Sierra Nevada Resort in Mammoth Lakes itself and quickly realized everything was accessible from town.
A highlight of the rustic resort, especially for my two children, was an 18-hole mini-golf course a stone’s throw from our room.
The accommodation offers chalet-style lodgings and has a pool and a hot tub on the grounds as well as pool and football tables in the lobby area.
The Rafters restaurant does a decent breakfast to get the day started.
Ryan’s wife and his two children pose for a picture on Mammoth Mountain. He says the peak is just as alluring in the summer months as it is in the winter
The real crowd-pleasers this area has to offer are its glorious, majestic lakes – all a short drive away.
You can take the free Lakes Basin Trolley to tour some of the more impressive lakes, otherwise pack a picnic and take the car.
We spent the day at June Lake, a beautiful body of still water with a stunning mountain backdrop.
We tried kayaking and SUPing provided by Mammoth Kayaks and let the kids paddle in the shallow, clean water. They loved it at this serene, relaxing spot. There weren’t too many people around and there was loads to explore, including rocks to climb on.
It’s wise to take a picnic though as there isn’t a nearby shop to buy food and drink.
For a pint after a long day at the lake try June Lake Brewery nearby.
The brewery offers decent ales and stouts in a warehouse setting and you can grab Hawaiian Soul Food at Ohanas395 across the road and eat at the brewery’s tables.
The big draw for skiers during the winter is the snowy slopes of Mammoth Mountain, but the peak is just as alluring in the summer months.
Take a scenic gondola up to the top to breathe in the mountain air at 1,053 feet and observe the stunning views over the Sierra.
Up to two kids (ages 12 and under) ride free with each paying adult, which is a big plus.
You can grab food and drink at the Eleven53 Cafe at the summit and become knowledgeable about the geology and nature in the area at the Interpretive Center and on-mountain learning stations for the kids.
The unusual limestone rock formations that grace Mono Lake’s shores, which are known to geologists as tufa (too’-fah)
Hire mountain bikes to race down many of the challenging bike trails or simply hike over to the Lakes Basin Overlook for a commanding view.
Hold on to your hats though, a fierce wind whips up as you walk out into the open at this great height.
Back at the foot of the mountain is the Adventure Center, where we tried the zip-line.
There you’ll find plenty of action-packed fun all day.
If you buy an adventure pass the kids get unlimited access to the climbing wall, junior zip line, bungee trampoline and a new rope course.
Our younger kids especially enjoyed panning for gems at Woolly’s Mining Co.
And for the more adventurous grown-ups there’s the Via Ferrata assisted-climbing experience, which I’m told isn’t for the faint of heart.
What’s more, coming soon, is the Mammoth Mega Zip, which will offer the longest and steepest zip-lining experience in North America, with riders traveling over a mile and hitting speeds of up to 60mph as they plunge over 2,100 ft from Mammoth Mountain’s summit.
When the snow melts away in Mammoth it also opens up the roads to Devils Postpile National Monument, pictured
Ryan with his wife and two children. He says that there is something for everyone in Mammoth
Riders will be given the option to ride while seated, in a Superman-style harness or side-by-side with a friend.
With the mountain itself ticked off then it’s time to head further afield. Our local guide told us we had to see the Tufa Towers, and he wasn’t wrong.
The unusual limestone rock formations that grace Mono Lake’s shores are known to geologists as tufa (too’-fah) and it’s a truly bizarre sight you might only expect to see on a distant planet in a Star Wars movie.
The greatest concentration of these towers can be found at the South Tufa grove just off of Hwy 120 East, at the south end of Mono Lake.
When the snow melts away in Mammoth it also opens up the roads to Devils Postpile National Monument, the 101ft Rainbow Falls and the gateway to Yosemite National Park.
Mammoth also stands as a decent base to explore Yosemite, with the entrance of the coveted park just a two-hour drive away.
The mighty Rainbow Falls is one of the Mammoth area’s eye-popping sights
While many tourists opt to stay in a resort on the edge of the park itself, Mammoth is a good alternative with a large selection of accommodation and a more vibrant nightlife.
There’s a decent mix of restaurants and bars to choose from here, plus outdoor games for the kids and live music from local bands on an outdoor stage.
The ping pong table and bean bag toss game kept my two occupied while we watched on with a drink in hand.
We also liked Mammoth Brewery right in the center of town, which offers great pub grub.
Mammoth has definitely nailed the mountain life scene.