Hey gypsies! I hope you are having a great week so far. I wanted to end your Friday with a fun post telling you all about the places we visited while in Mammoth a few weeks ago! We have made this an annual tradition, and have found some pretty dreamy spots.
This is the first place in our list when we planned our trim to Mammoth. Hot Creek Geologic Site is one of the most breathtaking places I have ever been to. Photos do NOT do it justice. According to the USDA website:
Hot Creek is a place to marvel at geology in action. Boiling water bubbling up from the creek bed, fumaroles and periodic geyser eruptions at Hot Creek attest to the chamber of hot magma which lies about three miles below the surface of the earth in this area. The steam you see along the Hot Creek drainage is created when water percolates deep into the ground and enters a complex underground plumbing system. The water is heated and pressurized before it rises to the earth's surface. It is believed this journey takes around 1000 years. Earthquakes can cause sudden geyser eruptions and overnight appearances of new hot springs at Hot Creek."
This place is expansive, and we have only explored the first 1/4 mile of the winding creek. We follow the creek until we reach the main fishing area which has a huge rock formation. The photos you see below were taken from the top of the rock formation! There are usually not many people there when you go towards the end of November and the weather is perfect which makes for incredible photos.
It is located here: Hot Creek Hatchery Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
If you continue 4 miles up the road from the Hot Creek Geological Site, you will hit the next stop on our list: Wild Willys Hot Spring! I've always wanted to get into a natural hot spring, and am so thrilled I finally did. (if I did this again, I would definitely bring water shoes and bike shorts because the mud is disgusting when it touches your legs) The view of the mountains + open fields + dreamy sky while sitting in a natural jacuzzi was something I will never forget.
Wild Willy's is located at: 395 Benton Crossing RD, Mammoth Lakes CA 93546.
IMPORTANT: do NOT submerge your head in the hot springs!! If you get water up your nose, it is insanely dangerous because of the amoeba fowleri found in hot springs. Those amoebas enter your brain through your nose, and cause death within 2 weeks... EFFING SCARY!!!
Convict lake is such a gorgeous place to sit at a picnic table with some hot cocoa and watch the sunset. The sun peeks out from behind the snow covered mountains while the last rays of sun glisten off the water. We absolutely loved shooting here!
If you navigate to Twin Lakes, you will drive up the most beautiful winding road. The snow covered trees and quaint cabins look like something straight out of a storybook. We pulled over, and shot the blow photos. I recommend exploring around because there are tons of amazing photo opportunities.
You HAVE to visit Black Velvet Coffee. They have the most delicious drinks and the inside is absolutely stunning!! Think rustic meets industrial but with all kinds of charm. Johnny swears by their lavender cold brew and I stick to their classic cappuccino and a matcha biscotti.
Location: 3343 Main St, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
