CONVICT LAKE, History and Tour

This day tour is about a 15 -minute drive away, one way, from Mammoth Lakes. Head out of town on Main Street (HWY 203), turn onto the freeway and then south on U.S. 395 about 8 miles to the Convict Lake turnoff. Turn right and follow the road up to Convict Lake Resort and thePack Station. 1/4 mile past the resort and restaurant, which has very good food, you will come upon Convict Lake, set amidst an ancient, glacial basin surrounded by rugged, 13,000-ft. peaks. Boats and fishing are allowed on the lake.

Convict Lake is a small, deep lake surrounded by majestic mountains on 3 sides. A popular spot for catching the big one! Shade picnic areas, a general store and a great restaurant make for a nice day trip. The lake was originally called Mount Diable Lake, but when 29 fugitives escaped Caron City Penitentary, and 18 were finally captured in Inyo and Mono Counties, the lake was renamed Convict Lake, and the nearby mountain renamed after the Sheriff Robert Morrison, to Morrison Mountain. The history of Convict Lake is truly fasceinating, besided being a great place to fish. Convict Lake Road is directly across from the airport.

Hot Creek Fish Hatchery

Follow the signs to Hot Creek Fish Hatchery which is on the same side of highway 395 as the airport. Signs will lead you to this amazing place where you can view trout in outdoor rearing ponds. From the hatchery, continue east two miles to see the bubbling hot springs and steaming fumaroles. You can go into the water at Hot Creek so bring your swimsuits and towels, but be careful. Follow all the posted signs.

To tour the Mammoth Lakes Basin, From Hot Creek, retrace your route back to U.S. 395 to Mammoth Lakes and continue through town along Hwy. 203. Go straight through the Minaret Road intersection and enter Lake Mary Road, which takes you to the Lakes Basin, with its 13 alpine lakes. From the road you'll see the basin's five major lakes: Twin, Mary, Mamie, George and Horseshoe. Follow the loop road around Lake Mary and head up Coldwater Canyon to visit the historic site of the Mammoth Consolidated Mine. A short hike from the parking area will lead you along Coldwater Creek to gorgeous Emerald Lake.

On your return to town, turn right onto Old Mammoth Road just below Lake Mary, and continue down this winding road past the area's first mining site and historic Mill City. Mammoth Museum is just past the meadow and golf course, along Mammoth Creek.