High Sierra Points of Interest
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Vikingsholm was constructed in the late 1920's of a castle-like Scandinavian design. It was the private summer residence of one of Lake Tahoe's most prominent guests. It features stone walls, intricately carved wood framing, a sod roof and period furnishings. Tours of the interior are held during summer months. The Tea House portion of Vikingsholm is situated atop a small island in the middle of Emerald Bay and can only be accessed by boat. Access to Vikingsholm is possible via a steep one mile hike from a parking lot off Highway 89, or by boat with a dock available in Emerald Bay.
Vikingsholm Mansion & Visitor Center
Highway 89 @ Emerald Bay
Tahoma, California 96142
(530) 541-3030
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Tallac Historic Site features several wooden structures built in the late 1800's to the early 1900's that once comprised an elite, lakeside resort community. Socialites of San Francisco's high society used the property as a summer retreat. Today the property is maintained and managed by the U.S. Forest Service and offers a glimpse into the luxury living of a bygone era's aristocracy. Also offered is a museum, tours and concert & theatre events through the summer.
Tallac Historic Site
Heritage Way
South Lake Tahoe, California 96150
(530) 541-5227
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Hellman-Ehrman Mansion is a 1903 log mansion situated in Sugar Pine Point State Park. It was once considered one of the finest lodges in the Sierras and featured the most modern utilities of the day including electric lights, indoor plumbing and steam generators. Today the home stands as one of Tahoe's finest examples of opulent living along the lake. Tours are held July through Labor Day in September.
Hellman-Ehrman Mansion
7595 Highway 89
Tahoma, California 96142
(530) 525-3345
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Twin Lakes is located off Highway 395 just a few miles southwest of Bridgeport. Twin Lakes holds the record for the largest brown trout caught in California. Twin Lakes offers camping, hiking, kayaking or canoeing, and terrific fishing. The larger Bridgeport Reservoir is also nearby offering additional activities. There are several remote, hike-in lakes nearby offering pristine fly fishing.
NOTE: See our Cool Towns page for more on the neat little town of Bridgeport. You can't call yourself a real fisherman if you haven't fished these lakes.
Twin Lakes
Bridgeport, California 93517
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Rainbow Fall is located 10 miles past Mammoth Mountain Ski Area's Main Lodge on Highway 203. A mandatory shuttle bus is required and is available at the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge area. The first stop is Reds Meadows, which is popular with backpackers. The second stop is for Devil's Postpile and Rainbow Fall. Devil's Postpile is a short hike from the drop off point but Rainbow Fall is worth putting in the few miles extra on the same trail. This is an enormous waterfall depending on yearly rainfall and swimming is allowed at the base. That's us in the picture on the bottom right to give you a perspective on size. Of course, the size depends on the rainfall that year and the season, with Spring yielding the most volume.
Mammoth Mountain Resort
1 Minaret Road
Mammoth Lakes, California 93546
(800) 626-6684
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Hot Creek Hot Springs are located only 3-miles south on Interstate 395 from the Highway 203/Mammoth turnoff. From Interstate 395, turn north at Hot Creek Fish Hatchery Road and follow the signs. The last 1.5-miles is unpaved but well maintained. Parking is available near public restrooms and picnic areas. Geothermal vents form small, super-heated mineral pools that emit steam on cold days. Under stream vents heat Hot Creek to jacuzzi temperatures and creek-side vents emit scalding hot gas. Although visitors can often be found swimming in the creek, it is highly discouraged due to the instability of the vents. Many people have been burned in Hot Creek. During the winter, the last 1.5-miles is not cleared of snow and makes for a short cross-country ski trail. Steam from the region can be enormous during the winter months.
TIP: Keough's Hot Springs is a swimming retreat just south of Bishop that captures the hot mineral-rich water in large swimming pools. Visitors are invited to swim in the waters.
Whitmore Pools are public pools located 15-minutes southeast of Mammoth on Interstate 395 that also capture natural hotspring waters.
Hot Creek Hot Springs
Mammoth Lakes, California 93546
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Convict Lake is located north of Bishop off Highway 395. This is a moderate-size lake but very deep. Huge granite walls protrude thousands of feet above the lake making for ominous scenery. It is an undeveloped area but offers many activities. Boat rentals are available at the marina. Cabins or campsites are available for stay. The resort features cabins, a suberb restaurant & bar, general store, horsebackriding and horseshoe pits. Camping is available along the picturesque Convict Creek which contains trophy-sized trout. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are other popular activities.
TIP: We've seen trout more than 20 inches caught in this lake. Your best bet for a trophy size is in the creek at the point where the lake spills in, or rent a boat and use a downrigger for the real monsters.
Convict Lake Resort
Mammoth Lakes, California 93546
(800) 992-2260
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Mt. Whitney is located east of Lone Pine off Highway 395. Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states at 14,395 feet. Permits are required for hiking and obtainable at the Mt. Whitney Ranger Station in Lone Pine. Hiking is prohibit during Winter months. Even when hiking in Summer winter gear is necessary near the top. You can drive to Whitney Portal at 8,000 feet and camp without a permit. The rest is a serious 11 mile hike to the summit with several base camps along the way for acclimation. Take into consideration that even though it's 100-degrees in Lone Pine, the top of Whitney can be near freezing. You MUST take altitude precautions when hiking this mountain. This climb has become popular and crowded over the years, so consider that lower base camps can fill up early and you may have to continue on to 11,000 feet your first day.
TIP: Be sure to look through the viewing scopes in front of the ranger station in Lone Pine. One of them can actually see Whitney on the cloudiest of days.
Mt. Whitney Ranger Station
640 S. Main Street
Lone Pine, California 93545
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Alabama Hills are located along Whitney Portal Road off Highway 395 in Lone Pine. This is a beautiful rock upwelling landscape that has been worn by centuries of severe weather conditions. Many old western movies, tv commercials and videos were filmed here. Visitors enjoy camping, fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Elk herds can often be seen in this area.
Lone Pine Visitor Center
126 S. Main Street
Lone Pine, California 93545
(877) 253-8981
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Indian Trading Post is located off Interstate 395 in Lone Pine. Stop off at the Indian Trading Post to see autographs of the many famous actors that have starred in movies that were filmed here. Celebrities have carved and autographed their names around the front door frame and interior walls. The trading post is shared with the Totem Cafe which serves deli-style meals, refreshments and microbrews. An outdoor patio offers views of Mt.Whitney.
Indian Trading Post
137 S. Main Street
Lone Pine, California 93545
(760) 876-4641
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