Mammoth Gateway contest results

For timeless and classic arrival and departure messages for the Mammoth Gateway monuments, legendary naturalist John Muir was the big winner in Thanksgiving week’s online voting at www.mammothgateway.org.

Of the top three choices, narrowed down from 78 entries, for which arrival message best sums up the Mammoth experience, John Muir’s quote, “The mountains are calling,” garnered nearly 55% of the vote. “Gateway to the Heart of the High Sierra” came in at 30% and “Welcome” had 15%. Mammoth local Jim Smith suggested the Muir quote.

Of the 29 departure message entries, Muir also made it as one of the top three choices for best send-off for visitors as they leave town: “Going to the mountains is going home” was coupled with “See you again soon,” which pulled in 51% for that message. A close second was, “We will be known forever by the tracks we leave,” a Native American proverb  that picked up 40% of the vote. “Smile. You’ll be returning soon!” was a distant third at 9%.

Long-time local Larry Walker, who entered the departing Muir quote, said he was inspired by it when he began designing the Mammoth Gateway monument.

Sixty-six percent of voters were locals and 34% second homeowners, frequent visitors and self-described “Mammoth fans.”

–Press Release