Trails report: MLTS highlights
Afternoon thunderstorms, the succession of blooming wildflowers, jazz music, and buss loads of mountain bikers all assure us that summer has reached a pinnacle in Mammoth Lakes. Another important sign of summer is a calendar full of interpretive programs throughout the MLTS.
On Monday, July 21, Friends of the Inyo employee and bird “hobbyist” Jora Fogg led a well-attended bird and naturalist walk at the Inyo Craters. Equipped with guidebooks, binoculars, and high-powered zoom camera lenses, participants caught views of Red Crossbill, Orange-crowned and Yellow-rumped warblers, Evening grosbeak, Band-tailed pigeon, Red and White-breasted nuthatches, Brown creeper, Western tanager, Cassin’s finch, and White-headed woodpecker. Attendees even sighted a Pika, considered extremely rare in a habitat such as this.
Jora will be leading a second bird hike on August 25 in the Sherwin Creek area. For a full calendar and description of programs, please stop by the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center or visit FriendsoftheInyo.org.
Views of Mammoth Mountain at the pinnacle of summer. Photo courtesy: Chris Niebuhr.
This past weekend Friends of the Inyo (FOI) co-organized the third Summer of Stewardship event of the season. A cooperative effort between the Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mammoth Lakes Trails and Public Access, local businesses, and nearly 50 volunteers has given the Minaret Vista some well-deserved attention. Folks of different ages, backgrounds and even nationalities teamed up to repaint picnic tables, benches and informational signage, delineate a main trail, cut fallen trees out of the trail and undertake other cleanup projects.
It is inspiring that we place such an importance on spending time together to better the community through stewardship projects like these. A huge thanks to all who volunteer to improve this place we care so much about.
If you weren’t able to make it to Minaret Vista on the 19th, don’t worry; there is another volunteer opportunity at Convict Lake this Saturday, July 26 at 8:30 a.m. The FOI Stewardship Crew has commenced a five-week project to rebuild sections of the loop trail around the lake and they would greatly appreciate seeing you there. Afterwards, hustle over to the Heart Lake Trailhead in Coldwater at 1 p.m. to join Alex Ertaud on his much-anticipated “John Muir Hike.” Whatever your favorite MLTS pastime may be, volunteering or otherwise, we hope to see you out on the trails soon
