Mammoth Lakes Conditions This Weekend

Eastern Sierra Nevada · 6,400–13,700 ft · Updated August 21, 2026

Solid late-summer weekend if you go high. The above-9,000ft band averages a NoGo of 18.9 versus 25.0 at the valley floor, temps top out around 67F, and Sunday improves further as the trend drops 6 points. Stay above treeline and this is a clean go.

goHigh country shines, valley floors breezy this weekend

Best Window

Sunday daily

Worst Window

Saturday afternoon at lower elevations

Where to Go

Feather Lake Pass

Recess Pass

Lake Thomas A Edison

Where to Skip

Convict Lake (NoGo 31, wind 23mph, crowds)

Mammoth Mountain (NoGo 31, wind 24mph)

Mono Lake (NoGo 31, wind 27mph)

Elevation Tip

Above 9,000ft scores average NoGo 18.9 vs 25.0 below 7,000ft. Go high.

Mammoth Lakes Weekend Forecast: August 22-23, 2026

Where to Go

Feather Lake Pass (10,728ft) and Recess Pass (11,986ft) are the top two scores in the entire dataset at NoGo 16.5, with 64F temps and wind only to 16mph. Access Recess Pass via the Mono Creek Trailhead off Lake Edison Road, a roughly 9-mile push into the Fourth Recess basin past some of the best granite in the Eastern Sierra. Feather Lake Pass sits in the same drainage and can be combined for a multi-day loop.

Volcanic Knob (11,138ft) and Glass Mountain (11,138ft) both score NoGo 16.5 to 16.8. Glass Mountain is a straightforward off-trail ridge walk from the east side with sweeping views of Mono Basin and the volcanic tablelands. Wind hits 22mph up top so layer up, but that is still manageable for a summit day.

Lake Thomas A Edison (7,647ft) is the best lower-elevation option at NoGo 17.8 with wind only 15mph. Fish the lake for brown trout and rainbow trout using a float tube with a leech pattern or cast spinners from the ferry dock area. Mono Creek Trailhead nearby is calm and opens up mileage toward the high country.

Rock Creek Lake (9,724ft) scores NoGo 22.6 at 60F with 19mph wind. It holds brook trout and brown trout and fishes well on a Woolly Bugger swung near the inlet. The Little Lakes Valley Trailhead sits just above at 10,243ft, though its NoGo of 30.3 means crowds are a factor there specifically.

Where to Skip

Convict Lake (NoGo 31.0) and Mammoth Mountain (NoGo 31.1) are the worst scores in the region. Convict Lake gets 23mph wind and temperatures of 55F, rough for a lakeshore day. The Hilton Creek Trailhead (NoGo 32.5) is the single worst-scoring location all weekend at 25mph wind. Skip the whole Crowley Lake corridor: McGee Creek Trailhead (NoGo 24.6), Hilton Creek (NoGo 32.5), and Crowley Campground (NoGo 23.1) all get 25mph gusts with AQI sitting at 40.

Mono Lake (NoGo 31.0) and Lee Vining (NoGo 28.3) take 27mph sustained wind all weekend. If you are driving up Highway 395 from the south, do not stop at Mono Lake this trip.

Bottom Line

Drive Highway 395 to the Rock Creek Road or Lake Edison turnoff, get above 9,000ft, and Sunday will be the better of the two days.

Published August 21, 2026 · Weekend of 2026-08-22 to 2026-08-23

About Mammoth Lakes Conditions

Mammoth Lakes sits at 7,880 feet on the east side of the Sierra crest, where conditions tend toward extremes. Mammoth Mountain averages over 400 inches of snow annually. Summers are short, dry, and stunning, with wildflower season compressed into July and August.

Getting There

From Los Angeles, Highway 395 north through Bishop reaches Mammoth in about 5 hours. From the Bay Area, the fastest summer route is Highway 120 over Tioga Pass (closed in winter) connecting to 395, about 5.5 hours. In winter, the only reliable route from the west side is Highway 50 to Carson City, then south on 395, which adds significant time. From Reno, it's about 3 hours south on 395. Highway 203 is the main road into town from 395 and is kept open year-round.

Weather

Mammoth runs cold. The town sits above 7,800 feet and surrounding terrain climbs well above treeline. Overnight lows below freezing are possible in every month except July and August. Wind is a constant factor. The eastern Sierra escarpment funnels Pacific storms into intense, localized events. When a storm hits Mammoth, it hits hard. Between storms, conditions are often clear and dry. Summer thunderstorms build most afternoons in July and August. Plan to be below treeline by early afternoon.

Crowds & Timing

Ski season (November through May, sometimes June) is the primary draw, with holiday weekends and powder days creating the biggest crowds. Summer is growing in popularity but remains far less crowded than Tahoe or Yosemite. The Lakes Basin and Devils Postpile are the busiest summer spots. September and October are the quietest months with excellent conditions: warm days, cold nights, and fall colors in the aspens along the June Lake Loop.

Popular Locations

Mammoth Mountain

Ski area summit. One of the longest seasons in North America.

11,053 ft

Lake Mary

Chain of alpine lakes south of town. Easy access, family-friendly.

8,900 ft

Devils Postpile

National Monument. Shuttle required in summer. Rainbow Falls is the main draw.

7,560 ft

June Lake Loop

Scenic 16-mile loop. Peak fall colors in October.

7,600 ft

Hot Creek

Geothermal area. Swimming prohibited but worth seeing.

7,100 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What are conditions like at Mammoth Lakes this weekend?▾

Mammoth conditions shift fast with elevation and season. This page updates every Thursday with specifics on temperature, wind, trail access, and the best locations to target for the weekend.

Is Mammoth Mountain still skiing this weekend?▾

Mammoth Mountain typically operates from November through late May or June, depending on snowpack. Check mammothmountain.com for current lift status. The NoGo report covers backcountry and town conditions rather than resort operations.

How cold does it get at Mammoth Lakes?▾

Mammoth sits at 7,880 feet and runs cold year-round. Winter lows regularly drop below 0°F, and freezing overnight temps are possible even in May and September. Always pack warmer layers than you think you need.