ASPEN GROUP (INYO)
Campground · Mammoth Lakes corridor
ASPEN GROUP (INYO) is a high-Sierra campground at 8,327 feet in the Mammoth Lakes corridor, surrounded by lodgepole pine and accessed via Highway 203. Protected from afternoon wind by its forest setting.
Mornings are calm and often cold; afternoons bring predictable wind funneling through the drainage. The 30-day average wind of 10 mph masks afternoon gusts that can spike to 33 mph by mid-day. Expect the site to warm slowly even in late spring, with average temperatures near 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind direction typically shifts from gentle easterly to strong westerly by 2 PM.
Over the past 30 days, ASPEN GROUP (INYO) has averaged a NoGo Score of 15.0, with calm windows as low as 6.0 and rough stretches reaching 31.0. The 30-day average wind of 10 mph reflects a narrow seasonal window; expect this pattern to persist through the rolling 7-day forecast. Plan morning trips to avoid the afternoon wind spike that dominates this elevation and drainage geometry.
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About ASPEN GROUP (INYO)
ASPEN GROUP (INYO) sits on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada's Mammoth Lakes corridor at 8,327 feet elevation. Access is via Highway 203 from the town of Mammoth Lakes, heading west toward the Lakes Basin. The campground occupies mixed conifer forest typical of this elevation band, with lodgepole pine as the dominant species. The location is within the range of the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC), though the site itself has no avalanche terrain. Most visitors arrive from Mammoth Lakes town, roughly 10 miles to the east, or from the US-395 corridor further east.
ASPEN GROUP (INYO) experiences pronounced diurnal wind cycles driven by drainage flow and thermal heating of the surrounding peaks. The 30-day rolling average temperature is 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with a year-round minimum around 13 degrees and maximum near 44 degrees. The 30-day average wind is 10 mph, but afternoon gusts reach 33 mph, making morning hours substantially calmer. Crowding averages 8.0 (low to moderate) over the rolling 30 days, reflecting the site's secondary status compared to nearby Lakes Basin campgrounds. Late spring through early autumn offers the longest weather windows; winter access depends on Highway 203 snowpack and plowing.
ASPEN GROUP (INYO) suits car-campers and backpackers staging into the Lakes Basin or nearby drainage systems. The protected forest setting and moderate elevation make it viable for those seeking refuge from higher-exposure camps. Experienced Sierra visitors plan around the afternoon wind; morning fishing, hiking, or water trips are the standard play. Parking is tight during peak season weekends; arrive before 10 AM or plan for mid-week visits when the 30-day average crowding of 8.0 drops further. Snow persists longer here than at Mammoth Lakes town; confirm Highway 203 conditions before committing to a spring trip.
Nearby alternatives include the Lakes Basin campgrounds (Horseshoe Lake, Twin Lakes) to the west, which sit at similar elevations but offer more exposed, wind-prone settings. Convict Lake, to the south along Highway 203, is lower, warmer, and better sheltered but often fuller. June Lake Loop, to the north, provides a longer scenic detour with more amenity options. For paddlers and anglers, ASPEN GROUP (INYO) offers quieter access to the local creek systems without the afternoon wind exposure of the main lakes.