My wife and I have visited Mammoth Lakes, CA several times.This is a resort town in the Eastern Sierra, near lots of trailheads and with lots of comfortable condos for the ex-backpacker. The area is a dream location for the nature photographer.
Hey ol' backpacker!
I love the east side too. I see you have some of the same flowers I saw while hiking into the Palisades last week. See www.pbase.com/lighthawk/palisades_2008 if you get a chance.