Reds Meadow

Tucked in the heart of the Sierra Nevada's Ansel Adams Wilderness, among towering pines, dusty trails and breathtaking waterfalls, Reds Meadow is a welcome sight to backpackers and campers alike.

Reds Meadow Resort and Pack Station is an ideal place to rough it for a week — or a weekend — while enjoying a variety of outdoors activities, from horseback riding and trout fishing to hikes along the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.

For through-hikers continuing on the trail, the Reds Meadow resupply store is a Godsend, offering both weighing and next-point shipping services. The store has a nice variety of hiking, fishing and camping supplies, and plenty of souvenirs, snacks and drinks for day trippers. Whether you want a cold beer and hot dog, or a simple scoop of ice cream, they're sure to have it.

For something more hearty, head next door to the Reds Meadow restaurant, Mule House Cafe. This rustic and casual eatery serves up a nice variety of homestyle meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even Tom Hanks is a fan! The Reds Meadow Store and restaurant hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

If you want to make a vacation of it, the Reds Meadow cabins sleep approximately six people. Going for $150 per night, the cabins include such amenities as private a private bath with shower, bedding, towels, gas range, coffee pot, refrigerator, dishes and utensils. The Reds Meadow motel rooms, at $79 per night, sleep four, and also have their own private bath and shower.

If you'd rather rough it in the great outdoors, there are several places to pitch your tent between mid-June and mid-September. Reds Meadow campground reservations can be made at Agnew Meadows and Pumice Flat Group Campgrounds, but the other five campgrounds nearby are first come, first served.

During your camping stay, you're free to use the Reds Meadow Hot Springs showers, which remain a constant 103 degrees, fed from real hot mineral springs beneath the ground. There are approximately four shower stalls, and donations are appreciated.

Rainbow Falls is just a short hike from Reds Meadow Resort. Photo by Veronica Hill.

For a true wild west experience, don't miss the Reds Meadow Pack Station, which offers a variety of horse trail rides and adventures. If you're here just for the day, book one of the guided horseback rides, ranging from 2 hours ($65) up to a full day ($140).

More adventurous spirits can book a lengthier trip. The Bishop to Bodie Ride is a 5-day journey through the scenic Sierra Nevada mountains, Mono Lake region, Bishop and Bodie. Other guided trips include a 3-day Western Horse Drive, held every June and September; a Fishing Pack Trip, where you can enjoy fly fishing in famous Fish Creek and the lakes of the John Muir Wilderness; and a 6-day pack trip to Yosemite's Tuolomne Meadows, approximately 50 miles from Reds Meadow. Guided hiking trips are also offered, and most include your own personal camp cook!

If you're staying in Mammoth Lakes, you can reach Reds Meadow via the Reds Meadow Shuttle, which leaves from the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. The shuttle operates between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. daily. Shuttle bus tickets, available inside the adventure center, are $7 for adults, and $4 for kids ages 3-16.

During our visit, we enjoyed several day hikes around Reds Meadow. Don't miss Devil's Postpile National Monument, formed by pooling lava more than 100,000 years ago, and the breathtaking Rainbow Falls (pictured), which plunges 101 feet to the ground. Named for the misty rainbows that appear here, Mammoth Rainbow Falls is the highest waterfall on the San Joaquin River's Middle Fork. The falls are an easy 2 1/2 mile hike from the Ranger Station.

Reds Meadow is located in the Inyo National Forest, surrounded by the Ansel Adams Wilderness and John Muir Wilderness. Permits for overnight trips can be obtained by calling the Inyo National Forest's Wilderness Permit Office at (760) 873-2485.

The Resort at Reds Meadow address is PO Box 395 Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546. Call (760) 934-2345 or visit www.redsmeadow.com

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