Nestled into the mountainside near the headwaters of Mammoth Creek, the Mammoth Consolidated mining camp offers a captivating glimpse into the region's past. Preserved in a state of "arrested decay" by the U.S. Forest Service, this ghost town showcases weathered clapboard and log cabins amidst towering lodgepole pines. The remnants of ancient mining equipment sit as silent witnesses, evoking the bygone era of a resource-based community. In its heyday during the Depression Era, the camp employed up to fourteen men who lived in bunkhouses and earned wages equivalent to $75 today. Isolated and without electricity, the miners had limited contact with civilization while the town of Mammoth Lakes was still in its early stages. The Mammoth Consolidated Mine ruins can be explored within the scenic Mammoth Lakes Basin. Along the trail, visitors can discover the bunkhouses, the mine owner's log cabin, and the impressive remains of the diesel-powered mill. The towering 110-horsepower engine, the grated lower tunnel, and the rusty air and water compressors offer fascinating insights into mining operations. The trail also provides picturesque views of Lake Mary, creating a truly captivating experience.
