Magical Morning Moments: Exploring the Beauty of Mammoth Lakes | California

Discover nature's wonders at Devil's Postpile, explore Mammoth Lakes' outdoor treasures, and savor the charm of Schatz Bakery - a perfect trifecta for an unforgettable adventure!
The Devil's Postpile National Monument is a unique geological formation located near Mammoth Lakes, California. The monument showcases a striking display of basalt columns that were formed around 100,000 years ago when a lava flow cooled and contracted, creating hexagonal columns. The result is a breathtaking formation resembling a gigantic pipe organ. The area is renowned for its natural beauty and offers visitors the chance to explore not only the Postpile but also the scenic Rainbow Falls and the surrounding pristine wilderness.
Mammoth Lakes, situated in the Eastern Sierra region of California, serves as the gateway to numerous outdoor adventures. Known for its stunning alpine scenery, Mammoth Lakes attracts visitors year-round. Winter enthusiasts flock to the area for world-class skiing and snowboarding, while warmer months offer opportunities for hiking, fishing, and mountain biking. The town itself is a charming mountain community with a range of amenities, from cozy cabins to upscale dining, making it a popular destination for those seeking both outdoor recreation and a peaceful mountain retreat.
In the heart of Mammoth Lakes, Schat's Bakery is a local institution that has been delighting residents and visitors alike since 1903. Known for its artisanal bread, pastries, and sandwiches, Schat's Bakery has become a beloved gathering spot. The aroma of freshly baked goods wafts through the air as patrons enjoy a cup of coffee and indulge in a variety of delicious treats. The bakery's commitment to quality and tradition has made it a cherished part of the Mammoth Lakes experience, providing a taste of comfort and community amidst the stunning natural surroundings.
VIDEO FILMED: 09/16/2023
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking, day trips, and campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

[@marshmallows5641]

Everything you've shown from this California trip has been incredible! What a great part of such a beautiful state. From all lava can do, to the vast tranquil lakes, and all those stunning trees!

[@CactusAtlas]

Right? It's easy to fall in love with that area, given the beautiful and fascinating things to see. 😄

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's a great area. Always stop at Schat's when we pass by and try something new.

[@CactusAtlas]

A bit of a long roadtrip for us to go back to try something new. 😂 Kinda jealous! What are some of your faves?

[@susanasalinas4273]

Such beauty n wonder!! Devil's Postpile is amazing. Thanks for the hook-up. Hi Amy.

[@CactusAtlas]

I know! Mother nature is pretty wild, right? Fascinating to think that cooled lava would fracture in that shape repeatedly. 😊

[@joycemoulis4392]

Beautiful place! Great adventure!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it as much as we did! 😄

[@user-kw7yp5pw3n]

Never heard much about Mammoth lakes except for skiing. Thanks for sharing cause now we want to go see it for ourselves. 😊

[@CactusAtlas]

Same thing for us too. Always associated it with a winter destination for skiing and such but it's really quite lovely even without snow! 😄

[@keith9875]

Glenn & Amy, I just need to tell you again how much I enjoy your travel adventures. You do a great job Glenn with your narratives. Best of luck with your channel and thank you.

[@CactusAtlas]

Our pleasure! And thank you. That means a lot to us. 😊

[@patlebaron1849]

Wonderful as always!

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks you so very much! 😊

[@ritajennings334]

Thank you. I didn’t know about the postpile until I saw your adventure

[@CactusAtlas]

Awesome! Glad we could help! 😄

[@Lynne76]

Brilliant, I really enjoyed watching this, Thank you. 😊

[@CactusAtlas]

You’re welcome 😊 Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronl8495]

It’s something I should have checked out during the years I was a Californian! Thanks for filling in the blanks for me! Great vid! 😎

[@CactusAtlas]

Our pleasure! Happy we could bring it to you! 😊

[@jwebbw]

Thanks for the tour, I was a resident there three different times over the years, always nice to see it again. And thanks for the Schat's fritter tip, I definitely will try one the next time in town.

[@CactusAtlas]

Anytime! Thanks for checking our video out. ☺️

[@leeguthrie2283]

That was fascinating. I didn't know about this place.

[@CactusAtlas]

Glad we could bring it to you! 😊

[@scotty92028]

I was once an avid trout fisherman and spent many vacations and long weekends in the Eastern Sierra. Camped at Minaret Falls campground back in 1981. Fished the San Joaquin River and hiked to Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. I would recommend that hike if you go again as Rainbow Falls is beautiful. What’s cool about the San Joaquin River is you’re accessing it from the Eastern Sierras and the river flows towards the Western Sierras into the San Joaquin Valley. The Mammoth Lakes area is an active volcanic area that’s why there are carbon monoxide (a byproduct of the underground activity) warning signs. And, Schats Bakery in Bishop (original) is best😂 The Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley is so rich in history and beauty. Thank you so much fir sharing your adventures in Lassen, Tahoe and the Eastern Sierra❤️❤️❤️

[@CactusAtlas]

Rainbow Falls was on the list to do but I think after a very long roadtrip Glenn was running out of steam just a smidge. We tend to underestimate when planning sometimes. 😅 Glad you've enjoyed our adventures up in the Eastern Sierra. Just wish we could spend more time up there!

[@scotty92028]

@@CactusAtlas You can tell by the quality of the Cactus Atlas videos that you both put a lot of effort into making and presenting them! Glen is a natural👍👍👍 of all the youtube channels that I watch the Cactus Atlas is by far the best, both content and quality👍👍👍

[@TravelSzN]

beautiful scenery! I would love to go there!

[@CactusAtlas]

If you get an opportunity, you absolutely should! Such a beautiful area. 😊

[@joywyse6996]

Hey Glenn another beautiful road trip. At the end at Schat's, you made me so hungry I have to go out and get a muffin or something at our Straw Hat Market. Beautiful, just beautiful. Devil's Postpile was very interesting and gorgeous lakes. I have never seen or heard of it.

[@CactusAtlas]

Haha! Schats inspiring delicious treat consumption everywhere. Oh, to go back and grab a few more things there! 😄

[@problu9586]

Nicely shot. Been on my bucket list for way too long, because I'm terrible at scheduling activities in advance.

[@CactusAtlas]

Even the best planning can go wrong (especially when weather is concerned). 😅 You'll get there one day, I bet! 👍

[@DebbieHumphries-jm9ig]

We were there in 2022. We passed a few PCT hikers on the hike to Minaret Falls. Beautiful area.

[@CactusAtlas]

It really is. And mad respect for those PCT hikers. 😊

[@Letthedaybegin.]

In California there was a show called California’s Gold. Huell Howser was the host. He would go throughout various towns and places like Devil’s Postpile. I hope you can do a video series on highway 395 someday.

[@CactusAtlas]

Would LOVE to do a series on 395. So many amazing places along it. 😊

[@vancejohnson2578]

Never a good idea to get in a big rush in the Sierras! I retired here...

[@vancejohnson2578]

'Schatt's'...long 'A'

[@birdman5223]

Huell was TheMan!

[@vancejohnson2578]

Yeah he was, birdman!

[@MissAstorDancer]

Just fantastic! I literally laughed out loud when you said, "You Rock!"......and not, I had not "gotten it" until you said, "Get it?" Then I LOLed even more!!! That apple fritter looked so stinkin' good! I could almost taste it! Loved your dialog with the fritter!😆 I just love your vids so much! I know I always say the same things when I comment to you, which is why I don't always comment. But then, I guess when it comes to comments, a nod is as good as a wink, eh? Happy trails!

[@CactusAtlas]

I'm still bitter that Glenn didn't come home with an extra apple fritter. Editing that footage was torture! 😂 We always appreciate comments and glad you chose to today. Thanks for watching and hanging out!

[@annettemills3840]

I haven’t heard of that place. But now it goes on my bucket list. I was born in California, but I grew up in Alaska.

[@CactusAtlas]

Nice! Always happy to help fill out a bucket list. 😄

[@jonluchessi1643]

I am an avid outdoorsman living in northern California and fortunately we have beautiful places up north here, the mammoth area is beautiful but I don’t go there because of all the crowds there’s just too many people such a beautiful massive wilderness, you literally have to get a permit when you go there stand in line and try to find parking, it’s unfortunate that it’s turned out this way, but it is a beautiful area the one time I went there it was unbelievable but at the same time there was just too many people

[@CactusAtlas]

We can completely understand. Had the same experience at Yellowstone. It felt similar to a Disney vacation at some points with the crowds and waiting around. I guess the positive is that it's nice people still care about beautiful nature. 😊

[@gstiles7]

The Devil's Post Pile was AWESOME! Which got named first, tower or pile? Whoever was last copied the other because of the similarity. I can't wait for you to return and kayak around those lakes! You had me dying at the end...just saying that repeatedly. 🤣

[@CactusAtlas]

One has to wonder why so many things are named Devil this and that. 😂

[@beckyfowkes3036]

The devil's postpile was incredible! I would like to visit it. We have devil's racecourse here in southcentral PA that was due to glacier activity. You can rattling run flowing under the boulders.

[@CactusAtlas]

Very cool! I'm going to have to check that out online. 😄👍

[@bruceh527]

what’s everyone’s best app for campground info.. facilities/ basics etc…. Great channel Glenn…

[@CactusAtlas]

Thanks so much! Honestly, we ourselves just use recreation.gov. 😅

[@two_boomers_and_a_dog]

Great vlog! We also have "Devils Postpile" type rocks on White Pass in Washington state. 😊 One suggestion is to please slow down moving the camera when reviewing the map. We can't keep up 👀🤣

[@CactusAtlas]

Lots of past volcanic evidence in that area. Fascinating science making really interesting shaped remainders. And thanks for the feedback! 👍

[@Dany-ii5lu]

German food is delicious... I highly recommend it ☺ Big hugh from over the big pond!!!

[@CactusAtlas]

😊 Thank you!

[@scotthanes6942]

The sulfur warning is because it’s volcanic in mammoth and there is a volcanic vent under that lake and contaminates the water. There is also lots of earthquakes .

[@CactusAtlas]

Certainly makes sense. Still just an odd thing to come across for someone not from that area. 😅

[@davel7642]

Glen, you need to try Erick Schat’s Bakery in Bishop, CA. Much larger than the one in Mammoth Lakes with more baked goods. I think the two may have been related at some time, but no longer.

[@CactusAtlas]

I'm a little fuzzy on how all the bakeries are related (if at all). I know I found a surprising amount with that name in California when I was investigating. 🤔

[@010bobby]

Do they have roast beef, ham and cheese, rueben sandwiches will go super with that coffee..

[@CactusAtlas]

They have all sorts of sandwiches. I've heard they're amazing. 🤤

[@CJ-fz2fm]

No hexagon rolling boulder, Indiana Glenn? 🗿

[@CactusAtlas]

🤣 The boulder must have rolled after some other visitor.

[@ronl8495]

You need to to wear a warmer coat, lol

[@CactusAtlas]

Only so much room to pack camping and filming supplies unfortunately. 😅

[@truthserum5202]

You are seeing the remnants of an ancient giant Tree. No different than Devil's Tower in Wyoming.