What a wild ride this has been! But you, our guests, have been so kind, so understanding, so patient as we have all muddled our way through the chaos that Covid19 brought to your spring plans and our bookings.

Truth is, we had emergency plans in place. We'd managed avalanches, wildfires, medical emergencies with our guests. We'd helped many with travel troubles and dramatic personal issues. But nothing. Nothing. had prepared us for the sudden upheaval that Covid19 brought to our business, our guests, and our staff. 

Hearing you share your disappointment of weddings cancelled, family reunions postponed, long-dreamt-of trips delayed was an important part of our journey through the last months, and we are grateful that you shared your troubles with us.

Despite our usual cancelation policy, we were able to work with guests to find resolutions to most of the booking delimmas. Thank you, guests, for taking time to understand the needs of our home owners who have contractual cancelation policies in place to protect themselves from loss. And for recognizing that this pandemic is devastating to guests and owners alike.

Moving forward, we appreciate that making plans is still difficult when there continues to be so much uncertainty. As of today, Mammoth and Mono County are now open and we are committed to operating as safely as possible.

​Flexible policies to assist guests:

• If you book a future trip and your stay in our home is prohibited by the town of Mammoth, we will refund you fully or reschedule your stay if you choose.
• If you book with us and must cancel due to test-documented Covid illness but you are within your non-cancelation window, we will help you to reschedule your stay for a future date in 2020-21. Amount paid will be credited toward the future stay. (documentation of positive Covid test will be required)

If you have questions, feel free to contact Mary Beth by clicking on the "Chat with Us" message bubble on the lower right hand of this page. 

Things are changing minute by minute, but over the next few weeks we will keep updating this current list of restaurants that are open. If you find that the info is incorrect or needs updating, please let me know. 

Thank you for creating and updating this list, Mammoth Restaurants Open for Take Out & Delivery Facebook Group! You've made it easy for us to support small business in Mammoth!

I know. You can't wait to get back to the Eastern Sierra. You've been cooped up so long, and you want to make the most of your trip. But you're not sure what's safe, and what's not. You don't want to call a stranger out of the blue and schedule an activity not knowing if that person takes risk seriously.

That's why we've teamed up with local partners who we know and trust -- and who have had their re-opening plans vetted by the Mono County health department -- to offer you a curated menu of exclusive activities that you can book without worry.

We'll admit it, so far our list is pretty short -- fishing, and rock climbing. But as more and more activities open, we'll be adding to our list.

One of the biggest fears of the local community is that once we reopen, there will be a spike in Covid cases from guests traveling to Mammoth from Covid-19 concentrated areas.

A case spike could lead to pressure on Mammoth's very small health care resources, loss of health in the community, and a second shutdown of tourism until the spike can, again, be controlled.

In order to mitigate that risk to our community, we will be offering grocery shopping services for guests. The less often guests are in the market, the less likely we are to experience community spread of disease from local to guests, or from guests to locals.

It is always a good idea for guests to bring as many of their own supplies as possible but we are happy to help if you would like for us to shop and stock your fridge prior to arrival. There will be a small fee for this service to compensate our staff for their time.

Please note that as a part of our Covid Protocol, we will not be personally interacting with guests except in an emergency. For that reason, it is important that you notify us at least 3 days prior to check in with your complete shopping list so that we can purchase your items and stock the kitchen prior to your check in.

Because of the governor's stay-at-home order, the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County have restricted rentals at homes, hotels and campgrounds to non-essential persons through June 30. 

But 395 traffic data and traffic around town make it clear that many guests are choosing to visit the Eastern Sierra despite the lack of accommodation.  And why wouldn't you want to? Its a breathtaking escape and distant by nature.

If you do choose to visit the Eastern Sierra during this time, either as an essential traveler, a day-tripper, or a dispersed camper, it is important that you reduce risk of Covid exposure to yourself and others, follow local norms, and protect the land by following a few simple guidelines::

Times are tough. Work and other essential travel keeps the 395 busy with traffic but when you gotta 'go,' where do you go in the Covid-19 era?

I'll admit that as a mom of 4 boys, I've had to stop the car *many* times to let them do what all boys (that I've raised, anyway) love to do -- pee behind a bush.  We've been forced to do this more recently, when we were unable to find a developed bathroom because of Covid closures. 

Its also obvious from the bottles filled with urine that line the roadside that some travelers are irresponsibly tossing their plastic-covered waste onto the land. Please be respectful of our Eastern Sierra home. If you pee in a bottle, please dispose of it in a rubbish bin, not on the land. And particularly if you have to do 'big business' in the wild, be responsible and pack it out or handle it responsibly using a (very deep) cat hole.

To solve these issues as much as possible, here's our list of where you can 'go' along the 395. Have an update for me? Please contact me using the chat button at the bottom right of your screen. I'll keep updating this list!

Coso Junction Rest Area
Crestview Rest Area
Division Creek Rest Area

Carl's Jr in Bishop
Bishop park next to Amigo's restaurant

Fort Independence Gas Station & Casino
Pearsonville Shell & Subway

Bathrooms NOT Open
McDonald's in Lone Pine
Subway in Lone Pine

Dang. What day is it? For that matter, what month is it?

The struggle is real to come up with ways to describe our current situation because I have a long list of sayings that I would never like to hear -- much less use -- again:

• uncertain times
• the new normal
• unprecendented moment
• abundance of caution

But like most super-annoying, trite colloquialisms, these phrases are over-used because they are also accurate, and necessary.

So rather than blather on, I'll just leave this here: despite a frightening early peak of cases, Mammoth and Mono County stayed strong and they have crushed the curve.

Early on, Mammoth Mountain shut down operations and Mono County and Mammoth Lakes activated a Emergency Operations Center. They actively discouraged visitors (and even second home owners) from traveling in. Largely because of the adoption of fairly extreme distancing measures, the EOC had time to manage the local Covid-19 situation and increase healthcare capacity. 

As of today, no one is hospitalized for Covid 19 in Mono County. There have been 29 positive Covid-19 tests of 313 tests given.

Mammoth is now working toward a June 30 opening to visitors and we are also hoping to be allowed to host visitors soon. 

For the most up-to-date info about the situation in Mammoth, visit the Mono County Covid-19 portal.

Have we missed something? Please feel free to send us a message (use the chat function on the bottom right of the screen) if we've left anything out that you feel is important.

Wondering about town restrictions for masks and distancing? Check out our Trips for Travel article.

Wellness:

• We ask that guests self-assess for health and Covid-19 exposure prior to traveling. Click here to take our Covid-19 self-assessment.
• Our crew will also be directed to use the self-assessment prior to working and to stay home if they experience fever or symptoms of illness.

Staff and Guest Interaction:

• We will continue no-contact check-in/check-out by using keyless check-in and self check-out.
• We will continue no-contact on-line condo information guest guides -- providing you access to all the info for your stay in an online, digital, password protected website. (see Guest Guides using the Guest Guide menu)
• Housekeeping and/or maintenance will no longer enter homes while guests are present, except in an emergency. 
• If mid-stay emergency cleaning or maintenance are required, we will make every effort to perform those services while guests are not present. 
• If emergency direct interaction is required, our staff will be directed to wear a mask and gloves. We will ask guests to wear a mask and use 6 foot distancing during the interaction.

Supplies:

• We will leave a bottle of hand sanitizer for you as our gift. Please use it during your stay and take it with you when you leave.
• Kleenex and other paper goods will be replaced at each stay. Feel free to take opened/partially-used paper goods with you upon departure.
• There are many spices and staples in our kitchens which may have been used by other guests. If this is a concern for you, we encourage you not to use those items but to bring your own.
• There are games & books in our homes which may have been used by other guests. If this is a concern for you, we encourage you not to use those items but to bring your own.
• If you are concerned about using dishes and utensils from our kitchens, please feel free to bring your own. Please be cautious not to inadvertently take ours home, though.

Bedding:

• We will temporarily remove all throw pillows and other unnecessary bedding. Feel free to bring your own if you feel these are necessary for your stay.
• We will provide only the linen you need for your stay. If you will need additional bedding (for an air-up, rollaway, pack-n-play etc), please notify us at least 3 days prior to check in using the Special Request form we will send you a week prior to check in.
• As always, all bedding and toweling will be professionally laundered between stays.
• As always, mattresses and pillowcases will be covered in protective encasements.
• If you prefer to supply your own linen, we are happy to accommodate that. Please let us know at least 3 days prior to check-in using the Special Request form we will send a week prior to check in so that we can strip our linen prior to your arrival.
• We will provide bags for you to use to bag up your bedding and toweling at check out. This is for the protection of our cleaning crew. 

High Touch Items:

• Our hard-copy Adventure Refined Mammoth guides will be removed from condos. We will also remove all tourism information like maps and guides. Download a copy of our Mammoth Guide by clicking on the Welcome Book photo.
• As always, high-touch items will be disinfected between stays.
• We will provide our crew with a list of high-touch items and areas that require diligent cleaning.

Timing:

• When feasible, units will be left empty for 24-72 hours between guests.
• Natural airing & ventilation will be used to improve safety for guests and staff.
• When 24-72 hours downtime is not feasible, we will direct cleaning staff to wear N95 masks, gloves, and disposable gowns.

This self-assessment is based on USDA guidance that is being implemented with all forest service visitors -- including those in the Eastern Sierra.

​Please read through the self-assessment and if your answer is YES to any of these questions, please delay your trip to the Eastern Sierra. ​

1. Have you, someone living in your household, someone with you, someone you have been in close or frequent contact with, or someone you are caring for been diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) or had any contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?
2. In the last 14 days, have you, someone living in your household, or someone with you have been in close or frequent contact with, or someone you are caring for returned from, or made a travel connection through a CDC Level 2 or Level 3 country or State Department Level 3 or Level 4 country, for example, China, Korea, Japan, the European Union, Iran?
3. Do you currently have, or have you had within the last 24 hours, any cold or flu symptoms, including a fever greater than 100.4, shortness of breath, body aches and coughing?

For an update on the Covid situation in the Eastern Sierra, check out our Covid Portal Page.