Summer Safety

The hidden secret of Mammoth Lakes is that the summers are equally breathtaking, but less crowded, than the winters. And unlike winter, when activities are limited to the Mountain, in summers the lakes, hills, trails, waterfalls, and mountain all offer unlimited adventure. Whether you came to Sonenalp to fish, hike, bike, run, climb or just hang out, there are a few considerations to keep you safe while you take on Adventure, Refined.

Altitude & Climate
Avoid sunburn and eye damage
Our thin atmosphere filters out only a minimum of the sun’s ultraviolet (“UV”) rays which makes us especially vulnerable to severe sunburn and eye damage.
  • Protect your skin. Parents should be especially careful with young children, and apply a generous amount of sunscreen prior to any outdoor activities. Use a  minimum 30 SPF sunscreen and reapply often, especially if you are sweating or in the water.
  • It is important to use proper UV protection for your eyes. The surface of the dirt or water can act as a reflector of UV rays and can generate a great deal of UV exposure to the eyes. Use UV safe sunglasses or goggles for your children and yourself. Wind and blowing dust can wreak havoc on sensitive eyes so make sure to have protection even when the weather seems calm.
Keep warm
There's an old saying in Mammoth: "If you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes...it's sure to change." Even in summer, the weather can change quickly, leading to overheating or even hypothermia.
  • Layer your clothes, no matter what the season. A t-shirt, wool sweater, nylon windbreaker with hood and a bottle of water are basics for just about any summer activity. 
  • Children are not always aware that they are becoming too cold. Parents should watch for red noses and red ears. If this occurs, remove wet clothes and warm the child and affected areas immediately.
  • Take frequent breaks from the cold or heat.

Thunderstorms and Lightening
The weather is very unpredictable in the Sierras; in summer thunderstorms, wind events and even snowstorms are common and often blow in unexpectedly. Seek shelter when you see a storm developing. Keep off ridge tops and stay clear of lift houses, lift towers, power lines, open ski runs, the tall trees, fences and signposts.
Lightning: What You Need to Know
- NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area.
- If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
-When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter.
- Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips
If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:
- Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks
- Never lie flat on the ground
- Never shelter under an isolated tree
- Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter
- Immediately get out and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water
- Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)