Important point of information: Rock Creek Lodge is NOT in Mammoth Lakes, which is about a 30 minute drive north. That said, it IS located in Little Lakes Valley (turn west off Hwy. 395 at Toms Place), a spectacular alpine area with pristine Rock Creek running the length of it. The Valley opens as you travel up the road and ends about 4-5 miles (perhaps more) off Hwy. 395 nestled around 10,000 feet with soul-satisfying views of the eastern Sierras and wonderful hiking. I don't fish but do note that the anglers look happy. It is more remote than Mammoth.
We've stayed twice at Rock Creek Lodge, most recently in June, 2007, in a small "modern" cabin. The accommodations were modest, one small sleeping room with a wood stove, small kitchen with the basics, and a marginal bathroom with toilet, sink, tiny shower, and a soft spot in the floor that was tough to avoid. Lighting was a bare bulb with pull chain.
A previous stay was in a rustic cabin, across the road from the toilet, and a short walk from the shower room.
We ate all our dinners in the Lodge dining room during our most recent stay and were pleased with fairly sophisticated fare and equally good desserts. It was a real highlight after a day outdoors.
To avoid disappointment, Rock Creek Lodge is not a place to go if you have high expectations or measure value against other establishments. It is rustic and basic. What you get is a central location nestled into God's pocket. Walk a short distance from any cabin up the valley and you're in a lush meadow surrounded by granite peaks. Or just settle down next to Rock Creek, which runs through the property, and take in an achingly satisfying piece of nature.
It's not a budget location, but as a year round operation in a national forest, some distance from anywhere, I would guess that it's not easy to make a profit. My main quibble is that they charge $15 per day for dogs. Since guests are expected to clean up after them, which we always do, and sweep up before leaving, it seems like a gouge for the privilege of simply having the dog along.
Little Lakes Valley/Rock Creek has camping, there is another (summer only, no dogs) lodging operation, and one or two companies will rent and deliver trailers. But if you want a clean bed, a roof over your head, a little protection from cold nights, and to bring along the pooch, this is just about the only game around. It's the location that's the draw and in my humble opinion the area is incomparable.
- Rock Creek Hotel
