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Mammoth Is Interesting

The "Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center," a long envisioned project for the 11,053-foot top of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, will open March 17 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., ski area officials announced on Tuesday.

The exhibit, located inside the Panorama Gondola Building, is a $1.5 million educational exhibit focusing on the Eastern Sierra's history, geology, weather and heritage.

The center features five displays with facts about local geology, hydrology and the volcanic history of Mammoth Mountain, the Long Valley Caldera and more.

Food service also will be available at the top of the mountain. The Top of the Sierra Café will be open daily from 10:30-2:30 and will offer hot soups, sandwiches, grab-and-go salads, soft drinks and snacks. Seating for 70 people is available in the upstairs and downstairs areas of Panorama Lookout Station. The area is also available for private receptions.

To get there, one must have a lift ticket.

It is situated at the top of Panorama Gondola building at the summit of Mammoth Mountain, it's the first interpretive center of its kind at 11,053 feet.

The creation of the interpretive center, long talked about, drew praise last year from David Hill of the U.S. Geological Survey. Hill is the USGS scientist in charge of the Long Valley observatory

"The Top of the Sierra Interpretative Center will provide a spectacular platform for visitors to gain insight into the broad spectrum of natural processes that have shaped and continue to shape the majesty of the Eastern Sierra," he said.

Over six years of research and project planning, plus more than $1 million, was invested for the initial opening of the facility, according to a press release distributed by Mammoth Mountain Ski Area spokesperson Dana VanderHouwen last year.

Content for the center was drawn from a coalition of entities that includes the USGS, U.S. Forest Service, Paiute Tribal Council and local environmental organizations.

"We're not only creating a fun and interesting destination for our guests from out of town to visit," ski are vice-President Pam Murphy said last year, "but we're also giving the community a place to learn about their surroundings."

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