More than just a new front door, the gateway will announce to visitors that despite tough economic times, Mammoth is moving forward and investing in its future. The two monuments, designed for the ages, will welcome visitors and residents for 100 years.

Inspired by majestic Crystal Crag high above Lake Mary, the Gateway’s rugged and timeless design constructed of quarried granite blocks and massive raw steel conveys community pride, strength and a true sense of arrival.

“Welcome! This is where your Mammoth experience begins.”

“Wish You Were Here”

Visitors celebrating their arrival in Mammoth will send photos of the dramatic gateway with “Wish you were here!” messages to friends and family around the world, providing thousands of free marketing Mammoth moments!

Gateway Schedule

Design work, construction drawings and engineering has been completed for both the south and north Gateway monuments. These plans have been approved for a construction permit pending final paperwork on the transfer of property under the south monument and Forest Service approval for the north. Landscape plans are being completed for the water efficient demonstration garden surrounding the south Gateway monument.

As soon as the Town of Mammoth Lakes / Mono County paper work is done and the Forest Service approval is granted, construction will begin. The beginning of September is the new anticipated ground breaking date.

Existing Entrance Monument

We thank local contractor Mike Hoover for his vision in building the current Welcome to Mammoth monument sign. Mr. Hoover and the Mammoth Lakes Lion Club, the original USFS permit holder, have agreed to a “bigger and even better” replacement monument for the north side of the gateway entrance to Mammoth Lakes.

Private / Public / Volunteer Partnership

Mammoth Gateway is a private / public / volunteer partnership organized by longtime resident Elizabeth Tenney. The Project’s success depends solely on in-kind support and private funding through tax-deductible-donations to the 501(c)3 Mammoth Community Foundation.

Mono County is giving the land under the south monument to the Town of Mammoth Lakes. The Town of Mammoth Lakes has waived permit and processing fees. Mammoth Community Water District will landscape the gateway with a demonstration garden of native and drought-tolerant plants. Much of the design work, construction drawings, engineering and soils analysis was donated.

The Mammoth Lakes Town Council is a strong believer in a gateway for Mammoth and has shown its support by dedicating almost $370,000 of the Public Art Fund to the Mammoth Gateway Community Project. Public Art Fund money is not tax dollars or a part of the General Fund. It is money collected in the form of fees charged commercial developers when building permits are issued. It is money that can only be used for public art projects and the Town Council has seen the wisdom in supporting an art project that will have “Mammoth” impact.