Airport of the Week: KMMH - Where Density Altitude Meets Mountain Mischief

This week I picked KMMH - Mammoth Yosemite Airport because it perfectly blends “bucket-list destination” with “respect the atmosphere.” Perched at 7,135 feet in the Eastern Sierra near Mammoth Lakes, California, this airport is what I'd call a masterclass in respecting the atmosphere.

This airfield started life as a WWII auxiliary strip. After the war, the county took it over as Long Valley Field, and the modern town-owned airport grew from there. Today it supports GA year-round and a small seasonal airline link for skiers.

What makes KMMH special

KMMH is a high-elevation gateway to Mammoth Mountain, the Lakes Basin, Devils Postpile, and even the east side of Yosemite. It’s the kind of field where your plan, your performance chart, and your weather brief all matter in equal measure.

On the ramp you’ll find Hot Creek Aviation, a friendly full-service FBO with 100LL and Jet A, parking, hangars, lounge, rental cars, and oxygen service. If you’re planning a fuel stop or an overnight, check their current hours and prices before you take off for KMMH.

The weather story (and why PaperMETAR fans should care)

Like KL35 - Big Bear Airport that I previously covered, this is classic “DA trap” country. In summer and on warm fall days, density altitude climbs into the 9-10k ft range easily, which can turn a routine takeoff into a lumbering departure with poor climb. In winter the issue flips to snow, visibility, and crosswinds, sometimes closing or slowing operations while crews plow. The town’s winter ops plan prioritizes the runway and Taxiway A with estimated 1.5 hours to clear the first inch on priority surfaces, then several hours for the rest, with full clean-up taking days after a big storm. Plan your alternates and your timing. 

Then there’s the Sierra engine: strong westerlies over the crest can set up mountain waves and violent rotors that spill into Owens Valley and over Mammoth. Forecast winds at mountaintop height above 20-25 knots, especially perpendicular to the range, are classic wave ingredients. Pilots who fly this region talk about timing departures early, staying on the windward side of ridges when possible, and never underestimating rotor.

Diversions to neighboring Bishop (KBIH) happen, including for scheduled flights, because Bishop sits lower (~4,120 ft MSL) with two >5,500' runways and one 7,498’ runway. It often offers friendlier wind and visibility.

KMMH is a stunningly beautiful airport, but it's a thinking pilot's airport. It's one of those places that demands absolute respect for the weather.

Nice Approach and Landing Video

I love it when I find good videos covering these airports. Here is a great video by Virtual Wings Aviator showing the winter approach and landing into KMMH in a Cessna 182. The video has some awesome views!

There is even a video of a C17 taking off form this strip.