Mammoth Lakes in Mono County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

McGee Mountain Rope Tow #34

Photographed by Karen Key, August 25, 2007

1. McGee Mountain Rope Tow #34 Marker

Inscription. The first permanent rope tow in the Eastern Sierra was built west of this site on the east slope of McGee Mountain. This predecessor of Mammoth Mountain ski area was constructed here in 1938 because of its dependable snow and nearness to a highway. Prior to this facility most down hill skiing was done by use of a portable rope tow system (a working gasoline engine, rope, and pullies.) Dave McCoy—world class skier, entrepreneur, and visionary, was instrumental in organizing and promoting skiing here. The success of this rope tow motivated McCoy to move in 1941 to Mammoth Mountain. Subsequently, within a few years, the popularity of skiing here declined and this rope tow was abandoned. Some remnants of that first rope tow can still be seen today along the slopes of McGee Mountain.

Dedicated September 14, 1996
Bodie Chapter No. 64
E Clampus Vitus

Erected 1996 by Bodie Chapter No. 64 E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 1878.

Location. 37° 35.451′ N, 118° 47.537′ W. Marker is in Mammoth Lakes, California, in Mono County

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. It is on Crowley Lake Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mammoth Lakes CA 93546, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Crowley Lake (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named Crowley Lake (approx. 2½ miles away); Tragedy at Convict Lake (approx. 3.3 miles away); Convict Lake (approx. 3.3 miles away); Casa Diablo (approx. 7.6 miles away); Margaret & Emmett Hayden Cabin (approx. 9.8 miles away); Temple of Folly (approx. 9.8 miles away); Old Mammoth Saloon (approx. 10 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mammoth Lakes.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Crowley Lake (was approx. 2.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Additional commentary.
1. I lived in the "lodge"
My Mom worked at Mammoth Mountain, I worked there "on leave" from the US Navy in 1961 and 1962. Was a "Ski Patrolman/Ski Instructor", in 1961 and "rope tow operator". We only had 1 rope tow then. It was a boatload of fun. We lived in the original ski lodge that Dave's Dad built. Didn't know it was going to be a monument. Would have taken more pictures. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

Photographed by Karen Key, August 25, 2007

2. McGee Mountain Rope Tow #34 Marker

— Submitted April 26, 2010.

2. Original Rope Tow Lodge
My mother and father lived in the lodge from around 1968 until my father retired from Mammoth Mountain, where he ran the old and new maintenance shops. Dave and Roma were very close friends of my parents. Dave was a very exceptional and generous person. I am honored to have called him my friend also for many years.

I also worked at Mammoth running the night cat crew when Roger S. was running the day crew.

I was in the old lodge taking down glassware when a major earthquake struck and huge boulders came down off McGee and one the size of a car landed about 25 ft from the kitchen window. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted May 10, 2025, by Jay Reese of Ashland, Oregon.

Photographed by Karen Key, August 25, 2007

3. McGee Mountain Rope Tow #34 Marker

Photographed by Karen Key, August 25, 2007

4. McGee Mountain Rope Tow #34 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 14, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 7,610 times since then and 166 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 14, 2007, by Karen Key of Sacramento, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.