PREVWith a world-class ski resort (Mammoth Mountain Ski Area) and the second-largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 (John Muir and others) off the back porch, Mammoth Lakes (pop. 7,392) was a serious contender in our "overall" category. But the city was (re)born to run: In 2001, when Team Running USA, an Olympic training group for long-distance runners, wanted to bring U.S. distance running back to its former glory, they chose Mammoth Lakes as their HQ—and later renamed themselves Mammoth Track Club.
Twin Lakes, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Photo: Wikipedia
