June Lake is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Mono County, California, United States.

[4] The majority of the developed community is spread narrowly along a five-mile stretch of California State Route 158,[5] known as the June Lake Loop Road, or in the populated areas, Boulder Drive.

[8] The June Lake Loop is situated against the west rim of the Great Basin and Range Province, abutting the steep eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada.

One notable geologic feature is the perched boulder, a glacial erratic next to the June Lake Fire Station.

[5] Down canyon and closer to the dramatic eastern scarp of the Sierra Nevada are the Petersen, Williams, and Clark tracts, then directly at the base of Carson Peak are the Dream Mountain and Silver Lake Meadow areas as well as the Rush Creek Power House.

These "down canyon" areas are primarily single-family residential although several commercial nodes exist containing retail, lodging, dining and other services.

At the northern junction of the Loop road with U.S. Highway 395 is the Cain Ranch, on property owned by the City of Los Angeles.

[12] The Lodge was to be operated in conjunction with a fish hatchery and fox farm, and included fifty rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a large four-sided fireplace in the lobby.

Due to a larger volume of travel on Highway 395 a land lease permit was issued to the Carrington family so that they could create a service station with a repair shop and lunch room at the June Lake Junction.

The school was run out of Fern Creek Lodge and the first teacher Mrs. Romana Power earned $1500.00 for a year.

[13] During this period, automobile touring had become quite fashionable, and with the completion of the Tioga Pass Road, June Lake became a popular destination and way point for those traveling between Yosemite and Southern California.

Names such as Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Betty Grable, Sally Rand, Marx Brothers and others graced the guest register at the June Lake Lodge.

Subsequently, film director Frank Capra and cartoonist Walter Lantz also had cabins at Silver Lake, and their families continue to visit.

[14] The Loop's population swelled appreciably during those years, as a temporary company-town settlement was developed at the East Portal of the tunnel, about two miles from Grant Lake.

Most of the supervisors, private contractors, foremen, and City specialists for the aqueduct project found lodging in June Lake.

Glen Colton's "Tiger" Bar was established in 1932 and still holds one of the State of California's two longest standing alcoholic beverage licenses.

Participants started near the Fish Hatchery, hiking to the top of 10,866 foot Carson Peak and skiing back down.

The ski lift was powered by a small private hydroelectric plant on Fern Creek, as no commercial electricity was yet available.

Prior to that time oil lanterns were used, and refrigeration was accomplished by sawing blocks of ice from the surface of June Lake during winter, storing them for future use in a large ice house located on shore next to the boat landings.The ski area had been unable to survive during the WWII years, but in late 1958 the Forest Service announced its intention to offer a permit for a new ski area at June Mountain.

[17] W.C. "Bud" Hayward obtained the use permit and built a full-service ski area with a double chairlift and T-Bar, which opened in February 1961.

The community of June Lake retained its commercial vitality through the 1970s, with the addition of a banking branch, hardware and paint store, welder, auto body repair, art and pottery galleries, and more.

Since that time however, there has been a steady economic decline marked by the growth and boom of the nearby Town of Mammoth Lakes, which drew most of the commercial activities away from its outlying communities.

[5] June Lake's chief industry is tourism, with lodging and vacation rentals ranging from cottages and cabins to motels and full-service resorts.

In addition to its 500+ acres of ride able terrain for all abilities and types of skiers and snowboarders, the ski resort features a commanding view of the lakes below and the entire Mono Basin.

Local jobs are generally service or retail related, although there are some contractors including builders, electricians and plumbers.

Historically, June Lake's summer residents have comprised a vital and active part of community life.

Because the community is built on hills and meadows in this subalpine valley surrounded by high mountain peaks, it has been dubbed the "Switzerland of California.

[20] The Frontier Pack Train at Silver Lake offers equestrian day rides, as well as backcountry trips.

[19] In Autumn, an abundance of aspen groves change from green to gold and red hues as winter approaches.

[8] The water supply is based on diversion rights, split between the Village and Down Canyon areas of June Lake, totaling approximately 1,116,000 U.S. gallons (4,220,000 L) per day.