If Tahoe is the gem of the Western Sierras
then Mono Lake is the jewel of the Eastern Sierras. Every year since the
mid 90's the lake has been slowly refilling. The reason for this is that
restrictions were put into effect for water usage. Mono Lake is over
700,000 years old. An interesting geological note is that the mountains
just north of Mono Lake are about 11 million years old. However, the
Mono Craters, which lie just to the south are the youngest mountain
range in North America. Part of this mountain range formed from craters
erupting as little as 600 years ago.
Mono Lake is a salt lake. It is too concentrated for fish, but there are
millions of brine shrimp that live in its waters. Mono Lake is also
known for its spectacular tufa formations, which are spires of rock that
formed from deposits of calcium carbonate. As the lake level climbs, the
tufa will slowly be consumed by the waters of Mono Lake. The best place
to see tufa is from the trail at South Tufa, located on the southern
part of the lake. There is a turnoff for this trailhead from the 395. As
you walk this trailhead pay attention to the signs indicated where the
lake levels were between the 1940's and 70's. You will see that the lake
was substantially higher then, and as a result, all the tufa would have
been covered by water.
One neat phenomenon is the millions of flies that gather around the
water's edge. Sometimes there are so many that the edge is literally
black with flies. I have watched birds walk along trying to peck at the
flies, and there are huge clouds of black that arise in front of the
bird.
At sunset this is a beautiful location for photography. Often you will
see photographers huddled next to the water's edge.
The Mono Lake visitors center is located 1 mile north of Lee Vining.
This is a great place to get panoramic views of the lake. The visitor
centers contains a small FREE museum and a gift shop with Mono Lake
collectables, maps and guides. Be sure to look up at the many mud
swallow nests on the outside of the visitor center facing the lake. Mono
Lake is the home to millions of migratory birds.
The visitor center is open 9am to 5pm April 1 through Labor Day and from
9am to 4pm the rest of the year. For more information about Mono Lake
you can call PHONE NUMBER (760) 647-3044.
There is also a very nice grassy park on Mono Lake's northern side, just
off the 395 on a small paved road, several hundred meters down from the
395. This park has a boardwalk which you can walk to the shores of Mono
Lake, but access is restricted to only the boardwalk. Great site for a
picnic on a warm spring or summer day.
The essential must visit site about Mono Lake is:
www.monolake.org
