The tufas of Mono Lake
If you’re a Pink Floyd fan, you know Mono Lake. Perhaps not by name, but certainly by sight. It’s the location for the legendary Aubrey Powell “The Diver” photo (also called “Monosee”) from the inner sleeve of Wish You Were Here. Even if you’re not a Pink Floyd fan, you might have come across this photo, where a pair of legs are sticking out of perfectly still water near alien-looking rock formations. The whole thing is surreal in that way that Powell and the company he co-founded, Hipgnosis, was so skilled at creating.
Mono is a saline soda in an endorheic basin, which is to say, it’s extremely alkaline and its water doesn’t flow anywhere else. It’s located halfway up the far less visited, less famous, eastern side of California, between Yosemite National Park and the Nevada border. Surrounded by mountains, it would be a stunning location even if there wasn’t anything otherwise special about the lake. But there is something special: Tufas. These iconic limestone structures are one of the lake’s main attractions.
Whether you’re headed there as a destination, or wanting to pass through on your way north, south, or perhaps through Yosemite, Mono Lake and the entire Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve area is a stunning place to visit. Here are a few things to know before you go.
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The weather might not be what you think
The limestone tufas of Mono Lake.
While most of California is known for its mild winters, Mono Lake is at 6,400 feet. Several of the nearby mountains have ski resorts. Which is to say, it’s colder for more of the year than the coastal cities. There’s a good chance for snow too. Even the summers are milder than you might expect, especially given its proximity to Death Valley and the deserts of Nevada.
Stop at the visitor center in Lee Vining
The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center in the town of Lee Vining has some great info about the lake and area. Rangers there can also help you plan your visit, let you know about any closed trails or other info. It’s closed in the winter, however.
Hike around the tufas
Tufas
It’s easy to hike around the tufas. One of the best, and easily accessible spots, is Mono Lake Navy Beach Viewpoint.
Other hikes
You might make some new friends.
Hike up the Panum Crater, an ancient volcanic cone, or hike to Black Point for a great view of the lake from the north. For the best options for the time of year you’re visiting, ask the rangers at the visitor’s center.
Beware the roads
The road from Mono Lake Navy Beach Viewpoint and Panum Crater.
Even in the late spring many roads could be closed if the winter weather was especially intense.
Yosemite adjacent (maybe)
Somewhere over those mountains is Yosemite National Park.
Technically, the Tioga Pass Entrance Station, the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park is just outside of Lee Vining. However, it typically opens in June and closes again in the autumn. Alternately, you could cross over via State Route 108 which might be open earlier in the year. It’s a stunning drive in itself, but it’s a serious climb (to nearly 10,000 feet!) and I wouldn’t attempt it in an RV or towing a trailer unless you’re very confident in its abilities.
In or close to the winter might require going even further north, perhaps all the way up to Interstate 80, or south to the desert, to get over the mountains.
Bodie
The abandoned ghost town of Bodie is just north of the lake. However, it’s a bit of a drive to get there. Depending how intense the winter was, the road might not be open, could have suffered damage, and so on. Check with the visitor’s center before you try to go.
June Lake
The night sky over June Lake.
There are hotels in Lee Vining, but there are also campsites and more lodging in nearby June Lake, itself nestled in among the mountains. Make sure you head there via State Route 158 (if it’s open) for an amazing drive.
It’s not that far from Death Valley
The Milky Way, which is slightly farther away than Mono Lake.
Well, “not far” is certainly relative, considering the size of the state. Figure about 3.5 hours from inside the park to the town of Lee Vining. However, U.S. Route 395 weaves its way among the hills and through the valleys on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas, making for a gorgeous drive.
Manzanar
If you’re coming from Southern California, or headed there after, consider stopping at Manzanar for a look at one of the darkest moments in US history.
Mono Lake
