Mono Lake Voyage Tips and guide

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Mono Lake is a massive lake that sits at over 6,000 feet (1,829 m) elevation in the Eastern Sierra region of California, just east of Yosemite National Park. There are no rivers or streams to drain the lake's waters, resulting in high saline (salt) concentrations. The lake is renowned for its scenic beauty, unusual tufa rock formations, and the estimated two million migratory birds that visit each year.

Starting in 1941 the streams that fed Mono Lake were diverted for use by the city of Los Angeles. With a yearly evaporation rate of 45 in (1,100 mm), the lake level quickly dropped, going from an elevation of 6,417 feet (1,956m) above sea level to a low point of 6,372 feet (1,942m) above sea level. The accompanying 31% loss of surface area and 50% loss of water volume had a devastating effect on the estimated two million birds that used the lake each year, as well as causing air quality problems due to the dust from the now-exposed lakebed. In 1994 a court ordered that the lake be returned to a level of 6,392 feet (1,948 m) above sea level.

The lake is believed to have formed 760,000 years ago, although it may be a remnant of a larger lake that formed 1-3 million years ago, thus making it one of the oldest lakes in North America. It is a saline lake with no outlets, fed solely by runoff from the surrounding mountains. One unusual feature of the lake is its many tufa rock formations. These rock towers form when underwater springs rich in calcium mix with the waters of the lake, which are rich in carbonates. The resulting reaction forms limestone. Over time the buildup of limestone forms a tower, and with the drop in lake level the towers have become exposed.

Mono Lake is a noted bird-watching destination. Brine shrimp and brine fly larva in the water and brine flies on the shorelines provide abundant food for hungry migrants that stop to refuel before moving on. Although Negit Island has become land-bridged (and thus accessible to predators) due to lake level decrease, the area's islands remain important breeding areas for birds. Approximately 85% of the state's population of California gulls cross the Sierras each year to breed here, as do a significant portion of the state's snowy plovers. In addition, between 1.5 to 2 million eared grebes use the lake during migration each year, as do 80,000 Wilson's phalaropes, 60,000 red-necked phalaropes, and nearly 80 other species of waterbirds.

The lake's food chain begins with algae that bloom in summer months. This algae becomes food for the 4-6 trillion brine shrimp that inhabit the lake, as well as the brine flies that gather on the shoreline. In summer months these flies rise up in black clouds when approached, although luckily they aren't biting insects and thus are not a nuisance to humans.

With little more than desert scrub in the basin, there is no shelter from the elements.

Winds routinely rip through the basin in all seasons. Choking alkali dust clouds can be lifted out of basin by the winds. Usually, the wind direction sends these clouds out to the east away from the most visited parts, but there's no guarantee that the direction won't change and provide you with a much more intimate opportunity to study the clouds firsthand.

In winter, snow occasionally covers the ground. Chains may be required to get around the basin, and are frequently required to cross the passes to get in and out of the region. State Route 120 is closed just west of US 395 all winter (and often all spring), and is closed east of the South Tufa area for much of the winter too.

In summer, if the wind stops suddenly, a cold day can suddenly turn into a scorcher.

37°59′48″N 119°1′46″W

Map of Mono Lake

The primary access to Mono Lake is provided by Highway 395, which runs north and south along the Eastern Sierra. During the summer months the lake can also be reached from Yosemite National Park using Highway 120 (Tioga Pass), but this route closes with the year's first snowfall and doesn't re-open until the following May or June.

There are no fees charged to visit Mono Lake.

• 37.9453-119.0361 Mono Lake Tufa SNR, ☏ +1 760-647-6331. The state reserve includes areas of the lake with the largest tufa towers. The section of the reserve located below the Mono County Park offers a boardwalk featuring interpretive information. Free, except for a $3 fee to visit the South Tufa area.  

Mono Lake can be a challenging environment for boaters - the high salt content of the lake, strong winds, and submerged rock formations combine to test the skills of boaters. Most boaters exit the lake by early afternoon to avoid the rough winds that are common. Due to the lake conditions, canoes and kayaks are the most popular types of craft for venturing out on the lake. Boaters should also be aware that from April 1 through August 1 the lake's islands are closed to protect nesting birds.

• Caldera Kayaks, ☏ +1-760-934-1691, [email protected]. Offers guided morning kayak tours during the summer leaving from Navy Beach. Call or write in advance to set up a trip. $70 per person for three or more people, $105 per person for two person tours. 

Naturalist-led walks are offered daily in the summer by the forest service, the state reserve staff, and the Mono Lake Committee. In addition, the Mono Lake Committee offers three-day seminars covering topics including geology, human history, and wildlife of the Mono Lake area.

Supplies and other necessities can be purchased in the town of Lee Vining. Gas is available year-round, but many establishments are open only during the summer season.

Restaurants and groceries can be found in Lee Vining.

Drinking water is available at the visitor centers. For stronger fare the town of Lee Vining has seasonal options.

Lodgings are available in the city of Lee Vining, some of which overlook the lake.

The following campgrounds are open only during the summer - check in advance for opening and closing dates as they vary with conditions.

• 38.0344-119.20651 Lundy Canyon Campground, Lundy Lake Road. 36 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. No drinking water available. Amenities include restrooms, non-potable water spigots, picnic benches, fire-rings, and bear lockers for food storage. Operated by Mono County. $8. (updated May 2015)
• 37.92871-119.152892 Lower Lee Vining (take SR120 west from US395). 60 sites available. No reservations. No drinking water available. Amenities include bear lockers for food storage and vault toilets. Operated by Inyo National Forest. $14. (updated May 2015)
• 37.93932-119.188233 Aspen Grove Campground, Poole Power Plant Road (take SR120 west from US395, then left onto Poole Power Plant Road). 56 sites available. First-come, first-served. Sites can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet in length. Amenities include drinking water, bear lockers for food storage and vault toilets. Operated by Inyo National Forest. $14, $5 for each additional vehicle. (updated May 2015)
• 37.9452-119.202294 Big Bend Campground (take SR120 west from US395, then left onto Poole Power Plant Road). Season varies, but generally open late-April to mid-October. 17 sites in a stand of trees next to the creek in Lee Vining canyon. No reservations. Vehicles up to 30 feet in length can be accommodated. Amenities include drinking water, bear lockers for food storage and vault toilets. Operated by Inyo National Forest. $21/night. (updated May 2015)

Since this is a preserve, no camping is permitted anywhere within the Mono Lake Natural Reserve. Dispersed camping is allowed in most areas above the lakebed within the State Scenic area.

• Lee Vining. Along the lake shore, this town offers services and information about the lake.
• Yosemite National Park. The Tioga Pass entrance to the park is just south of the lake, but is closed from the first snow until the roads can be cleared in the Spring (usually around May).