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Mono Lake is one of the really great things to see
in the Eastern Sierra. Start your visit at the Visitors
Information Building — but be sure to drive down,
park at the lake, and walk around. The tufa formations,
trillions of visible shrimp floating through the lake,
and the hordes of tiny flies at waters' edge, feeding
on the shrimp (the flies don't bother people, they mass
on the ground at waters' edge) are very memorable. Mono
Lake is one of the few places the California Gull reproduces
— safely protected on the mid-lake islands (as
the water dropped, the islands became connected to the
shore, allowing predators easy access to breeding and
young gulls. The higher water level put an end to that
for all except the coyotes who own boats).
Just a few of the activities you can participate in
at Mono Lake include swimming, kayaking, birdwatching,
and simply taking in the magnificent sights by walking
the many trails. The very high salt concentration makes
for an interesting and bouyant experience, should you
choose to take a swim. Of course, the water can be very
cold, so you won't do it for long. For something really
fun, rent a kayak and paddle the lake. A major stopover
on the pacific flyway, Mono Lake hosts over 98 species
of water birds and in 1991 was dedicated as an International
Shorebird Reserve. The diversity of habitats in the
surrounding area creates a wide range of birding opportunities.
Visit Mono Lake in the summer and fall for the best
birdwatching available.
Location
Mono Lake is on Highway 395, and adjacent to Lee Vining.
You can see it from Mammoth Mountain and Tioga Pass
as you come down. Mileages from Mono Lake:
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Death Valley — 232 miles
Mammoth — 30 miles
Yosemite Valley — 81 miles
Los Angeles — 336 miles
San Francisco — 292 miles
Virginia City, Nevada — 118 miles
Reno, Nevada — 135 miles
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Former Park Ranger David Carle knows Mono Lake probably
better than anyone, and over the years he has written
a lot about it. He has graciously allowed us to include
his writings:
The Mono Lake Environment
Take A Tour: An Overview From A
Ranger Guide
Strange Water - Mono Lake Gourmet:
An Unusual Recipe
Tufa Thoughts: Scenic Limestone Towers
Mysterious Tufa Towers: Hercule
Poirot Explains All
Flies Of Fancy: Alkali Flies
The Once And Future Shrimp: Brine
Shrimp
A Star Is Born: California Gulls
The Phalarope: A Shorebird Global
Traveler
Mystery Of The Red-Eyed Bird: A Million
Eared Grebes
Book Review: Mono Lake Viewpoint
Visiting The Lake
Swimming In Mono Lake: A Unique
Experience
Ski Mono Lake?
Happy Quiet: Winter Wonders
The Water Issue
An Overview And Update Of Current
Status
Thanksgiving Day, 2014: Twenty
Years Later At Mono Lake
Drain It And Pave It
It Ain't Over 'til The Fat Bird
Sings
Ouzel Omens: Stream Restoration
Efforts
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