Mono Lake Mono Lake is one of the oldest lakes in the western hemisphere, it is hauntingly beautiful, an immense inland sea it fills a natural basin approximately 695 square miles in size. Mono Lake sets in a large desert basin and provides a habitat for millions of migratory and nesting birds. It is a terminal lake, all of the water entering the lake leaves only by evaporation. As water evaporates, it leaves behind chemicals that have become more concentrated over the millennia.

As a result, the water of Mono Lake became twice as salty as sea water. It is distinctively unique with the many tufa towers, gulls, grebes, brine shrimp, alkali flies, freshwater streams, and alkaline waters. The lake produces multitudes of brine shrimp, a species of brine shrimp found nowhere else in the world. The huge shrimp population provides a feast for the migratory birds. The brine shrimp population dies off as the lake cools in the winter. The water is so alkaline that it does not support any fish populations.

Tufa formations are created in a variety of ways at Mono Lake. The most visible formations are the towers that line much of the shoreline. The greatest concentration of these towers is located at the South Tufa grove just off of Hwy 120, at the south end of Mono Lake. Tufa is primarily limestone that is formed as the underwater springs force calcium rich water into the lake. The towers are developed underwater, thus the ones you see are a result of the receding lake level.

Mono Area Walks and Hikes

Mono County Park
Located five miles north of Lee Vining, turn right on Cemetery Road. The trailhead is located in the County Park 1/2 mile east. From the boardwalk to tufa and lake area is approximately 1/4 mile.

Old Marina Area
Located one mile north of Lee Vining on the east side of U.S. 395. Boardwalk to tufa and lake area is approximately 1/4 mile.

Lee Vining Creek Nature Trail
Located at the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center Approximately 1 mile.

South Tufa Area
Located 5 miles south of Lee Vining then 5 miles east on Hwy 120. Travel north on a dirt road to the parking area. This is a nature walk to the tufa and Mono Lake and a good bird viewing area.

Panum Crater
Travel 5 miles south of Lee Vining on U.S. 395, then 3 miles east on Hwy. 120. This is a nature walk to a volcanic dome.