![]() Mono Lake is situated in the Eastern Sierras near the town of Lee Vining. You’ll also great views across the lake of the Sierras: Mount Dana, Mount Gibbs, Tioga Peak, and Mount Lewis.Ī post shared by Makepeace Family Travel Where is Mono Lake? I think this was my favorite part of the trail. There are several stretches of beaches here that are colorful and picturesque with the tufas. I really enjoyed the dense tufa formations and outcrops here and those forming islands a little offshore. Keep walking on the trail to here!īe sure to loop around the trail, don’t double back to the paved section. The south shore trail has interpretive panels along the way sharing the geology and history associated with Mono Lake, Ca.Īfter 0.3 miles, the boardwalk section of the trail ends, and you walk on the soft sand at the lakes edge. As they are working to raise the water levels of Mono Lake (see below) I was grateful for the opportunity to explore them so closely. It was crazy to think if we had walked this trail in 1941, we would have been waist deep in the water. Our tour director, Derek, also perfectly described them as a cross between Yellowstone with its ethereal geothermal activity and Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos. The tufas reminded me of stalagmites and stalactites deep inside the earth’s caverns. It’s a one mile, flat and easy self-guided nature trail that starts at the parking lot. We went to the South Tufa Entrance to walk around exploring the limestone tufas of Mono Lake. So, I’m grateful I was still able to visit Mono Lake and see its beauty even though we didn’t kayak. Globus were very accommodating in ensuring we were able to have an outstanding experience in this Mammoth Lakes region despite this happening and it meant we also were able to experience the Brodie Ghost Town Choice Touring option, which I really loved. Unfortunately, we could not kayak due to an unforeseen event, but we got to walk around the South Tufa area and take in its mystical beauty. ![]() Of course, outdoor adventure and stunning areas of nature are my passions, so I loved how this tour was giving me that opportunity. This unique group tour feature allows travelers to tailor their tour to their own interests and passions. ![]() You have your big-ticket attractions on the tour, but also a selection of curated experiences in key and off-the-beaten-path destinations – included in the package price. One of the Choice Touring excursions our Northern California Globus tour was to kayak the lake.Ĭhoice Touring adds flexibility into a Globus tour. South Tufa Towers Loop Trail Enjoying the Loop Trail with my Globus friends This high salinity and alkalinity have not just created unique tufas, but a rare ecosystem, that includes green algae, alkali flies and more than 80 species of migratory boards and endemic species of brine shrimp. It is known for its uniquely shaped Tufas – columns and spires of solid calcium carbonate formed when freshwater springs met the alkaline water of the lakes.Īs the water levels of the lake receded these tufas arose out from the underwater world and now many sit on the shores for you to explore and gaze in wonder at. This is because Mono Lake has no outlet and only collects water where large quantities of salt accumulate.īut, it’s not actually DEAD, instead teeming with life. It’s 2.5 times saltier than the ocean and high in alkalinity. Mono Lake is known as the Dead Sea of California. What’s special about Mono Lake, California? Mono Lake TufasĪt over a million years old, Mono Lake is one of the oldest lakes in North America and has an average depth of 100ft. You can read more of this trip where I share why I loved the Globus group tour, and the main highlights from our Northern California trip. I joined the Globus Tour on a paid partnership project with iambassador and Globus Journeys. So, I was stoked that this unknown and otherworldly lake was on our Northern California itinerary. Going on a guided tour for the first time, I was concerned it would just be big ticket attractions and I’d miss those smaller wow moments that often end up being better. I’ve traveled so much that it can often be difficult to find things that WOW me. I love to go off-the-beaten path to pursue my curiosities and dive deeper into a region without the crowds. But as soon as I saw a kayak trip of Mono Lake, CA on the list of YourChoice Excursions, I hit the “ sign me up” button. Until organizing my Globus Journeys Northern California Dreaming Tour, I knew nothing about it. In the middle of the Eastern Sierras in California near Yosemite National Park, you’ll find the ancient and mystical Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve.
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