Precisely How To Discover Mono Lake Tufas (& Get Stunning Photographs!)

Who else has been dreaming of a go to to Mono Lake to see the fantastical tufas up shut and private?

Whereas up catching fall foliage in June Lake and the Japanese Sierras a number of weeks in the past with my bestie Justine, we wished to do a dawn photoshoot at Mono Lake Tufa State Pure Reserve.

We walked away with wonderful photographs, stunning reminiscences and tons of tricks to share for you!

Oh, and for those who’re like me you might be most likely considering “I do know tufas are fairly however like… what are they precisely?”

Tufas are rock towers made when underground sources of calcium-dense water percolate up by means of mineral springs and volcanic vents to combine with the carbonate-rich lake water of Mono Lake.

And no, earlier than you get forward of your self: there’s no large mineral scorching springs swimming pools to soak in on the shores of Mono Lake (that I do know of in any case) however head to close by Bridgeport for a number of nice ones if that’s your factor.

Necessary: Do NOT Step Or Sit On The Mono Lake Tufa Towers!

Regardless of many indicators across the park, I noticed no less than 2 nature photographers step on and stroll over components of the tufas and one even climbed up onto a tufa cluster.

Be VERY conscious of the place you step. There are clear sandy footpaths you need to attempt to keep on with. Stroll round a Tufa Tower to get to the opposite facet as an alternative of climbing over the rocky base and all the time step on these footpaths (they’re straightforward to see and for probably the most half, can take you wherever you could go to get an awesome picture).

It’s your job as a customer to verify the Mono Lake tufa formations keep wholesome for generations to return. I do know lots of people wish to hate on “influencers” who go into the wild, however the worst offenders I noticed had been nature photographers with their tripods who didn’t care in the event that they had been harming the character they had been attempting to seize.

Keep in mind – this lake is over 1 million years previous and your picture just isn’t wherever near being extra vital than this historical formation.

Okay, rant over!!

Precisely How To Discover Mono Lake Tufas (& Get Stunning Photographs!)

Now, let’s chat the place to see these dangerous boys.

Head To Mono Lake South Tufa Space

Arguably the perfect space is to see enormous clusters of tufas that appear to be they’re out of an alien planet or one thing is the South Tufa Space.

This part has a whole lot of tufa clusters and a killer view of the mountains that’s illuminated throughout dawn. Throughout our go to we noticed the entire valley, water and sky flip pink for a couple of minutes, too, it was stunning.

Park within the lot and be sure to have already got a California State Parks move prepared on your sprint, as there isn’t a ticketed gate.

Search for the Mono Lake Boardwalk to get entry to the waterfront.

From right here, dangle a proper and head into the towers that appear to be that one scene from Neverending Story. I feel that is the perfect path for photographs because it has probably the most numerous and sturdy tufa towers.

It’s not an uphill stroll, however it is going to take about 15-20 minutes to stroll from the parking zone to your closing level so maintain that in thoughts if you’re coming for dawn photographs.

Professional-tip: look ahead to wildlife when driving to the park! On our highway journey, we sadly hit a bunny as we drove to the lake (it did that factor the place it jumped out in entrance of our automobile out of the blue and we couldn’t break in time) Be taught from our lesson and drive additional additional gradual if you’re visiting for dawn.

We got here for dawn on a weekend and had no less than 30 different photographers to work round. Some the place very nice and shared areas, some had been impolite and would stroll proper into different folks’s shot. 

So, for those who’re coming for dawn, be good to different folks. In case you’re simply coming as a customer, you don’t have to return for dawn (although I feel it’s insanely stunning watching this panorama rework!)

Mono Lake County Park

One other space to see tufas is the Mono Lake County Park, which is extra on the North facet of the lake. There’s not as many right here because the South, however most photographers head to the South space so you might have this extra to your self within the mornings.

This space of the lake has extra timber and a inexperienced park really feel vs South Lake which is all rocks and brush. 

Outdated Marina

Lastly, there’s the Outdated Marina space which I’ve internet but been to, however has a number of tufa areas to see! 

Professional-tip: There’s the Mono Basin Nationwide Forest Scenic Space Customer Heart in Lee Vining if you could chat with an area on something particular. We didn’t go to the Mono Lake Customer Heart on this go to, however I really like leaning on the customer facilities in parks to assist me safely navigate.

Can You Swim In Mono Lake?

We visited in October so the chilly climate meant Mono Lake swimming wasn’t one thing I wished to do (I imply, I really like alpine lake swims however I had fall leaves to go search out!)

In response to on-line boards, you may swim in choose areas alongside the lake. I simply went to Utah and visited the Nice Salt Lake. Didn’t swim in that both, however Mono Lake can also be actually salty which suggests you’ll be actually buoyant for those who go swimming!

However you may not wish to. It’s a salty lake and may entice brine shrimp and furry alkali flies on the shores. They don’t chunk however they’re like, not cute to be round. For more information, the Mono Lake Committee has an awesome webpage with assets. 

If you’re eager to get out on the water, strive kayaking Mono Lake as an alternative!! There’s an area firm that specials in excursions and self-guided paddles within the Lee Vining space.

We simply caught with the dawn prancing concerning the tufas. As all the time, we labored up an enormous urge for food and headed to Latte Da Cafe in Lee Vining for breakfast. 

This place is lovable you guys! They’ve a cute again yard space and makes a few of the greatest breakfast sandwiches I’ve had in yr. I grabbed one with sundried tomatoes and fortunately sat in these purple chairs to take in the morning solar. 

When you’ve got additional time, you need to swing by the well-known Upside-Down Home (above) that’s actually an upside-down home. It’s so random and enjoyable. It’s simply on the sting of city. 

I really like Mono County, particularly within the fall and winter. Relying on site visitors, we wish to swing again by means of Yosemite Nationwide Park on the way in which residence to San Francisco.

Or, for those who like scorching springs, take a look at close by Travertine Sizzling Springs and Buckeye Sizzling Springs for a bit of post-sunrise soak! The latter is correct by a bit of creek for chilly plunging and it’s wonderful.

I hope you’ve a incredible journey to Mono Lake like we did!! I discover myself up in Mono County each 1-2 years and I can’t wait to cease by once more to see these stunning tufas.