California’s Eastern Sierra made Lonely Planet’s list of the “Top 10 US Destinations for 2013″ this week! We here at the Mono Lake Committee agree wholeheartedly.

South Tufa at Mono Lake. Photo by John Lemieux.

Lonely Planet recommends including Mono Lake, Bodie State Historic Park, and Devils Postpile National Monument in your Eastern Sierra itinerary. If you are already dreaming about next summer’s vacation, read up on all the things to do at Mono Lake. You can also give us a call for our recommendations: (760) 647-6595.

The Mono Lake Committee’s 2012 Annual Report is hot off the press and available to view online!

Read about the 2011 projects and activities in our focus areas of protection, stream restoration, education, and scientific research. View the Committee’s financial  (more…)

Did you know there are two ways to benefit Mono Lake when you shop online? You can visit the Committee’s online bookstore to find your favorite exclusive Mono Lake merchandise. You can also use the link here to contribute 5% of your Amazon purchases toward Mono Lake’s protection. Pretty cool, right?

Stop by the Committee’s online bookstore to find things like steel Mono Lake pint cups, the 2013 Mono Lake Calendar, and reusable gift wrap handmade by a Committee staffer who lives right by the shores of Mono Lake. You can’t get any of those things on Amazon.

However, we recognize that you can’t get things like digital SLR cameras, organic mac ‘n’ cheese, or car floor mats at the Committee store. But you can still benefit Mono Lake when you shop for those things on Amazon—just use the “shop for Mono Lake” link here every time.

Happy shopping, and long live Mono Lake!

Winter at Mono Lake: a lifting morning poconip fog, tufa towers jacketed in snow and reflected in the mirror of the lake’s surface, ice sculpting crystalline filigree along creek and lake banks.

This photography seminar will be based in Lee Vining and will explore locations along the lake to photograph the serenity and beauty that is the Mono Basin in winter. (more…)

This looks like the best weekend yet for beautiful fall color in the Mono Basin … drop everything and come on over!

Golden cottonwoods line lower Mill Creek, in a capture from the Mono Lake Committee's Mill Creek webcam.

The Sacramento Bee reports that Conway Summit, Lundy Canyon, Lee Vining Canyon, and the June Lake Loop are all at the peak (more…)

It snowed yesterday for the first time this season!

A dusting on Mt. Wood and Mt. Lewis just west of Mono Lake last night at sunset. Photo by Elin Ljung.

After so little snow last winter … after a paltry runoff season last spring … after looking at brown mountains all summer … this healthy dusting on the peaks is a beautiful relief. The sun is already peeking (more…)

Have you been to Bing.com lately? Take a look at the striking photo of Mono Lake featured there! (Click on the link and scroll through the photos using the arrows at the bottom right of the screen.)

The photo shows a view from Old Marina looking northwest over the lake to Black Point and Conway Summit at a lake elevation (more…)

September 23: Bright aspens on the way to Virginia Lakes. Photo by Geoff McQuilkin.

With the Autumnal Equinox behind us and cool nights giving way to warm days it’s time to keep an eye on the hillsides and valleys surrounding the Mono Basin as the aspens begin to change color.

Reports from visitors and staff at the Mono Lake Committee include:

—June Lake Loop: aspens are about 50% changed around the town of June Lake, but it’s a dull yellow, not brilliant; minimal color along the rest of the loop.
—Parker Bench: dull yellow/gold is spreading through the extensive aspen groves. (more…)

Meet at the Mono Lake Committee at 8:30am this Saturday, September 15 for the Great Sierra River Cleanup—we’ll be cleaning up the shore of Lundy Lake Reservoir! Please wear closed-toed shoes, be ready for fall weather, and bring water. We’ll provide the snacks. (more…)

If you’ve got a smartphone, scan this QR code to get to Mono Lake Mobile, a handy site for directions to South Tufa, Old Marina, County Park, and other useful links for your visit to the Mono Basin.

You can also see our stream of Instagram photos, which showcase our storefront remodel, views from around the Mono Basin, and recent events.

Please take a second to give us some feedback too—how well did it work for you?