After an average fall, precipitation-wise, we recorded double the average December precipitation in Lee Vining. Between October 1st and the end of December, we have measured more snow (34.5″) and precipitation (6.5″) than during all of last winter! This represents about 50% of the average annual total.

Snow blankets the Mono Lake Committee's storefront on December 26, 2012. Photo by Bartshe Miller.

For years with similar wet Decembers (1992, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2010), the following runoff year had close-to-average or (more…)

If you haven’t experienced poconip, or ice fog, at Mono Lake, I recommend it. It usually happens when it’s sunny in most other parts of the Eastern Sierra, and the ground is frozen or snow-covered.

Rime ice in the Lee Vining Creek riparian area.

The fog can be quite thick, and it is very chilly inside the fog layer—keeping temperatures below freezing all day. The poconip creates rime ice on (more…)

We missed winter last year. There was little snow in the Mono Basin during the 2011/2012 season, and sometimes you forgot that it was winter. Hikers freely roamed the high country in December 2011, and Tioga Pass remained open well into January 2012. One year later: a week’s worth of winter storms have nearly erased our memory. Now there is snow to play in and a dramatic, new landscape to discover. If you drop everything to see Mono Lake and her snow-dressed mountains, don’t forget your skis, snowshoes, tire chains, and budget some extra time to get around. You will not be disappointed.

Poconip fog lingers in Lee Vining Canyon as a Christmas Day storm breaks over the Sierra Crest. Photo by Bartshe Miller.

Can you identify these tracks? Photo by Nick Holt.

While waking up to fresh snow is a great treat (especially for those of us from Southern California), this most recent storm revealed some extra surprises. Winter may be upon us here in the Mono Basin, but a multitude of animals are still enjoying the spectacular scenery. On my walk to work this morning I spotted fresh tracks from bears, raccoons, deer, squirrels, rabbits, and other furry woodland critters. Clark’s Nutcrackers, Stellar’s Jays, and Mountain Chickadees had the air to themselves as they traded calls (more…)

There are pumpkins and remnants of Halloween decorations in the yards of Lee Vining. Many businesses have closed for the season, but the Mono Lake Committee continues to greet people daily at our Information Center & Bookstore, which is open 9:00am–5:00pm.

November visitors seem equally interested in fall color information, weather predictions, and learning which roads (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…)

The October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 water year recently came to a close. Happy new 2013 water year!

What is a water year?
It is said that hydrologists get to celebrate a new year at least four times a year—January 1st for a calendar year, April 1st for a runoff year, July 1st for a coastal California rainfall year (as well as a fiscal year), and October 1st for a water year. Needless to say, this creates challenges in organizing hydrology data.

Here in the Mono Basin, we typically use the runoff year to summarize most measurements involving stream flows, since (more…)

It looks and feels like fall! Visit any of the canyons in the Eastern Sierra and Mono Basin to experience the ever-changing fall colors. Each canyon holds its own beautiful surprise and array of colors from yellows and oranges to fiery reds. Higher elevations areas are displaying more color, while lower-elevation areas have just begun to change within the last week or two. Here is an update for curious fall color explorers and seekers.

Aspens at Conway Summit on October 2, 2012. Photo by Angie Glaser.

Rock Creek Canyon: At or near its peak as of October 1. Colors range from yellows to oranges, some reds. (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…)