Meeting locations
There are three main meeting locations for Chautauqua trips and presentations:
● Mono Lake Committee Information Center and Bookstore
● Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center
● Mono Lake Indian and Lee Vining Community Center
Within the Mono Lake Indian and Lee Vining Community Center, there are multiple meeting locations. Here’s what they mean:
CC: Meet inside the community center
CCF A, CCF B, CCF C, CCF D, CCF E: Meet outside the community center in the areas designated by this map:
Trip difficulty levels
Easy:
Be prepared to walk from the cars to field sites, no more than one-half to one mile each way. Participants will need to carry all of their supplies to and from the field locations. Some sites may be exposed to full sun.
Moderate:
Be prepared to walk two to three miles at a leisurely pace, much of it over uneven terrain and off trail, with some stepping up and over obstacles. This level requires good balance, some agility, and stamina. We will steadily gain elevation throughout the trip.
Difficult:
Be prepared to walk four to five miles over uneven terrain, much of it off trail, and the route may include stepping up and over obstacles. This level requires good balance, some agility, and stamina. Be prepared for short, steep sections of trail with little shade.
Very Difficult:
Be prepared to walk more than five miles over uneven terrain that may include narrow, technical trails, off-trail stretches over loose gravel, and stepping up and over obstacles, potentially at high elevations. This level requires good balance, agility, and stamina. Be prepared for longer, steep sections of trail with little shade.
Come prepared
June weather in the Mono Basin is typically pleasant but can vary significantly and you should be prepared for all conditions including rain, wind, or very warm weather. Cool to cold mornings are guaranteed so dress in warm layers that can be easily shed. Other essentials include: water, sunscreen, bug repellent, hat, rain gear, suitable footwear, daypack, and a lunch for those events that extend through mealtime. Binoculars, scopes, field guides, and other birding essentials are advised.
Transportation
All participants are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from workshops and bird walks. Carpooling is encouraged and arrangements can be made with others informally at the meeting location.
Lodging
Many lodging options are available in Lee Vining and June Lake. Click the links below to see the full lists.
Osprey family taking advantage of the many lodging options around Mono Lake. Photo by Erv Nichols.
Bird Chautauqua etiquette
Children: Children attending field trips or workshops must be accompanied by a parent or designated guardian.
Pets: No dogs or pets allowed on any Chautauqua event, workshop, or program. Please leave Fido with friends or family and not in the car during a field trip.
Recorded bird calls: During the Chautauqua, playback and recording devices should not be used by participants or by field trip leaders. The popularity of smart phones and other digital devices has brought about a huge surge in the use of digital playbacks to attract birds and to alter their behavior. These playbacks, though effective at bringing birds into view, can cause unnatural stress on birds and can also be offensive to other birders. We are adopting the policy of the American Birding Association relative to the use of these playback devices: “Individuals [should] limit the use of recordings and other methods of attracting birds, and never use such methods in heavily birded areas, or for attracting any species that is Threatened, Endangered, or of Special Concern, or is rare in your local area.”
Chatting: The Chautauqua is a great place to make new friends and reconnect with old ones but during field trips, birds are best heard and appreciated when conversations are minimal and voices are soft. Please respect the wishes of many participants who have asked us to address this issue by keeping conversations to a minimum during field trips.
Top photo by Elin Ljung.