Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Huell Howser: An amazing man with an amazing impact

We are sad to relay the news that longtime supporter and friend to Mono Lake, Huell Howser has passed away. Huell introduced countless people to Mono Lake through his first visit with “California’s Gold” in 1992 and then again in 2008 when he returned to film another episode, “Mono Lake Today,” about the exciting restoration progress.

Huell Howser paddling at South Tufa with Mono Lake Committee Executive Director Geoffrey McQuilkin in 2008. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

It’s not uncommon for us to hear visitors say, “I first learned about Mono Lake from Huell Howser on California’s Gold.” With his signature enthusiasm he had some classic moments out at Mono Lake … chasing windrows of alkali flies with the microphone, chatting with awestruck fans and Park Rangers at South Tufa, and paddling a canoe many feet above the places he had walked 15 years before.

Thank you Huell. We were lucky to know you, and Mono Lake was too.

Here are some links for more information on Huell Howser’s connection to Mono Lake.

6 Comments

  1. I had the good fortune to meet Huell while we were both working on the SCE Big Creek Projects. The thing I remember most was the excitement he exhibited on camera was exactly the same off camera. He told me that he truly loved California because of “California’s Gold”. For those of us who want to protect California’s natural resources, we have lost a kindred spirit!

  2. It has been really nice to hear people’s stories about Huell … he was involved in so many things and his enthusiasm touched so many people on a personal level. Thank you for sharing this Jim!

  3. I saw the segment on television when Huell met with the Southern California Bluebird Club in Orange County to show how that organization was protecting bluebirds. Because of that show I now attend to bluebird boxes in the Pasadena area, all thanks to Huel Howser.

    What most people don’t realize is that Huell was gay, All the good work he has done will inspire young gay and lesbian youngsters knowing they have a role model who cared about the environment.

  4. Love Mono!!!!!!!!!!!! & Lee Vining!!!!!!! & Huell, (wadda host!!!!!!!). I ride a motorcycle, great way to explore the region. As to the gay thing, we gays always knew Huell was, & it’s too bad he or other personalities don’t “come out” more often. RIP!!!!!!!! xoxoxo,Peace, Happy new year, Lenny

  5. TO ALL MEN OVER 40 READING THIS POST: Please honor Huell’s memory by getting your prostate checked. Your Dr. can run a simply PSA blood screen every 2 – 3 years. That’s it. If something changes, know that prostate cancer is not a death sentence in 85% of the men that monitor their PSA level. Its not even debilitating when caught early. I’m guessing Huell either didn’t have his checked, but more likely was unfortunately one of the 15% of men that have aggressive cells and we lose to this disease. I went through treatments two years ago and now able to return to the Eastern Sierras for years to come, healthy and whole!

  6. just pulled out an old vhs that I had recorded multiple episodes with Huell. Especially love his trips up north in CA and adventures on Route 66 and up in the Sierras….”Hope you are on some wonderful adventure up in heaven now Huell” Maybe someday technology will allow us to get the video feed from you :) MISSING HUELL IN L.A.