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.

Mono Basin winter photo album

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.
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A foot of snow blankets the Sierra just west of Mono Lake (January 8). Photo by Andrew Youssef.

Over the summer, when I gave tours at South Tufa, visitors often asked me, “What does it look like here in the winter?” Since I had only spent summers in the Sierra, I honestly wasn’t sure. I knew the Sierra crest would probably be snow-covered, and possibly the Mono Craters, but I couldn’t say anything for certain. Now I have been fortunate enough to spend my first winter in the Mono Basin, and what an amazing season it has been so far—from frozen streams to snow-covered tufa to all the animal tracks which are suddenly visible after a snow shower.

I still rejoice every time it snows, even when it is just a few flurries, and not only because I grew up outside Atlanta where we were lucky to get a single dusting of snow each year, but because I know each snow flake is another drop of water for Mono Lake which is exactly what we need, especially during this record drought. Enjoy these snowy photos from this winter and let’s hope for much more to come in the weeks ahead!

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The Dana Plateau rises high above a quiet Tioga Road, which is currently closed for the winter (January 8). Photo by Andrew Youssef.

 

The Mono Craters were covered with 8-10 inches of lake-effect snow after a Thanksgiving storm (November 28). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
The Mono Craters were covered with 8-10 inches of lake-effect snow after a Thanksgiving storm (November 28). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Snow in the high desert is a beautiful sight to see (December 17). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Snow in the high desert is a beautiful sight to see (December 17). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Walking along the shore of Mono Lake in the snow is an unforgettable experience (November 27). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Walking along the shore of Mono Lake in the snow is an unforgettable experience (November 27). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Snow blowing over the Dana Plateau in late-afternoon light (December 18). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Snow blowing over the Dana Plateau in late-afternoon light (December 18). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Lesser Goldfinches gathered atop a snowy apple tree in Lee Vining (January 5). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
Lesser Goldfinches gathered atop a snowy apple tree in Lee Vining (January 5). Photo by Andrew Youssef.
(January 2). Photo by Bartshe Miller.
June Mountain Ski Area, Reverse Peak, San Joaquin Mountain, Carson Peak, and the slope of Mt. Wood (January 2). Photo by Bartshe Miller.
View from Conway Summit as poconip fog fills the Mono Basin (December 17). Photo by Bartshe Miller.
View from Conway Summit as poconip fog fills the Mono Basin (December 17). Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Poconip fog and snowy peaks above Mono Lake (December 17). Photo by Bartshe Miller.
Poconip fog and snowy peaks above Mono Lake (December 17). Photo by Bartshe Miller.

20 Comments

  1. Great photographs. Thanks for posting them. It is always nice to get a look at Mono Lake when you are 3,000 miles away. I keep watching the weather reports and praying that each storm that forms dumps a pile of snow on the Sierra. Enjoy the winter!

  2. Some wonderful images of Mono Lake area in winter, it is hard to believe that, as recently as last October, we were roaming the paths in Tshirts and sandals!

  4. Thanks for this post, and for the photos. I visited between Christmas and New Years and explored Lee Vining Canyon and the West Portal/Jeffrey Pine/Craters area. It was so beautiful. As soon as I leave I immediately miss Mono basin and hope to return soon.

  8. mahalo for the winter photos…makes us yearn for a return to our second favorite place on our beautiful planet!!

  10. Nice to see some new water for the lake. I haven’t been there since 1982, but am planning to come back soon. I lost my “Save Mono Lake” pictures in a fire, and need to find some replacements.

  12. Thanks for some splendid views of one of the most spectacular views in California. I have only been at Mono Lake once when it snowed, and it was a puny amount, so seeing these photos with so much snow (!) Is exciting!

  14. The Mono Lake Basin is simply spectacular in winter. The photos here mostly hint at it but mostly fail to capture the wonders of winter. Having visit the basin many times over the years in all seasons, the awesome reality is better than these pictures reflect.

  15. Beautiful pics! My most favorite place to be – the Eastern Sierras and Mono Lake basin area. I go ebery year for 2 weeks with my dogs to hike and camp. I will be there avain in less than 2 weeks and cant wait to get back and enjoy the coop temps and some snow for the dogs to play in.

  16. Thank you for the gift of these sublime photos. Makes me want to put on my boots and go hiking in the snowy landscape of our beloved Eastern Sierra.

  18. The Eastern Sierras are one of my favorite places on Earth. For over 35 years, our family has tried to make yearly ventures through the area to camp, hike, fish, swim and photograph. We go whenever we can, but fall and winter are the best. What is more beautiful than snowfall on the Mono Lake? Thanks for the pictures!

  20. Wonderful photos. I live in the Bay Area, which isn’t that far as the crow flies, but the Sierra feel like a big impenetrable wall during the winter so I rarely make it east of the crest this time of year. It’s also part of the reason the Eastern Sierra feels so special to me, though — its relative isolation from the rest of the state. Thanks again for posting these!