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.

South Tufa tours continuing through winter

Thinking about a weekend getaway to Mono Lake? Now is a beautiful time to visit with cooler temperatures, snow-covered peaks, and ultimate solitude. This year, we are offering free guided South Tufa tours every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00pm through the winter in partnership with the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association and the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve.

On a calm day, Mono Lake beautifully reflects tufa towers, like Pirate Ship Tufa, pictured here. Photo by Andrew Youssef.
On a calm day, Mono Lake beautifully reflects tufa towers, like Pirate Ship Tufa, pictured here. Photo by Andrew Youssef.

Come explore the enchanting South Tufa area with an expert naturalist to learn more about the natural and political history of Mono Lake. We will talk about the local flora and fauna and how Mono Lake is truly a fountain of life, sustaining trillions of brine shrimp and millions of migratory birds each year. We will also discuss the water story of Mono Lake and how this entire ecosystem was very close to being completely lost. Tours generally last about an hour and cover about one mile. Come prepared with a bottle of water, a hat, sunglasses, and winter layers to stay warm.

n the winter, the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada can reflect on Mono Lake on a calm afternoon. Photo by Andrew Youssef.
n the winter, the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada can reflect on Mono Lake on a calm afternoon. Photo by Andrew Youssef.

When planning your trip, be sure to consult the weather forecast and local road conditions. During the winter, tire chains may be required at any time, so make sure you are prepared. After major storms, it is also possible that the road to South Tufa will not be plowed and tours will be cancelled, so be sure to call the Committee at (760) 647-6595 or visit our Information Center & Bookstore in Lee Vining to check the status of tours. We are open daily 9:00am to 5:00pm. Hope to see you in the Mono Basin soon!

One comment

  1. Beautiful images, it is hard to believe we were there in October walking around in T shirt and sandals!