As I write this note for the Mono Lake Newsletter, winter feels like a distant memory. Two weeks into an astonishing heat wave, the aspen trees are leafing out, the desert peach is starting to bloom, and Mono Lake’s tributary streams are running as high as if it was late May instead of late March.
Life in Lee Vining has its own seasonality that also follows these cues of spring. Leafing aspens, desert peach blooms, and rushing streams mean it’s time to transition to life with open mountain passes, more visitors, and all the excitement spring brings. While it may be a couple months early, it feels like the right time to remind you to plan a visit to Mono Lake.
Part of our job here at the Committee is to be the eyes and ears of the many thousands of people around the world who love Mono Lake. So, if a visit is not in the cards for you just now, we’ve got some great ways you can connect from afar. I love the webcams that show different views of the Mono Basin—the Benchmark photos in this issue (see page 11) are from a camera I checked every day when I was traveling over the winter. You can find all the webcams here.
You can also give us a call in Lee Vining any day—we’ll look out the office windows and tell you what it’s like to be in the Mono Basin at that very moment. You’ll be able to watch spring roll into summer at Mono Lake, even from afar.
Top photo and Newsletter cover photo courtesy of Richard Erb.