Seeing Mono Lake was another of those travel dreams come true. My first glimpse of it was from afar; from a vista point up on a hill to the northwest of the lake. We’d made a stop at the point on highway 395 and there in front of us was a large patch — a shade of cyan refusing to be washed out by the blinding afternoon sun.
I was reminded of my first glimpse of Pyramid Lake, further north of this basin and within Nevada’s borders. That lake too, like this one, lies in a semi-arid landscape — a gem in the middle of the desert. Both lakes have several other things in common, among them, their tufa formations ought to be at the top of the list.
The tufas of this lake could not be seen from this vista point on US 395. For that, we had to go closer to the lake, which we did. What dramatic formations they were! Lots of pictures and more about the Tufas in the next post. Do come and see them. I was totally tipsy from the trip to this lake in Mono Basin and the hike in the South Tufa area.
Mono Lake Vista Point
- This overlook is around 10 miles away from Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve.
- If you are visiting from the western part of the Sierras and are taking the Sonora Pass or Monitor Pass to get there, this point should be ‘on your way’ to the lake.
- If you need an address to catch this sight, try this on your navigation system: Mono Lake Vista point, 51508 US-395, Lee Vining, CA 93541
- There is a small parking area where you can pull off the highway and enjoy the sight.
Happy Driving. Get tipsy from the trip. 🙂
See More:
Lakes on Tipsy from the TRIP
From the Eastern Sierra
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Are they houses? Imagine living so isolated like that?! Lovely area tho….
Hi Lydia.
You do see some houses, there. That area didn’t seem very isolated. The highway nearby sees quite a bit of traffic, and there’s a town nearby. 🙂
Oh! Absolutely lovely area. 🙂
I hope you are having a good week. 🙂
…it’s a beautiful lake and it’s wonderful to see water in it! I love the guard rail with all of the stickers.
It is. Oh yes – it’s great that there’s some water in it. Since it is in desert area, a lot of evaporation happens and the lake is getting smaller.
I wonder what it looked like when the inland see was here in this area. 🙂
Those stickers do make that parking lot an interesting sight. 🙂
What an amazing view!!! its gorgeous!!
Isn’t it?
Thank you for your visit, Alycia.
Welcome here. 🙂
Thanks also for joining in #Allseasons
It’s a pleasure! Thank YOU, Lydia.
I’ll try to be regular. 🙂
lovely area and beautiful views
I agree.
Thank you for stopping by, Klara.
Btw, I love your post for MCoW this week! <3
The lake is magnificent and you have captured it beautifully.
Love the photos.
It is. I’d been wanting to see it for a while.
Thank you so much, Veronica. 🙂
Lovely views and great captures spanning such a wide area.
The colour is amazing and it really stands out in that desert landscape.
Thank you, Shiju. 🙂
The stretch of 395 is so scenic and spectacular – world class road trip.
Visiting from Skywatch Friday!
Worth a Thousand Words
Oh yes, it is.
I’m looking forward to going that side in the Fall (hopefully this year)
I hope you are doing well, M.
that´s a beautiful place 🙂
I totally agree with you, Monika. 🙂
Thank you for your visit. 🙂
[…] sights:Mono Lake Vista PointDevils Postpile (coming soon on TftT) 🙂Yosemite National […]
[…] Islands of Basaltic ColumnsAlso from the area Mono LakeSouth Tufa Trail […]
Spectacular indeed!
🙂 🙌🏽
The next post is about how it looks up close — with some interesting rock formations and all. Totally otherworldly! 🙂
Thank you for coming this way. 🙂
Amazing views
Aren’t they?
🙂
Thank you for your visit, Rupam. 🙂
Reminded me of the lakes of Ladakh. Love that hue!
That colour is unforgettable. There’s another lake in the same terrain but over 150 miles north of here that is pretty much of the same shade. Both lakes have the same kind of rock formations in the water, too.
Thank you, Nomad.
Such incredible pictures of a beautiful place!