Mono Lake is a rather unique body of water. Not only is it at least 2.5 times saltier than the ocean, it also contains significant concentrations of several other minerals, some of which are highly alkaline. When these minerals interact with the calcium supplied by underwater springs also present in the lake, a chemical reaction occurs which produces underwater towers, known as Tufas.
I have no intention of trying to explain this or any other chemical reaction. It is definitely NOT my area. However, I can show you what these funky, fragile towers actually look like. At one time, these formations were completely submerged in the waters of Mono Lake. However, as water levels in the lake dropped due to the diversion of feed water to the Los Angeles aqueduct in the mid 1900s, the Tufas were exposed. Since the 1990s, various efforts have been made to restore at least some of its previous sources of water to Mono Lake, with limited success. At present, according to information provided by the visitor center, the water level of Mono Lake is approximately 40 feet below its typical pre-1940s level.
There is a California State Nature Preserve located on a section of the shoreline of Mono Lake in which many Tufas are visible. The preserve includes walking trails through a group of Tufas which are entirely exposed and resting on dry land. Ultimately the trails lead to the shore of the lake, not far from the location of several Tufa formations that remain partially submerged in water. The day we visited, there were also several park rangers on hand to answer visitor questions.
Next up…Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadows, and Olmstead Point: highest elevations of Yosemite National Park
i’ve been to mono Lake and it really is amazing structures that were formed. Also remember the big campaign with bumper stickers that said “Save Mono Lake”
Hey Larry, Going to acknowledge and reply to both of your comments here. Thanks for checking in. This entire area…from Mono Lake to where we are now, on our last day, Lone Pine, is absolutely amazing. There is so much to see and do and it is breathtakingly beautiful. Not as cool as we thought it would be during the day but it does cool down pretty well at night. See you in less than 24 hours if you are in PS…if not, see you when you return.
A Chinese guardian lion is what jumped out at me before seeing it as your T-Rex! In either case, definitely part of an other-worldly setting for sure. And underlying part of your story — water, water everywhere, until it’s not. Travel safely on your return to home base!
Love the tufa reflection.