December 8, 2021
Mono Lake
I've always wanted to see Mono Lake, so on my first fall color expedition I drove further north. Mono Lake is a terminal lake in an endorheic basin since it has no outlet. It is fed by surface water that flows from the Sierra and springs under the surface. Mono Lake is best known for it's tufa tower formations at the lake's edges. These are formed by the calcium rich water from the underwater springs. I arrived before sunset, but after the Sun had set behind the Sierra that rises at the west edge of the lake. The lake is also in a volcanically active area with both of the central islands being the result of eruptions in the last 1000 years with the most recent being 350 years ago.
Read MoreI've always wanted to see Mono Lake, so on my first fall color expedition I drove further north. Mono Lake is a terminal lake in an endorheic basin since it has no outlet. It is fed by surface water that flows from the Sierra and springs under the surface. Mono Lake is best known for it's tufa tower formations at the lake's edges. These are formed by the calcium rich water from the underwater springs. I arrived before sunset, but after the Sun had set behind the Sierra that rises at the west edge of the lake. The lake is also in a volcanically active area with both of the central islands being the result of eruptions in the last 1000 years with the most recent being 350 years ago.
