Mono Lake is on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California just east of Yosemite. One of the unique features of the lake is the tufa formations which are spires of calcium carbonate which just out of the lake. The can be twice my height (I am over 6 feet tall) and outwardly in shape. Hot springs in the lake which are rich with minerals produce the spires and I just learned this week from a friend that if you take a kayak out on the lake it is obvious that more are forming all the time just below the surface of the lake. For years Mono lake was being drained for irrigation but recent water management rules are requiring that the lake be refilled.
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by chris2x
I am the host of the Amateur Traveler. The Amateur Traveler is an online travel show that focuses primarily on travel destinations and what are the best places to travel to. It includes both a weekly audio podcast, a video podcast, and a blog.11 Responses to “Tufa at Mono Lake, California – Photo Friday”
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amida
Says:September 11th, 2009 at 12:03 am
It was a choice between Mono Lake or Yosemite for us this year. Yosemite won, but I’d still love to visit here and check out the springs.
Glennia
Says:September 11th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Our family loved Mono Lake. The formations are really amazing.
Dominique
Says:September 11th, 2009 at 8:04 am
I’ve heard of these before. Reminds me a little bit of the large pieces of ice we took a Zodiac around in Alaska. I’ll be these do look pretty amazing by kayak.
Amie from Ciao Bambino
Says:September 11th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Mono lake is amazing—great photo!
Jen@TwoKidsandaMap
Says:September 11th, 2009 at 10:57 am
What a beautiful photo! Those formations are fascinating…
Caitlin
Says:September 11th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Beautiful! And so close to me too!
marina
Says:September 12th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Wow, it looks like something that belongs in a cave! I love these amazing rock formations.
Lorraine Akemann
Says:September 13th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
A treasure in my native state that I have yet to uncover. Thanks for the amazing preview.
Simi
Says:September 16th, 2009 at 2:19 am
i actually swam in that with the flies and brine shrimp. it was gross.
chris2x
Says:September 16th, 2009 at 9:37 am
yeah, I don’t think I would recommend swimming
MM
Says:October 5th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
i actually swam in that with the flies and brine shrimp. it was gross.