Mono Lake Area early November

[Gil Todd]

Planning a trip to the Mono Lake area first week in November. The weather report looks pretty good with no snow in sight. Any suggestions re where, other than the lake itself, to set up a camera? Looking for the usual things, trees, rocks, vistas, and old buildings or ruins. Thanks!

[Eric James]

Ask at the Mono Lake Committee Visitor's Center for directions to the Boy Scout Camp. Drive slowly and don't make the make the trip if it's icy.

This is from an early December visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eajames...7618358183833/

[Shen45]

Turn right out of the Whoa Nellie car park then right onto the [?] I-395 -- go about 2 kms then turn left towards Jim Galli's [Tonoparh - Nevada] then turn left again and stop before you get to the water. That should take you to a nice cluster of Tuffa's to start with. Many areas around the lake will offer you great opportunities for photography.

A bit further along the road to Jim's there are some pines that have the lake in the background.

I can't comment on the weather conditions really, but over the Tioga pass if you go through Yosemite around Novemeber snow may be a problem.

Don't forget Bodie is only about 30 minutes from the lake in the other direction along the I-395. Allow at least half a day.

Steve

[Preston]

Gil,

Where are you coming from? LA? Bay Area? Other? If you are coming from the west (Bay Area) side of the range, a chance of light snow is expected over Tioga and Sonora Passes this Sunday and Monday, with better weather through Wednesday. In the long range forecast, another storm is expected later next week. Whether either of these will be enough to close the passes is a crap shoot, but you should be prepared. Carry chains. If those passes do close, you may be forced to go over Carson Pass (CA 88). This will add a couple of hours to your trip to the Mono Basin.

The Mono Lake Committee Visitor Center in Lee Vining is the best place to get info about spots around the lake. South Tufa could be a zoo, but you can escape the hordes by going over to Navy Beach, or take a dirt road, (a left turn off the South Tufa road) that has nice views of the lake. There are also possibilities at the, now long gone, Marina on the east side of the lake, just off 395.

Driving out 120 eastward toward Nevada, is very nice, as well. There is also th June Lake Loop, Lee Vining Canyon, and Lundy Canyon. As has been mentioned, Bodie is not far away.

Have a good time!

--P

[Sirius Glass]

Preston is right. The first significant snow will close the passes. Check http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi by the route numbers. You will be near Death Valley if Bodie [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509], the June Lake Loop and the various volcanoes are not enough for you.

Steve

[Drew Wiley]

If day hiking into the side canyons be aware that the weather can change very abruptly in the Fall. November is infamous for folks getting a few miles back in wearing T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers under bright blue skies and having them hike back out in falling snow. Every now and then someone twists an ankle or something like that, and they aren't found till the snow thaws the next summer; and I have been in Lundy Can and other canyons in Nov when I had to loan a jacket to someone unprepared. Otherwise, with reasonable common sense, it's a nice time to visit the Mono Lake area. Tioga Pass and Sonora Pass will be closed, so plan another route like Hwy 395.

[Sirius Glass]

If day hiking into the side canyons be aware that the weather can change very abruptly in the Fall.

I have had accumulated snowfall in that area in August. It is the Sierras, so plan accordingly.

[I would not use the caterer that the Donner Party used!]

Steve

[Preston]

Tioga Pass and Sonora Pass will be closed

Drew, not necessarily. At present, there are no plans for the winter closrue of the passes. Both Sonora and Tioga are currently open according to CalTrans and the NPS Yosemite sites. Of course, this could change, but the long range progs are calling for light to moderate precip and fairly high snow levels.

Caltrans (or NPS in Yosemite) will usually close the passes for the winter when there is a high volume snowfall and/or an ice buildup that can't be cleared, or won't be able to thaw.

Travel on 395 and over the Tahoe area passes should be pretty straightforward.

--P

[Vaughn]

Go there. Walk around and find your own viewpoint and produce something new instead of the same old pictures taken another day.

So True! -- but it is still nice to have some hints on where to park the car before walking about...

Lee Vining Canyon along the creek is great...don't know if there is much color left. The campgrounds might be closed, but still nice to walk about. Driving around the backroads would fun. So it will depend on how far you want to range from Mono Lake. It is 125 miles down to Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills, but somewhat similar rocks can be found in the Buttermilk Hills only half the distance -- just west of Bishop.

Have a great trip and I hope the weather cooperates!

Vaughn

[dsphotog]

The whole area is magical....
The south shore of Mono Lk. in the Navy beach area, you'll find small formations called "Sand castles" eroded sandstone.
North of Lee Vining at the Bodie junction, Virginia Creek Settlement has superb lasagne & pizza, and a motel.
Bodie is a must see.
To the south is Devil's Postpile.

Bring lotsa film!