Mono Lake is one of the oldest lakes in North America, dating back at least 760,000 years.
The water contains three times the salt concentration of the ocean and is highly alkaline with a pH of 10.
Tufa towers are not rocks, but calcium carbonate formations created by underwater springs reacting with the lake water.
The lake supports no fish species, which allows brine shrimp and alkali flies to flourish without predation.
Over 1 to 2 million migratory birds, including Eared Grebes and California Gulls, use the lake annually for nesting and feeding.
The water level was artificially lowered by 45 vertical feet between 1941 and 1994 before conservation efforts were mandated.
The Mono Basin is located on the edge of the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Mark Twain described the lake in 'Roughing It' as a 'solemn, silent, sailless sea.'
The lake serves as a stopover for phalaropes, which double their weight during their stay.
The tufa formations continue to grow and change as the lake's water chemistry fluctuates.
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve preserves a unique saline alkaline lake basin featuring prominent tufa towers formed by the interaction of calcium-rich underwater springs and carbonate-rich lake water. The lake is an ancient terminal basin at least 760,000 years old, existing without an outlet to the ocean. These tufa formations were originally underwater and became exposed as the lake level receded due to water diversions that began in 1941. The hypersaline, alkaline waters host a massive population of brine shrimp and alkali flies, serving as a critical habitat for millions of migratory birds. The South Tufa area is the most accessible site for viewing the tallest and most dense cluster of limestone towers. The reserve operates as part of the California State Parks system to protect this ecosystem from further degradation. It sits at an elevation of approximately 6,380 feet, contributing to significant temperature fluctuations.
The South Tufa Area trail provides the most iconic panoramic views of the towering limestone formations against the Sierra Nevada backdrop.
Bring polarized sunglasses to reduce the glare from the highly reflective white salt crusts.
Carry plenty of fresh water, as the high elevation and dry climate cause rapid dehydration.
Wear insect repellent during the summer months to manage the massive swarms of harmless alkali flies.
Stay on designated trails to prevent damaging the fragile, porous tufa structures.
Do not attempt to swim in the center of the lake or approach nesting bird areas, which are strictly protected.
Do not climb on, break, or remove pieces of the tufa towers; do not collect samples; stay on marked paths.
