Lee Vining, CA

Carson River on Scenic 395 South.

I can't resist my green pines against that azure sky.

Some more snow capped mountains.

Our first view of Mono Lake, near Lee Vining, CA.
Five streams feed the lake, but no water leaves
except by evaporation. Therefore, it is 2 1/2 times
saltier than the ocean and contains many suspended
minerals. To gain a perspective on this long shot,
note the highway and cars at the bottom.

Removing snow is so dangerous, it can only be done during
daylight hours. Sometimes Lee Vining will receive four feet
of snow overnight. The schools only close when the roads
are completely impassable. We spoke with a 10th grade young
man and he has only 11 classmates. The town boasts a population
of 398. During the winter, everyone watches the weather very
carefully. When a storm is predicted, people drive an hour to
Bishop, CA, for supplies, return and hunker down.

As fresh water bubbles up from the bottom of the lake,
it carries calcium carbonate (limestone). Calcium carbonate
is deposited in formations that resemble upside down cones.
When the level of the lake dropped 45 feet these white
tufa were exposed. The level of the lake dropped because
Los Angeles was diverting water from the streams that
suppied Mono Lake.

The exposed tufa.

More tufa of a slightly different color and texture.

Imgaine this water being 40 feet higher...

...the sea gulls would have no place to roost.