05-15-13 Update

Time for another update:


On Thursday we visited Mono Lake.  We spent an hour or so in the Visitor's Center and then the rest of the afternoon hiking around the lake.

Mono Lake covers approximately 65 square miles.  It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old.  That makes it one of the oldest lakes in North America.  Another unique feature is this large lake doesn't have an outlet to the ocean.  There are several creeks that flow into the lake but there isn't any way for the water to leave.  This results in an accumulation of salt.  Mono Lake at first glace appears to be a dead lake.  But it is in fact home to trillions of brine shrimp.  Trillions.... estimates are somewhere between 4 and 6 trillion brine shrimp live in this lake.  The brine shrimp ability to live in extremely salty environments coupled with the fact that that the shrimps natural predators, fish, cannot make this an ideal habitat for these tiny creatures. 

The above pictures are of Tufa Towers in and around the lake.  Tufa towers are formed at the intersection of  freshwater springs and alkaline lake water.  A nature preserve was established to preserve these spectacular towers.

A swim in the lake is a unique experience.  The lake is about 2 1/2 times more salty than the ocean, that makes the water denser.  You remain very buoyant.  Old timers say that a dip in the water will cure almost anything.

Mono Lake has two major islands.  These islands are volcanic and the last eruption formed Paoha Island, this occurred within the last 250 years. You have an interesting mix of ancient lake with very recent volcanic activity.  (Photo isn't ideal but it does show the islands in the lake if you look close)

Millions of migratory birds use Mono Lake as a stopover in their travels and feed on the brine shrimp and the Alkali flies that live in and around the lake.  Birdwatchers will find this an ideal location.  Guided bird-watching tours are given on Fridays and Sundays (Seasonal).

Mono Lake has been an unwilling participant in the Los Angeles water wars.  In 1941 the City of Los Angeles started diverting water from the creeks that flow into Mono Lake.  This continued until the early 1989 when a judge ordered a temporary halt of the water diversion to evaluate the environmental studies.  The water level dropped by 41 feet and the salinity doubled.  It was reported that the lake would be completely depleted by the year 2000.  There has been a settlement and LA is still getting water, but it is being carefully monitored and the lake level is rising.

The ecology and the geology of this unique lake is complex and above my purpose here.  Hopefully I have peaked your interest and you will find out for yourself the uniqueness of this incredible lake.

We also have taken several motorcycle rides this past week.  On Saturday we rode over the Sonora Pass - there are several passes that cross over the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.  We have been fortunate enough to cross over all of them.  The Sonora Pass was the last remaining pass we hadn't traveled.  We can now cross that off the list of things we wanted to do.

Jon is still fishing every chance he gets and we are enjoying the area.   Every day is a good day when you get to enjoy the outdoors.

Until next time.