Overview

Located along the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, and perhaps better known for the tufa towers and western water wars, Mono Lake provides salty habitat for billions of alkali flies and brine shrimp. The flies and shrimp, in turn, are food for many thousands of grebes, ducks, gulls, shorebirds, and other species, some 300 species and millions of individuals in all.

Each spring, about 50,000 California Gulls breed on the big island in the lake, and about 400 endangered Snowy Plovers nest on the alkali flats on the northeast shore. In mid-summer, thousands of Wilson's Phalaropes and Red-necked Phalaropes stop during the migration south to fatten up; and in the fall, nearly two million Eared Grebes join the food feast. Ducks, geese, and Tundra Swans also stop over during migration.

Link to Mono Lake Area Map, County Park Boardwalk Trail, or South Tufa Trail Map.

Description

The South Tufa Area, located on the southwest side of the lake, protects a large collection of tufa towers. A 0.8-mile nature trail, the South Tufa Towers Trail, has signs that provide information about the ecology and geology of the area.

The South Tufa Towers Trail runs down through the desert scrub (big sagebrush higher up, then lots of greasewood, and yellow rabbitbrush) to the edge of the lake. Shrubs make good birding for landbirds (e.g., Rock Wrens, Sage Thrasher, Loggerhead Shrike, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Common Nighthawk, Black-billed Magpie, Sage Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark). Watch for Least Chipmunks too.

The lake and tufa towers can be covered with waterbirds (phalaropes, grebes, gulls, waterfowl, and a few predators like Peregrine Falcon and Osprey). The shoreline is a good place to look for shorebirds (American Avocet, Marbled Godwit, Western Sandpiper, Spotted Sandpiper, Willet, and Black-necked Stilt). During migration, Ruddy Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Mallards, Canada Geese, and Tundra Swans can be common. Osprey nest atop the tufa towers.

The South Tufa Towers Trail reaches the lake edge, then bends right to run along the sandy beach. The trail goes into shrubs to pass tufa towers before looping back south to the trailhead parking area.

The trail down almost to the shoreline is accessible asphalt and wooden boardwalk with a rest bench near the end of the trail.

Location

Mono Lake is located east of Highway 395, just east of Lee Vining, California. The South Tufa Area is located about 11 miles southeast of Lee Vining. On Highway 395, watch for signs to Highway 120 East towards Benton. On Highway 120 East, drive east about 5 miles to Test Station Road, and turn left towards Mono Lake South Tufa. Continue north on gravel to the end of the road at the South Tufa Trailhead. For details, see Getting to South Tufa Trail.

Hours

Mono Lake and South Tufa are always open, but camping at South Tufa is prohibited.

Fees

South Tufa is a Federal Fee Area; adults are $3, children under 18 are free. Federal Lands Passes and Golden Age passes are valid here.

For More Information

Visit, call, or write the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center; P.O. Box 429; Lee Vining, CA 93541; 760-647-3044. The Visitor Center has information on the geology, ecology, and human history of the area. The visitor center is located 0.25 miles north of Lee Vining.