With the blue of Lake Tahoe so close it's easy to forget all those other lakes gleaming in the Sierra Nevada. Almost all have trails well worth exploring, and Mono Lake south on Highway 395 is one of them.
Mono Lake is named after a Native American tribe, the Kutzadika'a also called Monache (shortened to Mono). They were known as "fly eaters" as they used the flies at the lake for food.
The lake is something of a poster site for restoration of damage to nature.
Growing Los Angeles diverted water from the Owens River in 1941 and extended an aqueduct system into the Mono Basin. So much water was diverted that evaporation soon exceeded inflow and the surface level of Mono Lake fell rapidly.
By 1982 the lake was reduced to 37,688 acres, having lost 31 percent of its 1941 surface area. As a result alkaline sands and once-submerged tufa towers became exposed. Negit Island became land-bridged, exposing the nests of gulls to predators (chiefly coyotes) and forcing the breeding colony to abandon the site.
In 1974, Stanford University graduate student David Gaines studied the Mono Lake ecosystem and alerted the public of the effects of the lower water level. The National Science Foundation funded the first comprehensive ecological study of Mono Lake, conducted by Gaines and undergraduate students from UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, and Earlham College.
Gaines formed the Mono Lake Committee in 1978. He and Sally Judy, a UC Davis student, led the committee. They joined with the Audubon Society to fight a now famous court battle to protect Mono Lake.
This resulted in positive change, but the surface level is still below historic levels.
Owens Lake, which once sustained a healthy ecosystem, is now a dry lake bed during dry years. Mono Lake was spared this fate when the California State Water Resources Control Board issued an order to protect Mono Lake and its tributary streams on Sept. 28, 1994. Since that time, the lake level has steadily risen. As of August 2006 it had risen to 6,385 feet. A level of 6,392 feet is the goal, a goal made more difficult during years of drought.
OK, enough history. If you were driving around Mono Lake during its shrinking, you'll be delighted to see now how much coverage it has regained. From the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor's Center, perched south of Lee Vining, the views are magnificent and the center houses excellent exhibits of natural science and how it all applies to Mono.
But the best way to see Mono is to hike. There are at least 10 and probably more hiking trails in the basin.The Lee Vining Creek Community Trail starts at the visitors center. This is an easy 3-mile walk that touches the lake shore and the South Tufa area. If it's windy you might want to wear goggles as the alkalai dust can be stirred up.
The Tufa area is a self-guided nature trail with picnic tables, exhibits and rest rooms. There's a $3 fee involved but it's worth it.
If you catch Highway 120 off Highway 395 you can get to Panum Crater via a nature walk that is easy. This resulted from the last volcanic action of the Long Valley caldera some 640 years ago.
Much of the hiking in the Mono basin is off the June Lake loop, accessed from 395. Trails there can be most demanding and due to a tumble I took visiting friends in Port Hueneme in the Ventura, Calif., area I tried only the easy ones such as the Community Trail. A broken nose, banged up knee and black eyes limited my excursions this time, but one thing for sure, I'll be back there for some hiking.
There's a fine map of the many trails at www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/. You can phone (760) 873-2408 or write P.O. Box 429, Lee Vining, CA 93541.
Sierra Club Gathering
The Sierra Club Great Basin Group is having a summer party from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 19 at the Fish Hatchery at Galena Creek Regional Park. They'll have a three-piece dance band, games, door prizes, finger foods, salads, and soft drinks. Admission is $10 per person to help defray cost. To ensure that we have enough food, RSVP to Gracie Caudill by July 13 at 626-7873 or myoki@att.net. They're also asking everyone to bring their own reusable drinking cup or wine glass.
When the band takes a break, there will be an update on Keeping Washoe Wild.
The Fish Hatchery is a nice (air conditioned) stone building with an outdoor patio area next to Galena Creek, Marilyn's Pond, and the surrounding pine forest. Parking is limited so carpool.
Directions: Galena Creek Park is 7 miles up the Mt. Rose Highway from U.S. 395. Take the south (second) entrance into the park. Follow the road up the hill, past a lower parking lot. Make a right when at the sign for Marilyn's Pond and Camp WeChMe. Continue about 150 yards to the Fish Hatchery. For more information, contact Valerie Andersen at 828-0302.
Note: If the reader who asked me about hiking trails for the handicapped would contact I have more information for him.
• Contact Sam at 841-7818 or at sambauman@att.net.
