We got there later in the day so we went to the tufas, which are not to be missed! I stole this explanation from the monolake.org website:
"Tufa is essentially common limestone. What is uncommon about this limestone is the way it forms. Typically, underwater springs rich in calcium mix with lake water rich in carbonates. As the calcium comes in contact with carbonates in the lake, a cemical reaction occurs resulting in calcium carbonate--limestone. The calcium carbonate precipitates (settles out of solution as a solid) around the spring, and over the course of decades to centuries, a tufa tower will grow. Tufa towers grow exclusively underwater and some grow to heights of over 30 feet. The reason visitors see so much tufa around Mono Lake today is because the lake level fell dramatically after water diversions began in 1941."
As you walk down to the lake they have a marker showing where the lake level was before the diversions--it's pretty shocking to see. Thankfully they've stopped removing water to save the lake and they have a goal of where they want the lake level to return to. It's hard to imagine how long it will take for the lake to fill up that much again.
Anyhoo, I had a hard time choosing photos because everything there is stunning (also, they were taken by Luke, which is why they are so good). We had a rain storm, which you will see approaching in the photos, which made for extra dramatic shots. Enjoy!
I think this kind of looks like a castle
the bubbles are where the tufas are slowly forming
the sky was really that colour
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