California's Popular Lake In The Sierra Nevada Has Unique Towers And Mountain Views

California's Sierra Nevada range has some of the most epic mountain views in the contiguous United States, including the lower-48 high point of Mount Whitney. Beyond its gargantuan peaks, the Sierra Nevada region is also notable for its many gem-like mountain lakes. Some of these lakes, like the ever-popular Lake Tahoe, are well-known vacation destinations. Others, like the ethereal Mirror Lake, provide magical reflective shots of mountainous wonders nearby. However, some Sierra Nevada lakes are not merely beautiful but also uniquely strange. Take California's Mono Lake, for example. Mono Lake sits along the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, which creates outstanding mountain views. Mono Lake, however, goes well beyond "just" being a beautiful viewpoint for the Sierra Nevada and instead exhibits a bizarre and oddly lovely countenance that can best be described as "otherworldly." 

Mono Lake is the beneficiary of some of the most remarkable geological and hydrological processes in the Sierra Nevada. Most notably, the lake's natural underwater springs and unique mineralogical composition have created an unforgettable collection of striking rock spires decorating the surface of the lake like an alien garden. Even without this distinctive geology, Mono Lake provides exceptional panoramic shots of Sierra Nevada peaks that rival those of any other California lake. Located about a 2½-hour drive south of South Lake Tahoe, depending on traffic and road conditions, Mono Lake is simultaneously remote enough to preserve its essential "alien" qualities and close enough to major Sierra Nevada destinations to warrant a spot on a comprehensive Sierra Nevada sightseeing itinerary.

The Sierra Nevada has bountiful mountain lakes, including serene nature escapes like the picturesque Huntington Lake. Mono Lake matches Huntington Lake's impressive mountain views but adds a few notable twists. Mono Lake is a saline lake, with water approximately three times as salty as the ocean's. In scientific terms, Mono Lake is also classified as a "soda lake." While this term may conjure images of a lake filled with Coca-Cola, it actually means that the lake has a higher-than-average pH level and high alkalinity. Equally notable is Mono Lake's age. Scientists believe that Mono Lake formed between 750,000 and one million years ago, making it one of the oldest lakes in North America. 

In an evocative parallel to the otherworldly hoodoos at Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park, Mono Lake's surface bears bizarre rock columns etched into surreal shapes. Although they look like a modern art project, these rock formations are entirely natural formations of a type of rock called "tufa." Mono Lake's tufa towers are a byproduct of the lake's unique chemical composition. Underwater freshwater springs pour calcium-rich water into the carbonate-heavy water above, and the resulting chemical reactions produce a porous limestone called "tufa." Over time, this excess tufa coalesces into the strange rocky towers that grace the lake today. 

Mono Lake's other geological marvels include the volcanic Paoha Island in the lake's center. Mono Lake's shores also provide panoramas of spectacular Sierra Nevada peaks, particularly the nearby Mono Dome, Mount Warren, and Williams Butte. And though high salinity means no fish, Mono Lake is far from barren. Trillions of saltwater-adapted brine shrimp live in the lake's waters, and millions of migratory birds come each year to snack on them. 

Mono Lake is part of California's Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve and the U.S. Forest Service's Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area (within the larger Inyo National Forest). The South Tufa area charges a $3 day-use fee per person. The boardwalk at Mono Lake County Park is currently closed due to fire damage, but visitors can explore the lake's tufa formations at South Tufa. The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center sits near the southwestern edge of the lake, with exceptional lake views, informative videos and exhibits, and even interpretive art galleries. 

For a short sightseeing walk, the South Tufa area offers a one-mile self-guided loop through the lake's distinctive tufa formations. The Mono Lake Viewpoint Trail is a longer and more comprehensive scenic hike. Beginning from the visitor center, the Viewpoint Trail offers a 2.6-mile round-trip hike across the high desert landscape to the lake. Alternatively, a sandy footpath connects the South Tufa parking area with Navy Beach, approximately a 15-minute walk away.

Mono Lake visitors can also explore this strangely beautiful landscape on the water via a kayaking trip or guided canoeing tour from the Navy Beach paddle launch. The rest of the surrounding Mono County is also worth exploring once you've visited Mono Lake. Not only does Mono County have plenty of other outdoor attractions and lodging options, but it is also home to the east entrance of Yosemite National Park — a top-10 California tourist hotspot. Access through Yosemite's Tioga Pass entrance is seasonal, so check road conditions before traveling.