Road Trip Day 2: Mono Lake

These formations that appear in the southern part of Mono Lake are called tufas, formed by the interaction of the saline waters of the lake and underground streams. Formerly these were under water, but the retreat of glaciers and Los Angeles water usage drained the lake. In the 70s and 80s, Mono Lake Committee struggled to save this lake, and in 1994, they won. Restoration is underway, and much of the land here will eventually be back under water.

After our visit to the lake, we traveled south through the eastern Sierras, making stops along the way, ending at Lone Pine, which is near Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the continental US. From the top (we didn't go there!), you can see the lowest point in the US, which is in Death Valley.