Mono Lake Tufa Spires Diminished?

[dstefan]

I've never been to Mono Lake, but will be spending a couple days there week after next on my way to Crater Lake and the OR coast. 

I was reading something in a non-photographic magazine that said the tufa spires are much diminished now because the lake is much more full than it was in decades past as a result of some save Mono Lake efforts. 

What's the story from folk who have been there recently and/or over time? Do they still have that alien world look or are they now largely covered up? 

I'm still going, but want to adjust my expectations...

[tim wolcott]

Of course its still very alien like.  Its what you make of it.  I always like it with less spires.  Here is one shot when the water was at its lowest point.  Tim

[Paul Sumi]

It's been a couple of years since I was last in the area, but the tufa are still very prominent.  I'm headed back that way in October for fall color.

The South Tufa at dawn is the iconic location and time to photograph.  You'll want to arrive while it is still dark to catch pre-sunrise light. Late afternoon or early evening can also be good depending on light/weather conditions.  I've used everything from wide-angle to medium tele.  If you carry graduated neutral density filters, they will be useful here.  Some have had success with blue-gold filters as well.

As a sidebar, you should consider having breakfast after your morning shoot at the nearby Whoa Nellie Deli at the Tioga Gas Mart.  They have a croissant with smoked trout that is just excellent.  

http://www.whoanelliedeli.com/

Paul

[Lisa Nikodym]

As a sidebar, you should consider having breakfast after your morning shoot at the nearby Whoa Nellie Deli at the Tioga Gas Mart.  They have a croissant with smoked trout that is just excellent.  

http://www.whoanelliedeli.com/

Paul

I haven't been there to eat yet, but have had several other people recommend it to me as having really excellent food.

Lisa

[JeffKohn]

My understanding is that the lake level has gone up over the last decade or two; but I was there last summer and there were still plenty of tufa formations to photograph.

[PHCal]

What timing; I'll be heading up there next weekend, hope to get up early enough for sunrise (not a morning person).  Think I'll check out that smoked salmon croissant!

[dstefan]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  That's encouraging.  Very nice image Tim.  I'm sure a smoked trout crossiant will be just the thing . . . .

[Paul Sumi]

Resurrecting this thread, had a question for anyone who has recently visited the South Tufa.  I am headed to that area next month.

What's the condition of the dirt road off the main highway?  I haven't been there in a couple of years and was wondering if the graded dirt road was suitable for NON-field vehicles.  In my case it means a regular passenger sedan, NOT high clearance.

Any information appreciated.

Paul

[wittsend2]

I have been there many times and had no problem going out the the south tufa. There is a large parking lot and it is an oft visited area. Have a trip planned for October 8-11 and am quite looking forward to it. Enjoy.

[NashvilleMike]

No problem at all - it's a very short dirt road, and it's perfectly fine for any regular passenger car.

Resurrecting this thread, had a question for anyone who has recently visited the South Tufa.  I am headed to that area next month.

What's the condition of the dirt road off the main highway?  I haven't been there in a couple of years and was wondering if the graded dirt road was suitable for NON-field vehicles.  In my case it means a regular passenger sedan, NOT high clearance.


Paul

[Paul Sumi]

Wittsend2 and NashvilleMike,

Thank you both for your replies.  I haven't been up that way in a couple of years so was wondering about the condition of the road.

Paul

[matt4626]

Dang it. I've been trying to keep the Whoa Nelly a secret...too crowded in the summer...no problem in Ooctober
Enjoy.