18 min
Overview
This is a very short trail and time flies by walking around the uncanny landscape of the tufa towers and taking pictures of the calm mirror salt lake. In autumn after the first snow, the snowy sierra peaks in the background offer an amazing view.<br><br>Please don't touch the tufa and by no means climb on them, they are very fragile, an Instagram moment is not worth ruining hundreds of years of nature's work, especially as this natural wonder will be ruined for everyone who follows after. <br><br>There's an admission fee of $3 for everyone in your party older than 15, and the Yosemite pass doesn't work here. There won't be anyone at the entrance booth to take your money though, you're supposed to deposit it in one of the pink payment envelopes found there and then tear off the proof-of-payment stub and hang it from your car's rear-view mirror.<br>National park passes (officially known as "interagency passes") and senior passes are accepted - leave the pass on your dashboard before you start the hike to avoid getting ticketed. <br><br>Though short, you'll leave this route with a feeling of wonder, so take your time to enjoy the sights and to take plenty of photos.
Trail Stats
1.1 km
5 m
1952 m
1946 m
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Photos
Boardwalk from the parking lot to the lake.
Boardwalk from the parking lot to the lake.
Even the bushes on the shoreline are covered in a white salt crust.
Even the bushes on the shoreline are covered in a white salt crust.
Sunrise over Mono Lake
Sunrise over Mono Lake
Great for kids.
Great for kids.
Mono Lake southern shore
Mono Lake southern shore
Snow on the sierra.
Snow on the sierra.
A salt covered rock "finger" on the southern shore of Mono Lake
A salt covered rock "finger" on the southern shore of Mono Lake
Uncanny tufa towers.
Uncanny tufa towers.
Mirror Lake.
Mirror Lake.
A rocky "skyline" sticking out of the water.
A rocky "skyline" sticking out of the water.
Tufa reflected on the lake.
Tufa reflected on the lake.