Tufa

Tufa's (pronounced "too-fah") occur when calcium bubbles up from subterranean springs and mixes with the carbonate of the alkaline water. They occur is groves around the edge (and presumably in) of/the waters at Mono Lake.




Mono Lake is North America's second oldest lake and has been pulled into controversy for years as Los Angeles has tried (first successfully and now unsuccessfully) to siphon off the water. That in itself would be an expensive project. Add to that the fact that the water in Mono Lake is even saltier than the ocean and you have a very costly endeavour indeed!

Actually, LA wanted the clean water that runs off the Sierra peaks into Mono Lake. This caused a massive drop in the water levels in Mono and an increase of salt in the water. In 1994, after the lake levels had dropped drastically, the Cal State Water Resources Control Board mandated that LA had to reduce its dependence and allow the lake level to rise back up. The lake has still not reached the "sustainably managed" goal of a water level measuring 6,383 ft.

We are very impressed with the Visitor Center at Mono Lake and it is there we first see the unearthly images of the tufas. Speaking with one of the rangers, we learn that a few miles back down the road we can hop on an interpretive trail that will take us through the south "tufa grove."







It is an odd experience looking at these sand castle like structures and knowing that, not all that long ago, they were all underwater.














The drive along Hwy 395 and the eastern Sierra towards Lake Tahoe is spectacularly beautiful. The desert essentially slams up against the mountains of the Sierra Nevada creating a mixed bag of scenery. There are tall peaks, pine forests, hot springs, arid expanses of land, blue lakes, and vast gorges.




Turning off on Hwy 89 we climb the Monitor Pass to a bird's eye view of the California/Nevada border and then disappear into the mountains once again emerging at the water's edge of Tahoe.







The kind folk at the Best Western (also located on the water's edge of the South Shore), upgrade our room to a lovely lake view. We wander out to have a drink on the nearby pier before heading to Freshie's for some spicy delicious fish tacos...the quest to find California's best fish tacos continues!! Freshie's does not disappoint (although Jenn nearly burns poor Keir's mouth off by ordering the Jamaican Jerk shrimp tacos!!)