In the introduction to his latest book, “Deep Time in the Mono Lake Basin: Nature and History Over the Last 10,000 Years,” published in May by the University of California Press, author and June Lake resident Robert B. Marks is quick to explain the difference between natural and environmental history.
One hundred years from now, a time capsule buried Saturday on the south side of the Mono Basin History Museum will be dug up to reveal what life was like in Lee Vining in 2026 and what was foremost in its residents’ minds. Among the 80 items contained in the 50-pound metal box marked with…
The tiny wood shack was flipped on its head. The roof peaked toward the ground and the floor faced the sky. Inside, a fake upside-down cat stared at a fake upside-down mouse. The bed was neatly made and hung suspended from the ceiling, just like the rest of the furniture. Even the historical plaque on…
Weathered wooden buildings, quiet streets, and windows into another century make Bodie ghost town a memorable Eastern Sierra day trip. This former gold-mining community is now Bodie State Historic Park, where California’s mining history remains visible in the buildings and belongings left behind. For travelers staying in Lee Vining, Bodie offers a change of perspective:…
The Mono Lake Committee led its last Lundy Canyon Bird Walk of the season on Labor Day Saturday, but that doesn’t mean fun in the canyon and on Lundy Lake is over for the year. Far from it. There is still more than a month left before the first snows start to shut things down,…
Just outside Yosemite National Park, Twenty Lakes Basin delivers one of the biggest scenic payoffs for the effort in the Eastern Sierra. Beginning at Saddlebag Lake, the route travels through the Hoover Wilderness and passes a chain of alpine lakes surrounded by colorful peaks, polished granite, and wide-open high-country views. Despite starting above 10,000 feet,…
The History of Lee Vining, California: 100 Years at the Crossroads The history of Lee Vining brings together mountain travel, mining, community life, and the protection of Mono Lake. For travelers arriving along Highway 395, the town is a place to stop for a meal, settle in for the night, or turn west toward Yosemite….
Tufa towers rise beside open water, birds gather along the shoreline, and the Sierra Nevada forms a dramatic backdrop. Mono Lake invites you to slow down, look closely, and discover a landscape unlike the mountain lakes nearby. This Mono Lake visitor guide will help you choose where to go, understand what you’re seeing, and plan…
Golden aspens beside mountain streams, bright leaves reflected in still water, and autumn color against granite slopes make fall a beautiful time to explore the Eastern Sierra. Lee Vining puts you within reach of several rewarding places to see the season unfold. The best approach to finding Lee Vining fall colors is to stay flexible….
Spend the day on the slopes, then return to Lee Vining beside Mono Lake. For travelers who enjoy a small-town base and exploring the Eastern Sierra, a stay here can bring two different mountain experiences into one trip. You can ski Mammoth and June Mountain from Lee Vining while keeping the same home base. The…