Mono Lake: The Water That Never Runs Away

#hellohalloween In eastern California, amid the desolate plains and mountains of the Sierra Nevada, there's a place where it seems the earth has forgotten time. This is Mono Lake—ancient, salty, and still. It has no outlet: all the water that comes here stays forever. The sun evaporates the moisture, but the salt remains. Thus, over millennia, this fantastical landscape was born—chalk towers of limestone jutting out of the water like the ruins of a city that once stood at the bottom. There are no fish here—the water is too alkaline. But millions of birds flock to the lake every summer to feed on tiny crustaceans and flies that feel at home in this chemical environment. 📍 Location: Mono Lake is located in California, at the foot of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, near the town of Lee Vining. The elevation is almost 2,000 meters above sea level. 🚗 How to get there: From Lee Vining, the southern shore of the lake is about a 10-minute drive along US-395, then turn onto Mono Basin Road to the South Tufa area. From Yosemite, drive here via Tioga Pass (in warmer months), a drive of about 1.5–2 hours. 🕐 Best time to go: In the morning, when fog rises over the lake and the towers are reflected in the water. Or in the evening, when the sky turns pink, and it seems as if the light is coming from within the earth. ⸻ ☕ Tip: Don't try to swim—the water is salty and slippery, like liquid glass. It's better to wear comfortable shoes and simply walk along the shore, where the smell of minerals and wind creates the feeling of another planet.