Mono Basin, Endorheic basin in California, United States
The Mono Basin contains Mono Lake, a large saline water body situated at the eastern edge of Sierra Nevada mountains at 6378 feet elevation.
Native American tribes, including Mono and Owens Valley Paiute populations, established settlements around Mono Lake over thousands of years before European exploration.
The declining water levels of Mono Lake in the 1970s sparked environmental movements that changed water management practices in California.
Visitors reach the basin via Highway 395, with multiple observation points offering views of limestone formations and opportunities for wildlife photography.
The waters of Mono Lake maintain a pH level near 10 and support specialized organisms including brine shrimp and alkali flies.
Location: California
GPS coordinates: 37.95000,-118.95000
Latest update: March 2, 2025 22:31
Inyo National Forest
59.3 km
Tioga Pass
27.4 km
Mount Dana
24.5 km
Glass Mountain
28.8 km
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
7 km
Mount Conness
32.6 km
Panum Crater
8.7 km
Conness Glacier
32.4 km
Tioga Pass Entrance Station
27.3 km
Casa Diablo Hot Springs, California
33.9 km
Lyell Canyon
32.4 km
Mount Gibbs
24.4 km
Mono Basin National Scenic Area
9.6 km
Bloody Canyon
19.8 km
Great Sierra Mine Historic Site
28.1 km
Hot Creek Geological Site
33.8 km
Kuna Peak
27.3 km
Koip Peak
26.8 km
Hall Natural Area
30.4 km
Dunderberg Peak
31.2 km
Agnew Lake
27.1 km
Blacktop Peak
27.7 km
Lee Vining Canyon
20.4 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
9 km
Inyo Craters
29.4 km
Tioga Lake Overlook
26.9 km
Tioga Pass Road Valley View
24.5 km
Lee Vining Canyon Bridge
24.5 kmReviews
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