Winter is a particularly beautiful time at Mono Lake. The crowds are gone, a quiet stillness prevails, and snow crystals sparkle on the tufa towers. Mono Lake is a majestic body of water in California covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. Many columns of limestone rise above the surface of Mono Lake. This type of limestone rock is referred to as tufa, which is a term used for limestone that forms in low to moderate temperatures.
Recognized as an official Wildlife Viewing Area, Martis Creek Basin near Truckee, California hosts a diversity of ecological zones including meadow, riparian, and pine forest. Wildlife inhabitants range from deer and beaver to a variety of meadow and forest dwelling birds. Northstar dominates the view to the south with its long ski runs while an even more dramatic vista lies westward, encompassing the Sierra Crest and Castle Peak.
Although Jeffrey Pine trees are the most common trees found in the Lake Tahoe Basin, that fact doesn’t diminish their regal beauty and dignified stature. One reason for their abundance is their resilient nature in the face of adversity. These coniferous evergreens can live for 400-500 years and are tolerant of many stressors such as drought, fire, poor soil, altitude, heavy snow loads, and shifts in temperature from one end of the spectrum to the other. Of all the trees, Jeffrey Pines exemplify best the hearty soul required to thrive in Lake Tahoe’s arduous landscape and climate.
