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.
