It’s a long way from Yosemite Valley, so it’s not as crowded as other water attractions like Yosemite or Bridalveil Falls, but it’s definitely worth the trip – especially if you like to paddle. As I got into the water with my board, before everyone stepped out of their tents, I felt the privilege of being a stand up paddler, and being able to take advantage of such stunning view all by myself. Definitely stand up paddling is a form of meditation for me – especially when you paddle solo at 9000ft elevation in the heart of Yosemite.
It’s a nice place to paddle but don’t expect to have the place to yourself, as we discovered a little later that morning when several families and other nature lovers headed to the sunny shores. My session got interrupted when the first families arrived to swim or set up picnic spots: at that moment all the magic of that first morning session was already gone. No problem, we were ready to move to our next destination.
In fact, we were eager to do some more paddling later that day in Mono Lake, a large shallow saline lake in Mono County, California. The lack of an outlet causes high levels of salts to accumulate in the lake and form these amazing salt tower-like sculptures.
It was a reality check to find out that this desert lake is slowly disappearing due to climate change and the severe drought California has been experiencing in the last few years. We learned it has an unusually productive ecosystem based on brine shrimp, and provides critical nesting habitat for two million annual migratory birds, and so most parts are closed to any water activities.
