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Mono County

Lee Vining

Mono Basin Visitor Center – Lee Vining, California loop from Lee Vining

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Mono County

Lee Vining

Mono Basin Visitor Center – Lee Vining, California loop from Lee Vining

Easy

5.0

(1)

hikers

Mono Basin Visitor Center – Lee Vining, California loop from Lee Vining

01:00

3.70km

60m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 24, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Inyo National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.84 km

Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

Central visitor center serving the entire Mono Basin area. Usually closed in winter (Dec-Mar) with great info about Mono Lake, permits, and the trails in the adjacent Sierra Valleys between Tahoe, Yosemite, and Bishop.
Displays explain the unique biology of the salty, alcaline water, the purchase of all water rights of the valley by the water-hungry city of Los Angeles and the drastic dropping of lake water levels after completion of the celebrated Mulholland system of canals and pipe tunnels that dried out the lake and the entire Owens valley downstream in favor of the far-away metropolis. Legal battles led to small compromises in the 1990s to raise lake levels slightly and keep minimal water for local use, but it is far from sufficient to restore the damaged natural balance.

Tip by

1.97 km

Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve

Highlight • Lake

The reserve was established to preserve the spectacular "tufa towers," calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. It also protects the lake surface itself as well as the wetlands and other sensitive habitat for the 1 – 2 million birds that feed and rest at Mono Lake each year. Hiking, photography, bird watching, swimming, boating, and cross-country skiing are popular in and around the lake.
parks.ca.gov/?page_id=514

Tip by

2.03 km

Mono Basin Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

This visitor center has info about the geologic, biologic, and human history of the Mono Basin. You'll also find restrooms, water, and hiking trails down to Mono Lake. The center is generally open between May-October, but the exact dates fluctuate year to year so call ahead if you are visiting early or late in the season.

Tip by

2.79 km

View of the Lake

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

2.97 km

Small Machinery Museum

Highlight (Segment) • Monument

3.37 km

Lee Vining, California

Highlight • Settlement

Lee Vining is the gateway to Yosemite for those entering or exiting the park via Tioga Pass. This small town is well stocked and ready to deal with the hordes of tourists that make the trek to park each year. You'll find great food, interesting souvenirs, and a unique charm that is endemic to the Eastern Sierra.

Tip by

3.70 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.92 km

1.08 km

384 m

210 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.92 km

1.09 km

379 m

297 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (2,070 m)

Lowest point (2,010 m)

Weather

Thursday 25 June

31°C

11°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Mono Basin Visitor Center – Lee Vining, California loop from Lee Vining

Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center

Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve

Mono Basin Visitor Center

View of the Lake

Small Machinery Museum

Lee Vining, California

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