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Mono Lake’s Canyons

Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Bruce Wendler

Streams flowing from Lee Vining and Lundy canyons comprise two thirds of the principal sources of water feeding Mono Lake. The other is Rush Creek.

Years ago, the City of Los Angeles sought to divert fresh water from these streams for its water supply, but the Mono Lake Committee fought a legal battle that stopped the diversion, saving migratory birds which depended upon high lake levels to protect their nesting areas.

  • Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Michelle Pontoni
  • Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Michelle Pontoni
  • Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Michelle Pontoni
  • Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Michelle Pontoni
  • Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Michelle Pontoni
  • Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Michelle Pontoni

Lee Vining Creek and Mill Creek (Lundy) sustain not only the life dependent upon Mono Lake, but also wildlife (beaver, migratory birds) and foliage that flourish in their canyons.

Color spotters Bruce Wendler and Michelle Pontoni and her husband visited today, finding the color to vary from Patchy to Near Peak.

Lundy Canyon is one of the finest fall color hikes in California and it looks to be primed for peak this coming week. Plan your hike!

To the north, Dunderberg Meadows (off Virginia Lakes Rd) is at peak and will be past peak sometime in the coming week. GO NOW!

  • Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Great Egret, Lundy Canyon (10/9/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Lee Vining Canyon (10/9/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Lee Vining Canyon (10/9/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Lee Vining Canyon (10/9/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Dunderberg Meadows (10/9/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Dunderberg Meadows (10/9/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Near Peak (50-75% Go Now!
  • Lundy Canyon (7,858″) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now!
  • Dunderberg Meadows (9,600′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
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