Taking a hike

From my campsite overlooking Mono Lake I decided to do some hiking in the area.  Of course I stopped along the way to smell the flowers (actually cactus in bloom).  I am parked about a mile off hwy 395 on a plateau overlooking Mono Lake.  It is a perfect spot.  No highway noise and very little traffic down this narrow paved road.

Whoa Nellie!

I hiked down the road which eventually wanders down to the lake.  It is a rather steep road going down but I felt up to it.  So off I went.

Change in the road

About a 1/2 mile from my campsite I ran into this home right next to the lake.  The road turns sharply and you are then on a gravel road the rest of the trip.

 

I ran into a lot of these cactus flowers all in bloom along the way.  Not sure what they are though.

More then I am up to…

My goal was to hike to the tufas.  However once I got on the gravel road there was a sign that read “Tufas 3 3/4 miles”.  I still continued on as I had plenty of water and the hike didn’t look to bad.  But after about 2 miles I realized this was going to be more difficult then I had anticipated.  The wind was at my back and was blowing quite a bit.  In order to return to my campsite I would have to hike back against the wind and then a steep uphill climb for the last 1/2 mile.  So I decided that if I was to see the tufas it would be better to drive down to them.  I turned around and hiked back (and with much difficulty I might say).

Beautiful clouds

But before I hiked back I got a couple pics of the fabulous cloud formations.

I was pooped and glad I didn’t hike all the way to the tufas.  That will be another day.

I am just amazed at the unusual cloud formations I see here every day.  During the day the sky is very blue, but does have big fluffy clouds here and there.  However in the evening it is a different story.  It is as if all the clouds come over this area and just pile up together.

And finally the biggest and best for the last.

The scenery is like no other place I have ever visited.  I had a big day but it was a great time.