From its famous tufa towers to the brine shrimp that make Mono Lake an essential stopover point for millions of migrating birds, Mono Lake provides a fascinating and unique landscape for nature journaling.
* Note that a few details have changed due to the government shutdown.
Gathering Details
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Time: 10:30 am* to 3 pm
Location: South Lake Tufa parking*
Rough Schedule
(Check back for more details as the date approaches)
10:30 am* – meet at the South Tufa parking area*
- We’ll have a chance to get to know each other and introduce the area before we begin nature journaling
- Experienced nature journalers are welcome to wander off and explore while those looking for a little more guidance/information on nature journaling are invited to join me for some group activities and journaling ideas.
12 pm – Regroup for a potluck lunch
- Please let me know in advance if you or anyone in your group has any dietary preferences or restrictions
- Not all dishes need to be appropriate for everyone, but by letting us know a few days in advance, we hope that everyone will be able to share.
- Also, if you can bring reusable plates/bowls/cups/utensils that will help us reduce waste.
1 pm – Nature Journaling Round 2
- There is so much to see and do near Mono Lake. Let’s take full advantage and get out for another round of journaling and exploration together.
Facilities
- Pit toilets are available at the parking area. They do not have hand sanitizer though, so you may wish to bring your own.
- Please bring your own water – I didn’t see any potable water refill options.
- I had cell service in the parking area (Verizon), but reception can be spotty sometimes.
- There is a short accessible/paved/boardwalk trail that leads to the lake, as well as an unpaved trail that creates a loop (about 1 mile long) back to the parking area.
- There are occasional benches to rest along the trails, though you may wish to bring a sit pad/chair/blanket as well for more comfortable seating options/locations.
What to Bring
Nature Journaling supplies – this can be as elaborate or simple as you like. Having something to write with and on is key, but that can be a pad of paper and a pencil/pen or a bound nature journal with fancy pens, markers and watercolors, or whatever appeals to you. That’s up to you. There are some picnic tables at the parking area, and a few benches along the trail to the lake, but you may also want to bring a sit pad, chair, or blanket of your own to sit where you please.
Something to share for the potluck picnic. As I hear back from more people, I can provide some guidance about people’s dietary preferences, though not every dish needs to be an option for every person. Again, please let me know in advance if you have some dietary preferences to allow people to plan a dish that everyone can share. Also, if you’re able to bring reusable plates/cups/utensils, that will help us reduce our waste!
Your personal supplies for a morning/day in nature. This would include things like, water, snacks, sun protection, and insect repellent. Mornings tend to be pretty cold, so a wide range of clothing layers/jackets is strongly recommended. There is also relatively little shade at this location, so sun protection will be key.
Camping?
The times for this event were selected so that people could have the opportunity to make this a day trip. A few people have expressed interest in sharing a campsite Saturday night, which absolutely sounds amazing. Unfortunately, I’m no longer sure if I will be able to make it on Saturday early enough to pin down a campsite for us to share. If someone is interested in taking that on, please let me know!
If you are interested in sharing campsites or carpooling, it helps me so much if you would fill out the RSVP form.
Header Photo by Shashank Hedge on Unsplash