Years ago solo camping on Paoha island on Mono Lake. Picked up a wilderness permit at the visitor center. Just me and one land locked coyote that lived on seagull eggs. I took my small folding chair and sat on top of the small island and watched the sun drop behind the Sierras as I finished off a couple beers. Very spooky…
It was disorienting paddling past the tufa towers early in the morning heading to the island. Getting off the lake before the afternoon when it is not uncommon for very nasty winds to come up is a good idea.
My brain had trouble passing the towers, the water was crystal clear, not even a ripple on the surface and I could see perfectly down 50 or so feet to bottom of the towers and my brain could not figure out what was holding me up. It was so disorienting I had to stop looking down.
Very salty, strange feeling. Only Brine shrimp live in that water. It is the largest breeding ground on the west coast for the Western Gull (I think that’s the correct seagull)
I was there last week. The lake is an enigma. Really salty, full of flies and brine shrimp. Not that easy to get a boat on it. It used to be popular for swimming and boating. Now I rarely see boats on it. A large and unforgiving lake with some challenges.
Speaking of coyotes, a new den just showed up overnight in my yard outside the fenced portion. I am discouraging them with lights, a radio and rags soaked in vinegar.
