"Base Camp for Eastern Yosemite and Mono... " a Lee Vining Travel Page by mtncorg

Lee Vining is a somewhat typical stop in the road - US 395, in this case. It is strategically located with its score of gas stations, little motels, restaurants and campgrounds. There is nothing out-of-the ordinary about the town for the traveller beyond the basics, except for maybe the Visitor's Center on the north end of the town for Mono Lake. This center will give the traveller a good feel for the lifecycles involved with the vast basin lake below the center and the town - Mono Lake. You will, also, discover the long story about the fight to save the unique ecosystem.

What is unique about Lee Vining is its physical setting. It is on the dry side of the Sierra - that is obvious, surrounded as it is by desert. It lies only a few miles from the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite Park. Also, a great base for exploring both uniqueness of Mono Lake - both at the South Lake tufa area and possibly in kakaying on the lake itself - and the incredible volcanic features of the Mono Craters south of town. And then, of course, you have the mountains of this area of the Eastern Sierra - entry points at Virginia Lake, Mono Pass or Tioga Pass among others.