An unusual way to explore local history is the Upside-Down House: in 1956, it became the first man-made tourist attraction in Mono County. It is one of the outdoor exhibits at the Mono Basin History Museum in Lee Vining.
Local history at the Mono Basin History Museum
The Mono Basin History Museum is housed in the former Mono Lake Schoolhouse, at the southern end of Hess Community Park in Lee Vining. Its exhibits document the cultural history of the Mono Basin. Nellie Bly O’Bryan’s Upside-Down House connects this historical focus with a concrete example from the county’s tourism history.
Those interested in cultural history will find a different focus at the museum than at the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center. The center is also in Lee Vining and provides information about Mono Lake’s history, geology, and ecology. It is also a starting point for exploring the lake’s tufa towers. This makes it possible to distinguish local and regional history from geological and ecological topics without separating them entirely.
Mono Lake and its birdlife
The Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve is near Lee Vining. Mono Lake is an important stopover on the Pacific Flyway, and almost 100 bird species are found in the area. These details give the natural surroundings of the lake a distinct place in your travel plans: along with the tufa towers, the birdlife and its importance along the Pacific Flyway are also regional highlights.
At the South Tufa Area, naturalists lead guided walks from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This seasonal window is worth noting if you plan to join one. The walks offer a different focus from the information at the Visitor Center: here, the emphasis is on a guided activity at the South Tufa Area, while the center covers Mono Lake’s history, geology, and ecology.
Lee Vining Creek and Highway 120
Lee Vining Creek travels about 16 miles on its way to Mono Lake. The upper section along Highway 120 is suitable for fishing and picnicking. This gives you another perspective on the landscape: the focus here is on activities by the water and along the highway corridor, rather than the tufa towers and birdlife.
Highway 120 follows Lee Vining Creek from Highway 395 over Tioga Pass and into Yosemite National Park. The Lee Vining Canyon Scenic Byway passes through a landscape shaped by glaciers and volcanoes. These descriptions highlight different aspects of the region: one traces the highway’s route, while the other describes the geological forces that shaped the byway’s landscape.
Boat access and outings on the water
The Lee Vining Creek Boat Launch is a public boat ramp. An unimproved boat launch is also available near Lee Vining Creek for boats that cannot be carried. This launch is therefore intended for a different type of boat transport than access for boats that can be carried.
Navy Beach, south of Lee Vining, serves as a launch point for kayaks and canoes. For those interested in activities on the water, it provides a named starting point for these two types of boats, in addition to the creek. Along with guided walks at the South Tufa Area, fishing and picnicking on the upper Lee Vining Creek, and the topics covered at the Visitor Center, it gives you a varied overview of nature and landscape experiences in the area.
When choosing Lee Vining as a destination, you can weigh these options: cultural history and a museum visit in town, information about Mono Lake at the Visitor Center, or activities at the lake and creek. The Scenic Byway adds the landscape shaped by glaciers and volcanoes to these options. If a guided walk at the South Tufa Area is part of your plans, keep in mind the stated period from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Discover more destinations: Coleville, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake.
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