| Area: 5,000 Acres | ||
| Lat: 37.925262 | ||
| Lon: 119.253144 | ||
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| Lee Vining/Tioga Lake - Site # 121 | |||
| Experience wildlife diversity of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. | |||
 | Seasonal - these sites have high wildlife values during certain seasons, though they may have recreational value year-round. | ||
| Background: | This glacier-carved subalpine lake and canyon are located on the highest paved road in California. | ||
| The Habitat: | Eastern Sierran Forests, Great Basin Habitat, Aspen Habitat, and high elevation meadows | ||
| The Experience: | Tioga Lake is a small glacial lake in the Inyo National Forest of Mono County, California, about two miles north of the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park. There is also lodging and food at Tioga Pass Resort. | ||
| Wildlife and Where to Find It: | Watch for wildlife throughout the steep-walled canyon, especially California bighorn sheep. Vegetation along a meandering creek shelters Clark's nutcrackers, rock wrens, and occasional bobcats. Tioga Lake attracts Caspian's terns California gulls, spotted sandpipers, and other shorebirds. A wet meadow offers views of hunting red-tailed hawks, yellow-bellied marmots, and spectacular spring wildflowers. The adjacent forest hides blue grouse, coyotes, pikas, and badgers. | ||
| Viewing Tips: | Highway 120 is a national forest scenic byway. ROADS IMPASSABLE AND CLOSED IN THE WINTER. High probability of seeing shorebirds, gulls, and small mammals from April through October. Songbirds are seen from May through August. Birds of prey appear year-round. Bighorn sheep are well camouflaged and elusive. | ||
| Nearby Viewing Sites: | Mono Lake, Yosemite National Park, Hot Creek Wetlands and Fish Hatchery, and East Walker Wildlife Area. | ||
| Festivals & Events: | The Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua | ||
| Visitor Information: | Mono Lake Committee - (760) 647-6595 - http://www.monolake.org | ||
| Viewing Site Hours of Operation are: | |||
| Staff On-site: | Yes | ||
| Open: | Everday | ||
| Hours: | 9:00am - 5:00pm | ||
| Year Round: | No | ||
| Road Information: |  Paved.  Gravel. | ||
| Road Hazards: Tioga Pass is closed during winter months. Call ahead for closure information. | |||
 Number of Parking Spaces: 0 | |||
| Parking Fee: No | |||
| Proximity to viewing area: | |||
 Pull-Through Parking: No | |||
| Parking Notes: | |||
| Special Tips: | Tioga Pass is closed during winter months but campgrounds are still available and cross-country skiing opportunities. | ||
| How to Get There: | From Lee Vining, drive west on Highway 120 for 5.5 miles to pullout; continue 6.5 miles to lake. | ||
| Contact Information | |||
| Managing Agency: | USDA Forest Service, Mono Basin National Forest | ||
| Agency Site URL: | http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/recarea/?recid=20252 | ||
| Physical Address: | 10806 Hwy. 120 W. Lee Vining, CA 93541 |
Agency 2: | corner of Highway 395 & Third Street Lee Vining, CA 93541 |
| Manager Phone: | (760) 647-6331 - Visitor Center | ||
| Site Phone: | (760) 647-6595 | ||
| County: | Mono | ||
| Addition Website: | |||