Susan Colletta photographed New Yorkers, Doris and David Finkel, on one of the annual Wimpfheimer/Mono Lake weekends. Kayaking on Mono Lake in the morning, they glide past two Great Horned Owls tucked in the tufa towers.

Join David as he shares one of his favorite places, and one of the most dynamic ecosystems on the planet, Mono Lake. On the first morning of this tour we will explore the lake's southern shore in the best way possible, by kayak. As we slide by oddly wonderful tufa towers we may encounter hundreds of phalaropes. A simple, but important food chain ties them to the trillions of brine shrimp in the lake. The tufa formations are just one geologic aspect of a wondrous basin that includes both the oldest lake on the continent and its youngest mountain range. Lundy Canyon, Saturday's focus, has incredible botanical diversity and waterfalls in a spectacular glacial canyon. The rest of the weekend features several short hikes to young volcanic domes, sagebrush meadows, mixed conifer woods and riparian forests. These habitats are the breeding zones for many birds including green-tailed towhee, sage thrasher and Townsend's solitaire. The battle to save Mono Lake was one of the most influential environmental victories of the twentieth century. Come and discover the protected shores and other habitats of this amazing basin.

A snapshot of David's history with Mono Lake and a glimpse of your possible experience if you sign up for this year's Mono Basin trip with the Point Reyes Field Seminars...

In the mid-1980s, David Wimpfheimer worked for the Mono Lake Committee accomplishing a variety of educational, lobbying and promotional objectives. David also participated in the Los Angeles to Mono Lake Bike-a-Thon. This benefit began in 1979 as a way to draw attention to Mono Lake’s plight and to raise funds for Mono Lake’s protection. Because the Department of Water and Power began diverting water from the lake's tributary streams in 1941; riders gathered at DWP headquarters on Hope Street to ritualistically gather water in vials, strap the tubes to their bicycles and begin a six day, 350-mile journey to symbolically return the water to Mono lake. David completed eleven such journies to raise awareness.

The Mono Basin remains one of David’s favorite places on the planet and his enthusiasm and comprehensive knowledge makes this field trip special. This expedition will introduce you to the intimate side of Mono Lake, Lee Vining and the surrounding area. During your kayak on Mono Lake, you will not just feel the bouyancy of the water; you will feel the stinging saltiness on your skin. Rub it on your legs and arms and enjoy the silky soapiness. Did you know Mark Twain used to wash his laundry in Mono Lake? The bitterness of the high alkaline water is part of the experience. Will you dare try a taste on the tip of your tongue? We will fish one of the 4-6 trillion brine shrimp (Artemia monica) out of the water and magnify the little critter (perhaps we'll see a mating dance.)

Our hike on Saturday up Lundy Canyon will include seeking wildflowers, such as Rangers Buttons (image below), Sphenosciadium capitellatum, a poisonous perennial herb from the Apiaceae family. We will also venture through an aspen forest. This tree does not live past 100 years old. The forest in Lundy Canyon is approaching that age and when the trees die, so will its graffiti. The Basque Sheepherders of yesteryear utilized the Aspen Tree to record their thoughts or communicate with other sheepherders. The Aspen Tree was their internet/diary/naughty canvas. The image below is one such tree. Here is a detailed synopsis in pdf form.

Our turnaround point is a lovely, waterfall that is pleasurable to relax at, eat lunch and take photographs. Oh yea.... and take off your hot hiking boots and emmerse your feet into soothing, freezing, fresh snow melt.

A large focus of the weekend will be about birds. From American Avocets and Red-necked Phalaropes to California Gulls. We will also visit the Hwy 120 Jeffrey burn area. The black-backed woodpecker inhabits old burned out areas and in years past, we have had good luck finding both juveniles and adults there. Come awaken all your senses.