There was a LOT of water yet up in the Sierra when we traveled there last weekend. In June, there was still snow on the Tioga Road and Yosemite wasn't even open yet! The upper lakes were still frozen. I kid you not. By the July 4th weekend, there was still a lot of snow in Mammoth. We rented a cabin at the Tamarack Lodge and a small stream was running right next to it! It was a good feeling to see Grant Lake (top photo), one of the June Lakes, very full. Last time we were there, last spring, it wasn't. And Mono Lake, bottom photo, had more water than we've seen for a while, although it still isn't at the levels mandated. There were still waterfalls (this one was up near Aspendell) and there were small ones still running. California needs this water and the Owens Valley desperately needs it. Even Crowley Lake (2nd photo) was way beyond its normal level. While nobody knows what kind of winter 2011/2012 will be like, it would be nice if it was another wet, snowy winter like last winter's. Nature Notes for September 21, 2011. To visit Nature Notes, please go to:
http://ramblingwoods.com/
