Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, CA There are places that impress you with their beauty, and there are places that make you pause, reflect, and realize just how ancient our planet truly is. Mono Lake is one of those extraordinary destinations. Nestled on the eastern slopes of California's Sierra Nevada, Mono Lake is unlike any other lake in North America. It is not simply a stop along the scenic drive between Yosemite National Park and the deserts of Eastern California,