The Mono Lake basin is the famous water landmark owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as they own the water rights along the Owens Valley. It is home to major wildlife and the limestone Tufas that mysteriously
grow out of the water. It is surrounded by the Mono Lake Craters and to the north is Bodie State
Historical Park, a
real ghost town, and to the south and west is the entrance to Yosemite
National Park via the Tioga Pass - Highway 120. The Toiyabe
National Forest, Ansel Adams Wilderness and Inyo
National Forest are also in this area.