Mono Lake Kayaking
Spend a weekend exploring the wonders of salty Mono Lake and one of the nearby freshwater lakes from the comfort and quiet of your own sea kayak. We paddle between the spectacular Tufas and view up-close the amazing abundance of birds and wildlife. We start the trip with a visit to the Mono Lake Visitor’s Center and have opportunities for hiking along the shoreline during the weekend. Our spring departure offers great opportunities for viewing wildflowers. No prior kayaking experience is necessary – basic skills instruction is provided. We use ruddered sea kayaks which have a stable and user friendly design, and all paddling equipment is provided.
Mono Lake Kayak Itinerary:
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Day 1
Your trip begins today in Lee Vining, CA. We meet by 8:30 p.m. at our campsite at the Mono Vista Campground in Lee Vining. We’ll have a group orientation, meet the guides and get ready to kayak the next day. Late arrivals can catch up in the morning. Dinner on your own.
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Day 2
We have breakfast in camp, then head to the nearby Mono Lake Visitor’s Center to learn about this unique eco-system. We then proceed with kayaking on Mono Lake, stopping for a picnic lunch prepared by the guides. We return to our campground in the late afternoon with time for hiking the shoreline trail of the Tufas. The guides will prepare a great dinner in camp tonight. All meals included.
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Day 3
After breakfast in camp, we pack up and head out to paddle on one of the nearby freshwater lakes dependent upon weather and water conditions. The freshwater lakes provide an interesting contrast to salty Mono Lake. We may explore the beaver dam-studded Lundy canyon or paddle June Lake. We have a picnic lunch on shore and paddle or hike until we’re ready to call it a weekend – usually around 3 p.m. Breakfast and lunch included.
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. The final paddling route is left up to the discretion of the guides and is based upon trip member’s skill and weather conditions.
Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Professional instruction and guiding; all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through lunch on Day 3; 2 nights camping accommodation, single kayaks (or double kayaks, if requested in advance) including all kayaking equipment.
Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees where required, insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.
There is no reliable transfer service from any airport to our meeting place. Anticipate renting a car if flying in for this weekend getaway.
This trip is rated Easy Active (2) as we plan to kayak 3-5 hours per day in calm conditions. While conditioning is not stressed as critical to your enjoyment of this trip, even easy paddling will involve the use of several muscle groups in both your lower and upper body, and being reasonably fit is important to your enjoyment of the trip.
Daytime temperatures usually range between 60º - 80º F, with evening temperatures dropping to 50s - 60s. You may encounter cool and rainy conditions, including fog and wind. Rain is a possibility so adequate raingear is important.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.
Mono Lake Kayaking
Weather
Gear Checklist
- Kayaks (single is standard, but doubles are available with advance notice)
- 2-person tents, double occupancy
- Life jacket and spray skirt
- Cooking gear and eating utensils
- Dry bag: 1 small for personal gear
- Group first-aid kit
- Sleeping bag rated to 30º - 40º F
- Sleeping pad
- Sweater or jacket, wool or fleece
- Thermal underwear top and bottom
- T-shirts (no cotton)
- Long sleeve shirt
- Long pants
- Shorts
- Underwear
- Wool or warm synthetic socks
- Paddling gloves
- Bandana
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Wool or fleece hat
- Sun/rain hat
- Sunglasses and retainer strap
- Toiletry kit
- Sun block and lip balm
- Plastic bags—Ziploc for wet clothes
- Water bottle—1 quart is best
- Favorite snacks
- Seat/back cushion for kayaking
- Insect repellent
- Headlamp
- Rain jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
- Rain pants, waterproof and breathable
- Lightweight hiking boots
- Wetsuit booties, water sport sandals, or old tennis shoes
- Camera and film
- Dry bag for personal gear (small)
- Small binoculars (7x or 8x is best)



