The continuous chirps were clear but unseen, carrying across Navy Beach just below the craters of the Eastern Sierra high desert. Then we spotted the osprey majestically perched on one of the taller limestone tufas overlooking the glassy, shallow waters of Mono Lake.
Kayak or stand-up paddleboard? Check. Tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad? Check. Food, water, down jacket, fleece pants, gloves, sunscreen, hat, and lip balm? Check. These were just some of my essentials for full paddling immersion on Mono Lake. Except my friend also brought a kite.
The saline lake just below the small town of Lee Vining — a half-day drive from Santa Barbara — is best explored by some sort of self-propelled watercraft. That felt especially true when we saw a busload of tourists barreling down the dirt road with a huge plume of dust behind them.