Tioga/395, Lee Vining, CA

## Overview Tucked along Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road) just west of Lee Vining in Mono County, California, this beloved natural spring has long been a cherished stop for Sierra Nevada residents, outdoor enthusiasts, and rock climbers passing through the Eastern Sierra. Situated at approximately 7,000 feet in elevation near the base of the dramatic Tioga Pass grade, the spring emerges in a striking landscape where groves of quaking aspens stand in vivid contrast to the surrounding slopes of pinyon pine and high-desert sage. Locals consider this a sacred spring, and it has historically been used as a drinking water source by travelers heading to and from Yosemite National Park. The water has been reported to taste clean and cold, fed by Sierra snowmelt filtering through the granite and volcanic geology characteristic of the Mono Basin region. Visitors are encouraged to treat this spot with respect — if you see any trash, please pack it out. ## Directions 1. From the town of Lee Vining, head west on Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road) toward the Yosemite National Park entrance. 2. As you begin climbing the road, watch carefully on your **right** side for a distinctive grove of aspens. The bright green (or golden, in autumn) aspen forest contrasts sharply with the surrounding pinyon pine and sagebrush slopes — it's hard to miss once you know what to look for. 3. Directly across the highway from the aspen grove, turn **right** onto a dirt track. 4. Drive up the hill approximately 30 yards and pass through an open gate. 5. The spring will be on your **left**. **Landmarks to confirm you're in the right area:** - If you find yourself struggling up the steep Tioga Pass grade, you've gone too far. - If you reach the Yosemite National Park entrance station, you've gone much too far. Turn around and head back east. GPS coordinates: 37.942338, -119.140205 ## What to Expect The spring is located just off the highway on a short dirt spur road, making it accessible by most vehicles in dry conditions. The setting is beautiful — a pocket of lush aspens surrounded by the arid, high-desert terrain of the Eastern Sierra. In autumn, the aspen grove turns brilliant gold, making this an especially scenic stop. The water flow has historically been reliable, sustained by Sierra Nevada snowmelt percolating through the region's granite bedrock. Visitors have reported the water to be cold and refreshing. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary with season and conditions, and the spring is not formally tested or treated. This is a well-known stop among the climbing community — many en route to world-class bouldering and sport climbing areas in the Eastern Sierra pause here to fill up. The spring sits at a transitional elevation zone where the Great Basin meets the Sierra Nevada, giving the area a unique ecological character. Please help keep this spring pristine: pack out any trash you find and leave the area better than you found it.