Tioga Pass, at an elevation of 9,945 ft, is Yosemite's Heavenly gate.  Get a sky-high peak into America's park jewel from California's highest vehicle pass.  Near the summit Ellery, Saddlebag, and Tioga Lake offer accessible camping and fishing in an astonishing alpine setting. Lee Vining Creek, cascading down the canyon is lined with acres of tall aspens that put on a blazing show of fall color.  Watch for that occasional Bighorn Sheep on the Canyon's Rocky slopes.

A favorite and special place for hikers, anglers, and campers,Saddlebag Lake is located near the top of Tioga Pass on the Eastside. During the summer months, visit the west side of the lake to the Twenty Lakes Basin trailhead and an undulating, scenic 5-mile loop. 

Lundy Lake, at the base of Conway Summit, and just north of Lee Vining, is a popluar canyon for both it's spring wildflowers and fall color display.  A lodge on the lake shore offers boat rentals and basic services for campers and day visitors.

Just to the east of Yosemite National Park lies the one-of-a-kind Mono Lake, a body of water three times saltier than the ocean, marked by its alien-looking tufa towers and an array of unique wildlife. Starting at the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center in Lee Vining to learn about its unique history, geology and ecology, families can explore the wild tufa towers at South Tufa, take a canoe ride on its saline waters, or join one of the many hikes, bird watching trips or other activities put on by the Mono Lake Committee. For more information, go to www.monocounty.org/places-to-go/mono-lake/.