It will take decades before people walk on Mars, but you don't have to wait that long to explore other-worldly places. Mono County on the eastern side of California's Sierra Nevada is full of them.

When NASA scientists sought examples of geologic forms existing on Mars, they visited Mono Lake to study its limestone tufa towers. The scientists wanted to know whether the tufas might house tiny microorganisms that thrive in hostile environments which, if found on Mars, would prove the existence of extraterrestrial life. NASA found three new species of bacteria living in salty, alkaline, sulfuric muck deep below Mono Lake where life-producing oxygen is non-existent, supporting the idea that if life survives there, it might also exist on Mars.

Begin your "Mars on Earth" exploration at the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center north of Lee Vining to get briefed on the science of Mono Lake. Then, stop by the Mono Lake Committee Information Center in Lee Vining for directions to beaches from which to swim or kayak and trails that lead to the Mono Craters, remnants of ancient volcanoes that erupted 750,000 years ago. Though the craters seem small in comparison to nearby 13,000-foot Sierra peaks, the trail leading to them gains nearly 3,000 feet. If the climb doesn't take your breath away, the view will.

From Crater Mountain (9,172 ft.), vestiges of Mono County's geologic past are seen. Wisps of steam across this landscape indicate the presence of hot springs. In Old Benton, southeast of Mono Lake, horseback riders soak away the trail in spring-fed tubs, while east of the Town of Mammoth Lakes, scalding blue pools turn nearby Hot Creek into a natural spa. Getting there, you'll pass a power plant which taps this geothermal energy to produce 48 megawatts of power. Call ahead (760-934-4893) and they'll give you a tour of the plant which resembles a space launch facility.

Imagine the excitement at mission control, were the Mars rover to discover a geologic site as impressive as Devil's Postpile National Monument. This geologic wonder, west of Mammoth Lakes, is one of the world's finest examples of columnar basalt with symmetrical hexagons of rock rising 60 feet.

It is extraterrestrial landscapes like these that makes one wonder, why wait 20 years to travel to Mars when Mono County can be explored today?

More information is available at visit monocounty.org or by calling (800) 845-7922.