It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the Sierra Nevada in Mono County.

[2] The Carex tiogana sedge grows in clumps of stems up to 75 mm (3.0 in) long.

The narrow, rough-edged leaves are sickle-shaped.

[1] It grows in meadows and next to lakes at elevations of 3,090–3,310 m (10,140–10,860 ft).

[3] This sedge is very similar to Carex capillaris and some authors argue it should be treated as a subtaxon of that species.