A National Monument In California That Was Created By Lava That Formed Vertical Joints In The Shape Of Hexagons
At the western base of Mammoth Mountain, along the canyon of the Middle Fork San Joaquin River, lies Devils Postpile National Monument. This national monument named after Beelzebub is home to more than 100 species of birds and many mammals, including black bears, pine martens, mule deer and coyotes - making the area an excellent place for wildlife watching.
What makes the Devils Postpile so unusual is that less than 100,000 years ago, a lava flow spawned these odd structures. They’re basalt columns, which are not exactly uncommon…but what is uncommon is that each column in the Devils Postpile is hexagonal. There happens to be a similar formation on the coast of Northern Ireland called the Giant’s Causeway - which comes with a legend about a Gaelic giant. The California formation is more science-based.
“After the volcanic shift, the molten lava cooled slowly causing vertical joints, and cracks in the rocks formed due to expansion, creating the multi-sided columns, “explains Wes Hildreth, Geologist, USGS. “The basalt columns formed naturally into hexagonal columns. The columns then came into contact with a massive moving glacier that left highly visible glacial striations and a glacial polish. As our climate continues to change as we enter the second century of the National Park Service, Devils Postpile National Monument will become increasingly valuable for monitoring changes in plants, animals, and air quality.”
No matter how they were created, these columns are cool, and well worth exploring, as are other sites here. As many as 2,000 visitors per day enter the monument during the summer season and cross country skiers know this area to be a favorite destination day trip. Follow the 2.5-mile/4-km trail to breathtaking 101-foot/31-meter Rainbow Falls when you’re done photographing the rock formations. Also check out current evidence of volcanic activity at the monument’s soda spring area. Visitors can hike eight miles of trails at Devils Postpile National Monument and can also choose to venture outside the landmark’s boundaries to the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
To hike Devils Postpile, take the half-mile trail to the base, then continue uphill to the formation’s summit for incredible views. Or meander the 2.5-mile route from the ranger station to 101-foot Rainbow Falls.
Surrounded by Inyo National Forest, the area contains several of the busiest trailheads in the Sierra Nevada, providing wilderness access for hikers, pack animals, mountaineers and anglers. But the ominous name of the monument is well-deserved- any volcanic unrest has the potential to disrupt not only the local area, but could affect lifelines and infrastructure serving much of Southern California.
The site, located near Mammoth Lakes in the eastern Sierra, is small, only about 798 acres. It is buried under upwards of 400 inches of snow a year, so its visiting season is a short four months. Luckily, this area is a true winter wilderness experience, but travel into the valley can be hazardous.
“For those with proper avalanche safety skills and physical conditioning the valley offers outstanding touring and provides a gateway to the High Sierra backcountry,” said Whitney Lennon, a ski instructor and director of the Mammoth Lakes Tourism Association. “There are no facilities available in the valley in the winter and all travelers should be prepared to be self- sufficient. You might also remember that the bears in the area do not hibernate and will be scrounging for food.”
To get to the Devils Postpile from U.S. Highway 395, drive 10 miles west on S.R. 203 to Minaret Vista and then another 8 miles on a paved, steep mountain road. The Monument's coordinates are 37.6163 -119.0882.
No matter what season you are visiting the monument, the town of Mammoth Lakes is only 12 miles away offering lodging, shopping, a great library, craft beers and a nightlife scene. This ski town is less commercial than others , so you won’t get frustrated by the traffic or long waits at restaurants. There aren’t too many chains, and the shops and cafes have a local, family-run feel making the journey to the Devils Postpile.
“A trip there will be well worth your while, for the site's geology, like its human history, testifies as to why conservationists in the past and today have fought so hard to protect it, “ Hildreth said.
Candice Reed
A graduate of Kelsey-Jenny College in Communications as well as a certified grant writer, Candice has written for The Los Angeles Times & The New York Times. She loves entertaining and all things French.
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Mono County Eastern Sierra Campgrounds, a place of wild beauty and adventure. In California's Eastern Sierra, it is a land of high plains, dramatic alpine backdrops, and clear lakes and streams.