Long Valley Caldera

Long Valley Caldera is a 20 by 10 mile caldera located in Eastern California, not too far from the town of Mammoth Lakes. The caldera is a result of a super eruption 760,000 years ago, estimated to be more than 2000 times the eruption by Mount St. Helen’s in 1980. This eruption released more than 150 cubic miles of magma from a depth of 4 miles beneath the Earth’s surface. The Earth's crust sank more than a mile after the magma was ejected, forming the large caldera. More information on Long Valley Caldera: Long Valley Caldera - USGS and Fact Sheet USGS

Crowley Columns

Our long weekend started at the southern boundary of Long Valley Caldera, at Crowley Lake. We started down a dirt road 2 miles away of Layton Springs Road (labeled 3S151A) in our low clearance 2WD sedan but quickly had to turn back as our car was bottoming out. We found a parking spot at the start of the dirt road and began our unshaded hike down the 4x4 road. We packed our packs and headed for the columns. Soon after we started, we turned right on a road labeled 3S151. We guessed on this turn since it had a sign explaining the fishing regulations at Crowley Lake.

Trail to Crowley Lake columns

Walking along this road for 5 miles eventually took us to Crowley Lake’s beach. We were passed by a Jeep who quickly made their way to the beach. They were the only other people we saw on this road. Several tall mountains stood in the horizon over the blue Crowley Lake which made up for the rather “boring” trail we were walking. Once at the beach, we turned left and walked along the shore for about a mile.

Short Columns at Crowley Lake, California - Note the tops of the columns sticking up above the sand

Short columns of rock stood before us at the first cove where we enjoyed our picnic lunches. Each column was segmented into smaller sections and separated by relatively even spacing from other columns. This was caused by melted snow boiling as it made contact with hot volcanic ash that was laid down after a super eruption 760,000 years ago. Erosion by the waters of Crowley Lake slowly exposed these columns, and drought made it accessible to the walking public. There are an estimated 5000 of these columns in a 2 to 3 square mile area, though not all of them are exposed

Playing peek-a-boo at the tall columns at Crowley Lake, California

Walking a couple of coves down the beach, we discovered an even taller set of columns. The exposed columns were only a few deep, but we were able to walk in, between them and be surrounded by them.

View from amongst the columns, Crowley Lake, California

There were many columns that still lay hidden in the ashes, some upright and some tilted at angles resembling fossils. We also explored a few shallow caves along the way, some with columns inside them.

Shallow cave with columns inside, Crowley Lake, California

After about a mile's walk along the shore of Crowley Lake, we decided to head back. On our way back we noticed circular flat rocks lining the shore as if fallen from their columns. Some of the columns stick up at the top like metal rods. It's possible that there are other ways to get to these columns via other roads (ie. Owen Gorge Road or Layton Springs Road) We did not explore alternatives after our hike. It was a good hike, exploring these natural rock columns that have such similarity to man-made structures long hidden from the human eye.

Horseshoe Lake

Horseshoe Lake is known for its high level of carbon dioxide emitted from magma chambers below the surface. These high CO2 levels are released into the soil suffocating the root systems of trees in the area, thereby causing over 100 acres of kill zone near the lake.

Horseshoe Lake, near Mammoth Lakes, California - an area of hazardous levels of CO2

In areas where trees are being killed, CO2 concentrations are 20-95% of the gas content of soil, compared to the normal level of less than 1%. It seemed contradictory initially for me that plants are being killed by CO2; I had always understood that plants use CO2 to produce oxygen. Further clarification indicated that the leaves of plants use CO2, but the root systems require direct oxygen absorption. CO2 is heavier than air and accumulates in cabins, tents, depressions, snowbanks and anywhere with poor ventilation whether above or below ground. Breathing in air with more than 7% CO2 may cause unconsciousness and death. In 2006, three members of a ski patrol team died on Mammoth Mountain as they fell into a snow pit.

Over 100 acres of tree kill zone caused by high CO2 levels emitted by the magma chamber below, Horseshoe Lake, CA

In the summer, Horseshoe Lake shrinks in size, exposing a sizeable sandy shore, though there are many signs advising against sitting, picnicking or sunbathing on the beach, due to the high CO2 levels. Caution signs also advise against bringing kids and pets onto the beach or any depressions, though we saw many dogs playing on the beach seemingly unharmed. We decided to play it safe and stay on higher ground as we walked the 1.7 mile loop trail around the lake, making sure the little ones don't stop to dig during our short hike. Most of the trail affords a view of the blue lake. We walked past a couple of free standing fireplaces along our trail, probably the remnants of homes of the past. We had to yield many times to families on bikes. It looked like a nice path for bikers, fairly flat and shaded. More information on biking trails at the Lakes Basin Area here.

Cautionary signs warning of CO2 Hazards at Horseshoe Lake, near Mammoth Lakes, California

Hot Creek Geologic Site

Hot Creek is a place where the bubbling blue pools and boiling fountains flow alongside lush tall green grasses. The short hike ( about a mile) took us alongside this interesting Creek where we saw many people stripping down to their bathing suits to go for a dip. Many signs recommended against swimming in this hot Creek because temperatures can rise over 100F in a matter of seconds.

Blue bubbling pools at Hot Creek Geologic Site, near Mammoth Lakes, California

While we were there, we noticed fences that were swallowed in a pool of boiling water, a testament to the changes in geothermal activity. Look out for mineral formations of previous bubbling pools that have since dried out. Yet another indication of the dynamic environment of this region.

Lush green vegetation at Hot Creek Geologic Site, near Mammoth Lakes, California

Inyo Craters

The Inyo Craters are a chain of three volcanic craters that are on the summit and south slope of Deer Mountain. The two southernmost craters are about 200 feet deep and over 600 feet in diameter. Both these craters have water within them. The northernmost crater on Deer Mountain summit is the smallest and dry. All were formed within hours or days of each other in the 14th century by steam explosion. Rising magma encountered water and burst into steam. The explosions occurred from north to south in succession. In combination with the Mono craters to the north, the Mono-Inyo Chain are a 18 mile chain of craters, lava domes and lava flows. It is in this volcanic complex that volcanologist predict that the next eruption will be within this region. The most recent eruption also occurred in this chain of craters about 300 years ago, at Paoha Island, at the north end of the Mono-Inyo Chain-of-Craters complex.

One of the Inyo Craters - southernmost - near Mammoth Lakes, California

This hike was a short 1 mile return hike to the two southernmost craters. The drive in was on unpaved road of packed sand and gravel with several large potholes, but we made it safely with our low clearance 2WD sedan with a fairly experienced dirt road driver in charge of the wheel. The hike was a gentle uphill to the first two craters. We started towards the third crater on fairly loose sand but bushes, roots and rocks helped with our footing. We were pretty close to the top when one of my kids got swarmed by yellow jackets. With 6 bites on his head and neck, we decided to call it a day and head back to the car in case of an allergic reaction (and for pain medication). Amazingly, his hive-like reaction dissipated within an hour of the bites, and so did the pain. Ironically, the one bite on my finger, swelled to cover half my hand which lasted for 2 days. Better me than him.

Obsidian Dome

Our last stop of our long weekend was at Obsidian Dome. Obsidian Dome is an almost 1-mile long, and 400 foot high dome of lava cooled to obsidian of different textures. Some obsidian have more gas bubbles than others, though chemically similar in composition compared to its counterparts. Obsidian with more gas bubbles in them would not make good arrowheads.

Obsidian Dome, near Mammoth Lakes, California

Half a mile walk got us inside the dome, surrounded by many magnificent shapes and angles of rocks of different colors. Here the trail continued in different directions. Walk as much or as little as you’d like. The trail we chose seemed to keep going a fair ways. We walked about a mile more roundtrip amongst these moon-like rocks before we called it a day. Bonus if you have kids who play Minecraft - tell them you're going obsidian mining. You'll have to figure out what to say when they actually want to mine obsidian.

Moon-like environment of the Obsidian Dome, near Mammoth Lakes, California

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