The Devils Postpile National Monument

The Devils Postpile is a National Monument located in the Mammoth Mountain area of California.

Mammoth Mountain is a year round outdoor sports area with snow skiing, boarding,  mountain climbing, biking, etc etc etc.  Anything you can think of is available.  Lakes for boating, swimming, fishing.  Cold and showy enough in winter that some roads are shut down and only accessible for a few summer months.

The mountain is actually a complex of lava domes in the Inyo National Forest in California.

It’s a breathtaking area with stunning scenery no matter what time of year you go.

And nearby is that strangely beautiful Devils Postpile

I never saw anything like it before or since.  I imagine there are other locations where the basalt has formed in a similar way, but I sure don’t know of any.

Other than the spiritual mountain I hear my people talk about, almost as a myth–The Devil’s Tower. in the Black Hills of Wyoming.  Also a National Mounument.  The photos I have seen make it even more mythical.

We hiked along the trail leading to the postpile.  it seems like it was an hour hike, but I’m sure it was shorter.  Was like 8 or 10 years ago when I was there.  Going in was an easy hike.  All downhill.

Coming back out was a sheer bitch of a hike.  But definitely worth it.  It’s a beautiful forest and then you reach the postpile.  Lots of waterfalls going in too.

This is Rainbow Falls on the way in to the Postpile.

I’ve had my share of back surgery so the hike out was hard, but just stop and enjoy the scenery while you rest a few times.  Like climbing a thousand stairs.

Remember, yopu are in the high Sierra Mountains.  Nearby is Yosemite.  This is a playground, but be careful.

Or rent horses, a great option!!

There is a map of the area here.

Climbing the Postpile was difficult but not impossible and reaching the top provided an incredible scene.

The Devils Postpile was established as a National Monument in 1911, so this summer is the Centennial and they have been celebrating their 100 year anniversary.

California is chock full of amazing sce3nery and stunning landscapes.  The Postpile is both.  Plus just a bit strange, which adds up to a site that you MUST see.

The Postpile is just that…..it looks like a mountain made of posts.  Pieces of the basalt break off and litter the ground, stacked like cordwood.  The broken posts can be ten feet long.

Here is a sweet vid of kayakers under one of the falls.

Here is a nice slide show of the Postpile and area.  And, yes it is against the law to climb on the Postpile.

Close your eyes at the start.  The kid is peeing.

Definitely go check out the Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls.  Check it off your list of California beauty,