Mammoth Lakes offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation. Those in the know come to Mammoth Lakes to hike, bike, climb, and paddle in the summer. Come winter, the draw is slashing powder or just taking in the iconic snow-covered vistas. Yet, this remarkable landscape is so much more than just a beautiful backdrop to active pursuits.
The story of the area’s formation will help you appreciate its uniqueness and understand why it’s such a draw. Watch as USAL founder Michael Washington and Sam Reese visit four of Mammoth’s geological sites to learn more about the natural forces that have shaped the area: Mono Lake, Hot Creek, Devils Postpile, and Crowley Lake.
Mono Lake is one of the continent’s oldest lakes and is home to tufa towers, unique features that have taken thousands of years to form. The lake formed at least 760,000 years ago, by the same forces that created the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The lake is closed off, and evaporation and mineral accumulation make it roughly twice as salty as the ocean.
At Hot Creek Geological Site, spring waters run into a volcanic depression known as the Long Valley Caldera. The active hydrothermal system keeps the waters at a temperature that trout love, making the area a haven for anglers. The views are epic, too. On occasion, the site will experience geyser-like eruptions due to shifts in geothermal pressure beneath the surface.
Devils Postpile National Monument formed roughly 100,000 years ago when cooling lava contracted and broke into hexagonal columns. The formation serves as one of the world’s best examples of columnar basalt. Seasonal access gives hikers the chance to see the formation and the 101-foot–high Rainbow Falls along the way.
Another protected geological site is Crowley Lake. Here, winds, waves, and fluctuating lake levels slowly erode the softer rock of the former volcano, leaving behind these unique stone columns along the shore.
All told, the Mammoth Lakes region’s history of volcanic activity and different forms of erosion has created some of the country’s most unique natural attractions. It’s a location that’s sure to offer memorable experiences, no matter how you choose to explore its many scenic features.
Mammoth Lakes Tourism sponsored this article.
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