Devils Postpile National Monument is
one of the most unique attractions in Mammoth Lakes
. Its fascinating natural history and spectacular setting in the midst of the Sierra Nevada mountains make it deserving of a top spot on your Mammoth Lakes itinerary, and a must-stop spot on an Eastern Sierra road trip.
How long does it take to get to Devils Postpile?
Discover this 1.30 mile, loop trail near Mammoth Lakes, California. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of
41 min
to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Can you drive Devils Postpile?
When the Devils Postpile/Reds Meadow Shuttle Bus is not running, you may drive your vehicle into the valley
. Keep in mind that the road is narrow, steep, and descends almost 1,500 vertical feet from the Minaret Vista Station, where visitors pay a standard amenity fee of $10.
Why are Devils Postpile hexagonal?
The basalt columns – like the giant’s causeway in Ireland – 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. Three geologic features make the Devils Postpile unique.
How far is Devils Postpile from Mammoth?
How far is it from Mammoth Lakes to Devils Postpile National Monument? It is
7 miles
from Mammoth Lakes to Devils Postpile National Monument. It is approximately 13.8 miles to drive.
What caused Devils Postpile?
GEOLOGIC STORY
Current studies suggest that the Devils Postpile was formed less than 100,000 years ago when
a cooling lava flow cracked into multisided columns
. Other well-known examples of COlumnar-jointed lava are the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland and Fingal’s Cave in Scotland.
Is Devils Postpile Open 2020?
Alert, Severity, closure, Reds Meadow Road and Devils Postpile National Monument are
closed for the season
.
How do you get to the Devils Postpile National Monument?
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
. Please note that this road is single lane for approximately 3 miles. Most visitors must park at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and use the mandatory shuttle.
How long is the shuttle ride to Devils Postpile?
6 to Devils Post- pile Formation Devils Post- pile Formation 0.4mi/0.6km one-way ~
15 to 20 min
~ Easy – Wide, level trail through shaded lodgepole forest. Moderate, steep hike to the top of the Postpile.
Is Uber in Mammoth Lakes?
Is there Uber or Lyft in Mammoth Lakes? Until recently no, however
there is a few Uber vehicles driving in Mammoth Lakes
. I would not expect the same level of service as major cities, as there may or may not be a driver available at the time you need to be picked up.
What kind of rock is Devils Postpile?
Devils Postpile National Monument is renowned for its spectacular display of
columnar-jointed basalt
(a common formation of multiple columns of rock). Although smaller, it rivals the columnar-jointing displays at Fingal’s Cave in Scotland and Giant’s Causeway in Ireland.
Is Devils Postpile trail open?
Devils Postpile National Monument and the Reds Meadow Valley are
open 24 hours per day, seven days per week
during the operating season.
Can dogs go to Devils Postpile?
Pets are allowed in the campground and day use areas as well as on trails but must be on a leash at all times within the monument
. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Disposable plastic bags are provided at the monument trailhead for your convenience. Dogs are allowed on leash on the shuttle buses.
Do you need a reservation for Devils Postpile?
The Devils Postpile Ranger Station does not issue reservation or walk-in wilderness permits. Permits can be issued for the day of entry or the day before (starting at 11:00 am).
Backcountry users interested in obtaining a reservation must use the online reservation system
.
What is the youngest unit of the western foothills?
The youngest rocks, the
Foothills Terrane
, are on the west side of the belt and on the bottom of the stack. This is the opposite of what we normally see in sedimentary rocks.
How tall is the Devil’s Tower?
General Information. How tall is Devils Tower? Devils Tower is
867 feet from its base to the summit
. It stands 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River and is 5,112 feet above sea level.
When did Devils Postpile become a national park?
| The Devils Postpile National Monument | Area 798 acres (323 ha) | Created July 6, 1911 | Visitors 109,571 (in 2017) | Governing body National Park Service |
|---|
Can you drive to Rainbow Falls in Mammoth?
It is known for the colorful rainbow that its mist creates. The best time to experience the rainbows is midday, when the sun is highest. The mandatory shuttle is operated by Eastern Sierra Transit and boards at Mammoth Adventure Center.
Personal vehicle travel is allowed outside of the shuttle season
.
Is Devils Postpile igneous rock?
In addition to the basalt columns, Quaternary (2.6 million years ago to the present) extrusive volcanic rocks and Cretaceous (145.5 to 65.5 million years ago)
intrusive igneous rocks
form the landscape of Devils Postpile National Monument.
How was Devils Tower formed?
Geologists agree that Devils Tower
began as magma, or molten rock buried beneath the Earth’s surface
. What they cannot agree upon are the processes by which the magma cooled to form the Tower, or its relationship to the surrounding geology of the area.
Where did the Sierra Nevada form in the Mesozoic?
In
Southern California
, this volcanic arc would develop throughout the Mesozoic Era to become the geologic regions known as the Sierra Nevada Batholith, the Peninsular Ranges Batholith, (in the Peninsular Ranges), and other plutonic and volcanic centers throughout the greater Mojave Desert region.
Is Devils Postpile Open 2021?
The entirety of Devils Postpile National Monument is
CLOSED to all public entry beginning September 1, 2021
.
Is Rainbow Falls in Mammoth open?
The Falls is accessible when the Monument is open.
The Monument operates seasonally, typically from mid-June through mid-October
. During operating season it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Ranger Station is open from 9:00am to 5:00 pm daily.
How do I get to Minaret Vista?
Located within Mammoth Mountain Ski Area but open to the public with no fee required, this trail starts from behind the Mammoth Mountain Inn and climbs gently for 1.5 miles through a forest of red fir and lodgepole pine, following the course of Minaret Road to the parking and picnic area at Minaret Vista.
