Crowley lake columns formation in california
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Visitors should prepare accordingly—there are no facilities, and conditions can be harsh in both summer and winter.
While the site remains open to the public, geologists and conservationists caution visitors to avoid climbing on or damaging the fragile structures.
This is the “parking” area.
The Hike:
Distance: 4 miles
Type of Trail: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 515 feet
Other important notes:
- Dogs are allowed
- There is no fee for this trail
- Water levels matter!
candidate at UC Berkeley, provided new insight. You can park on the side of the dirt path if you’re in the same boat (or I guess I should say vehicle). Their formation reveals how post-eruption environments can produce complex and unexpected rock textures.
Hiking remains an option for visitors wishing to admire these exceptional formations up close. Not even a bathroom or water.
- Sun Protection: There’s no shade anywhere unless you’re under the columns. You might not be able to see the columns if the water level is high during the rainy season.
Trust me, the road’s mix of deep ruts, steep inclines, and sandy stretches make for a tough drive, don’t do it unless you’re 1000% confident.
But don’t let this deter you; the walk is incredibly scenic, surrounded by majestic mountains and desert shrubbery.
The path isn’t much of a hike as it’s more like a dirt road you’ll follow.
As this layer began to settle and compact over time, snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada would seep through the cracks.
The water, being cold, interacted with the hot ash layers, creating steam. This project, although fraught with environmental controversy, contributed to the discovery and gradual exposure of the columns through wave action eroding the volcanic tuff cliffs.
The site, located approximately 16 kilometers south of Mammoth Lakes, is accessible via off-road trails or by boat.
Over millennia, the erosion from the steam combined with the effects of freezing and thawing water sculpted these ash layers into the distinctive columns we see today.
Want to know what it feels like to step into another world? Towering up to 20 feet high and arranged in tight rows and arches, these unusual stone pillars were shaped not by human hands, but by a rare combination of volcanic activity, hydrothermal convection, and mineral cementation that began over 760,000 years ago.
The Long Valley Caldera Eruption
The story of the Crowley Lake Columns begins with one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in the geologic history of North America.
The Crowley Lake Columns, located in California, are a unique geological formation that intrigues scientists and geology enthusiasts.
This spot offers a mix of natural beauty, mystery, and adventure. This cold water sank, was heated, and then rose back up as steam—creating vertical convection cells similar to heat pipes.
Though they appear solid, the columns are susceptible to breakage and erosion. Long hidden beneath layers of volcanic ash, they were gradually exposed by erosion from the Crowley Reservoir, created in 1941.
The reservoir was built as part of the Los Angeles Water Management System to store water from the Owens River and meet the city's growing water needs.
The final approach requires either a 4WD vehicle or a moderate 2-mile hike across sandy terrain with little shade. The site also underscores the ongoing interaction between water, heat, and rock—a dynamic system that shapes volcanic landscapes for tens of thousands of years after an eruption.
As research continues, scientists hope to apply findings from Crowley Lake to similar deposits in other volcanic regions, including New Mexico, Iceland, and Mexico, where tuffaceous rocks exhibit unusual internal textures but lack the exposure seen here.
| Pleistocene-era volcanic columns at Crowley Lake, Mono County. |
Key Facts at a Glance
- Location: Eastern shore of Crowley Lake, Mono County, CA
- Age: ~760,000 years (Long Valley Caldera eruption)
- Composition: Rhyolitic tuff with silica and zeolite cementation
- Formation Process: Hydrothermal convection, not columnar jointing
- Number of Columns: Estimated ~5,000
- Size: Up to 20 feet tall, spaced ~1 ft apart
- Color: Gray to red-orange
- Best Time to Visit: Fall and spring, when lake levels are low
- Access: 4WD or ~2-mile hike; no public facilities
Eastern perspective of Crowley Lake's Pleistocene-era basalt columns, showcasing hexagonal jointing from volcanic cooling fractures. |
Visiting the Crowley Lake Columns
To reach the columns:
- Travel south from Mammoth Lakes on Highway 395 for about 10 miles.
- Turn east toward Crowley Lake via Rock Creek Road, then follow access roads to the shoreline.
- The columns can be accessed by foot, boat, or four-wheel-drive vehicle, depending on lake levels and trail conditions.
- A 0.5-mile hike leads to the main clusters, rated as moderately difficult due to loose footing and seasonal variation.
| Close-up of Crowley Lake column interiors, revealing rare hydrothermal mineralization patterns in volcanic tuff from Pleistocene eruptions. |
Photographers often find the geometric patterns of the columns fascinating, especially when they're partially submerged or when the light hits them at certain angles, creating dramatic shadows and reflections.
Crowley Lake's dramatic hydrothermally cemented tuff columns. |
Visitors interested in geology, natural formations, and photography often find the Crowley Lake Columns to be a captivating destination, showcasing the beauty and intricacies of volcanic geological processes.
We had a yummy egg souffle before getting to the Columns and some of the best scones I’ve ever had that we ate after the hike.
Final Thoughts
The Crowley Lake Columns are well worth visiting if you’re in the area.