Crowley Columns

5/5 (3 reviews)
Near Mammoth Lakes, California, and just outside the Long Valley Caldera in the Eastern Sierras sits this short trail leading to these unique, unnatural-looking stone columns along the shores of Crowley Lake. The Crowley Columns, while they appear to be man-made, are said to be natural formations cr... Read More
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Highlights of Crowley Columns

Desert Category Icon Desert
Forest Category Icon Forest
Iconic Category Icon Iconic
Sand Category Icon Sand
Scenic Category Icon Scenic
Highest Elevation
6979 ft
Shape of Trail
Out & Back
Typically Open
Year Round
Best Direction
West
Official Trail Name
Crowley Columns
Nearest Town
Mammoth Lakes
Nearest Services
Mammoth Lakes
Management Agency
Bureau of Land Management/City of Los Angels
District
BLM Bishop Field Office/LA Department of Water and Power

Overview

Near Mammoth Lakes, California, and just outside the Long Valley Caldera in the Eastern Sierras sits this short trail leading to these unique, unnatural-looking stone columns along the shores of Crowley Lake. The Crowley Columns, while they appear to be man-made, are said to be natural formations created by a combination of volcanic activity, ash, melting snow, and steam, about 3/4 million years ago. The columns remained buried for hundreds of thousands of years until the man-made reservoir of Crowley Lake began eroding away the softer materials around them starting in the early 1940s. Today these tall standing columns at the end of a short scenic off-road trail and short hike are a spectacular sight to see. Anyone from first-time off-roaders to experienced wheelers will enjoy this trail and the beautiful surrounding area.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Guide Overview
3 Waypoints
11 Trail Photos
1 Trail Concerns
3 Community Reviews
1 Video
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