Devils Postpile National Monument, California

Devils Postpile National Monument preserves a columnar basalt formation in Madera County, in eastern California. The national monument covering 798 acres (323 ha) has two main attractions: Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls.

The Devils Postpile is a cliff comprising columnar basalt compact together. It was created by lava flow between 100,000 years ago and 700,000 years ago, date depending on the type of dating method employed. The columns measure about 2 feet (0.61 m) in diameter and up to 60 feet (18 m) in length. They got their name from their appearance like tall posts stacked in a pile.

Devils Postpile National Monument, California
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Devils_postpile_NM.jpg
Author: Cooper


Due to the slow cooling process of the lava, the columns are thick and symmetrical. Columnar jointing occurs when the lava contracts when it cooled. The surface of the columnars were then polished by glacier.

Devils Postpile is similar to volcanic features found elsewhere in the world, notably Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, Fingal's Cave in Scotland, Garni Gorge in Armenia, Cyclopean Isles near Sicily, Sheepeater Cliff at Yellowstone National Park and others.

Rainbow Waterfall, Devils Postpile National Monument
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rainbow_fall_at_Devils_Postpile_National_Monument.jpg
Author: Mila Zinkova


Devils Postpile National Monument was originally part of Yosemite National Park. However, a boundary change following the discovery of gold near Mammoth Lake in 1905 left it on public land. The site was nearly destroyed when a proposed hydroelectric dam project required the Postpile to be blasted. However influential Californians managed to persuade the federal government to discontinue the project. On 6 July, 1911, President William Howard Taft declared it a national monument.

Visiting Devils Postpile National Monument, California

Devils Postpile National Monument is located in the Mammoth Lakes area. Take US Highway 395 and exit to California State Route 203 (Minaret Road) heading west. Park at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and use the mandatory shuttle from there. The shuttle buses operate from mid-June through the Wednesday after Labor Day. Only those who arrive before 7:00 am or after 7:30 pm and overnight guests at Red Meadow Resort do not have to use the shuttle system. The shuttle fee is $7 per adult and $4 per child aged 3 to 15.

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