Inyo Craters - Inyo National Forest, Mammoth Lakes, California

A little ways outside of the town of Mammoth Lakes are the Inyo Craters.  They're basically big holes in ground, formed about 650 years ago when magma rising up (from wherever it is that magma rises up from) hit the water table and caused a series of three big steam explosions.  The three craters are said to have been formed at almost the same time, perhaps even on the same day.  The easiest one to see is about 200 feet deep and about 660 feet in diameter, with a small lake at the bottom.

To get to the Inyo Craters you drive a short distance along an unpaved forest road, then hike about 0.8 miles through the forest.  When we visited it was nice to have the whole place to ourselves for most of the time we were there.

A remnant of volcanic activity.

Here's a chipmunk's view of the forest.  I didn't pose this pine cone - I really did find it just like that.

It's a pretty steep drop in some spots, and the US Forest Service has put up some guard rails and an interpretive panel to explain what you are looking at.  The guard railing has seen better days I think.

There was a light on-and-off rain when we were there earlier this month.  The forest was quite nice to walk in.  There is sort of a trail almost all the way around the crater.

Click here to see a few more images.