Stop! See the Stone Giants of Stanislaus Forest

If you ask around or go online to look up where to see Basaltic Columns in California, you’re most probably going to be pointed to Devil’s Postpile. And that’s a great place to see them! However, did you know that there’s another place where you can see them; this one open for a longer period of the year, and is easier to get to, too. It’s called the Columns of the Giants.

Columns of the Giants

These Basaltic Columns are also on the Sierras and it was just by accident that I discovered them. We were on Sonora Pass, and on our way to the Eastern Sierra when I happened upon a sight of this site just off Highway 108. I thought I spotted some perpendicular rocks that looked like columns of Basalt, took a few drive-by shots and quickly looked it up. I soon learned it was called Columns of the Giants. And on our way back west, I made it a point to make a stop there. 

The Columns of the Giants lies within and is preserved by Stanislaus National Forest. And it can be accessed via a short trail just off California 108 or Sonora Pass, just before Dardanelle, if you are driving through from the west.

The Trail to the Columns

The trail to this geological site in Stanislaus National Forest is just around a half mile. From the parking lot, you go across a footbridge over Middle Fork Stanislaus River and a few bends in the trail to get to the foot of these columns.

How are Basaltic Columns formed?

Basaltic Columns are lava rocks, formed because of the Basalt content in them. When the lava cools down, the rock so formed begins to contract and crack. In the case of basaltic lava, when the cooling starts at the top, the rock solidifies into polygonal shapes and starts cracking downwards forming columns like these.

Snowmelt and water (in the case of columns near a water body) help the rocks settle faster, and the cracks appear more even. And in some cases you have glaciers play a role in polishing, tilting, even bending these columns of basalt.

Things to know before you go:

• This geological site is situated just of CASR 108/ Sonora Pass. It’s roughly between Dardanelle and Kennedy Meadows but you could miss it if you don’t have your maps set to it.
• For an address, you can set your navigation to Column of the Giants
• The walk to the columns is a short one. The trail is less than 1/2 mile.
• There are restrooms in the area.
• There is a campground near here, too
• There are no other services at this stop.
• This area is likely to be closed in winter and also a part of spring depending on the amount of snow the area gets.

Have you had a chance to visit —
The Basalt Columns of Devil’s Postpile in California, USA
Islands of Columnar Basalt off the Karnataka Coast in India

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