Natural Wonders: Devil’s Postpile

The trip to Devil’s Postpile had been on the anvil for a long time! It took a while to take shape because I would think of it, decide to chart out a fall trip and before I knew it, the cold season would be upon us and Devils Postpile would be moved to the back burner! Neither is this National Monument in Eastern California open all year long nor are most of the roads that lead to it.

Devil’s Postpile National Monument lies on the top of the Western slope of the Sierras but you get there through the eastern slope. And the ‘postpile’ here is a large upright pile of Columnar Basalt — tall stony posts made of Basalt. If you’ve read the post on the basaltic columns on St. Mary’s Island in India, you might have seen a sample of this type of rock formation. (Those are shorter columns, and paired with the colors of the Arabian Sea, they make quite a pretty picture.) The columns here in Devil’s Postpile are taller and more defined in comparison, probably because it does not have to deal with sea-erosion. However, this part of the state does receive snow and this national monument is closed during the winter months. 

The Devils Postpile hikes

Our trip to the Postpile materialized on an August Day. It started at Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center where we bought tickets for our mandatory shuttle to Devil’s Postpile. A half-hour bus ride through the valley and some hills brought us to the Postpile shuttle-station. From there, we began our hike through a small meadow and up the hill to the National Monument. It was an easy hike beside the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. 

A slight ascent later we were at the foot of naturally-sculpted and geometrically-perfect columns that rose to a height of 60 feet. I was finally at Devil’s Postpile. It was a big item crossed off my travel wishlist! 

Hike 1 — To the Postpile 

After marveling at the shape and the neat faces of the columns, and staring at the bent ones on the left side of the pile, we took some pictures, read the information boards and began our next hike — this one to the top of the columns.

A park employer at the Ranger Station had told me that this hike would take us up another 100-odd feet and that it would be a bit of a climb. It started off with a steep ascent and then the trail zig-zagged halfway up, and then it was a gradual rise. By the time I reached the top, I was out of breath — more because of the rarified air than the uphill climb. The postpile is said to be at an elevation of over 7000ft. and our shuttle driver had reminded us that we were to keep ourselves hydrated especially if we were visiting from sea-level areas. 

Hike 2- To the top of the Basaltic Columns

Once at the top of the basaltic columns there were views of a meadow and that of the middle fork of the San Joaquin River flowing by. But what I was most amazed by was the top of the columns. They looked like hexagonal pavers put together by a master landscaper. Barring some chips on the surface, the surface looked quite smooth. The glacier that slid this way sure did a great job at polishing the top of those basaltic columns.

The Columnar Basalts of Devils Postpile

Wondering how this natural wonder came into being? It is believed that not more than 20,000 years ago, a stream of basaltic lava that was flowing down the Sierra Nevada mountains got dammed by a moraine. And then the pool of lava cooled and cracked vertically as basalt is known to do (the cracking happens so as to relieve stress in the rocks). The cracks formed then deepened and made these classic basaltic columns.

Columnar Basalts are said to form when the mineral composition in the basaltic lava is consistent and the cooling is slow and even. 

Coming back to the basalt columns at Devil’s Postpile, they were said to have been exposed when there was glacial activity (some 12,000 years ago) where the fork of the San Joaquin river now flows. When the soil and debris from the moraine were washed away, there stood the basaltic columns showing off their shapely faces. The ground of broken pieces of basalt at the bottom of the pile is said to be a collection of the remnants of erosion and earthquakes that the area has been subjected to in the centuries that followed the glacier. 

Things you need to know for the trip

If you are tripping between mid-July and September, you are expected to take the shuttle to the postpile. You can buy your tickets and board the bus at Mammoth Adventure Centre. 

It is recommended that you set aside at least 2 hours for your visit to the basaltic columns (additional time if you would like to do other hikes in the area). The shuttle takes around 30 minutes, one way.

The hike from the shuttle station to the Postpile is .4 miles. 

The hike to the top will take you an another 20 minutes and might make you feel a bit of altitude sickness.

Tips for the trip to Devils Postpile

Make sure you are wearing sensible shoes for the hike
Carry an extra layer of clothing. 
Drink lots of water to stay hydrated

ICYMI:
Islands of Basaltic Columns

Also from the area
Mono Lake
South Tufa Trail
Yosemite

Linking to —
Travel Photos blog hop
My Corner of the World
All Seasons

For tidbits from the road, Like/Follow Tipsy From The TRIP on  Facebook or Instagram
Come, Trip with us.  😉