The rolling hills of the diablo range, some of its trails, and even the summit of Mt. Diablo have been featured here on Tipsy from the Trip. Today, however, you’re going to see an almost hidden gem up in those mountains — Mt. Diablo’s Wind Caves in Mt. Diablo State Park.
These wind caves are situated in an area called Rock City, a little more than halfway up Mt. Diablo in Northern California. Rock City Wind Caves are open to the public, and you can either hike through here or just go explore the caves. Whatever you do, you’ll see yourself fascinated by the cavities on the rocks. (Taggers, Sorry!! 😐)
Some of them are small and some, a little larger, some large enough for a grown human being to get into. In some places, you will also see some interesting textures that have been exposed by the elements. These depressions, hollows, and caves in this Rock City are results of centuries of wind and water evaporation that took place here on the Diablo Range.
An information sign that’s installed there tells us that when the uplift of Mt. Diablo happened, the geological event exposed layers of sandstone that used to be ‘way below’ the surface of the earth. When these sandstone rocks were exposed, they were also exposed to rainwater, carbon dioxide, and California’s hot air.
The water from the rains and the carbon dioxide in the air are believed to have gone on to form some acidic water that ran over the rocks and seeped into them in several places. Now, this acidic water is said to have dissolved the calcite that cements the sand in these rocks, and then evaporated. The repeated evaporation of this erosive water during the Californian Summers seems to have led the weaker, softer sandstone to erode leaving behind these depressions and cavities.
Things to know when you plan your trip to Mt. Diablo’s Wind Caves–
- This attraction is within Mt. Diablo State Park, CA
- These Wind Caves are in the Rock City area of the park.
- There are a couple of parking lots for Rock City.
- Look for the signs on the way up to the summit. It’s on South Gate Road, to be precise.
- There are several trails around here.
- Make sure to carry water and some extra layers of clothing depending on what season you chose to visit.
- There are several picnic tables in this part of the state park so you might want to carry a picnic lunch.
Linking to
Our World
&
My Corner of the World
More:
From this State Park–
Vistas from California’s Devil Mountain
See also:
Shasta Caverns
Rocky Attractions on Tipsy from the TRIP
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Come, Trip with us. 😉 😉
fascinating holes – makes me wonder what caused them
It’s a combination of corrosion and erosion, Carol 🙂
Wow, this is so interesting. I had no idea these existed there. Thanks for the tour!
Isn’t it?
I went a second time to see it better. 😀
Thank you for coming along, Sara. 🙂
The very name Diablo sounds ominous.
These Devil Mountains got its name from a misunderstanding, I hear. The wilderness here was once said to have been referred to as thicket of the devil (monte del diablo) but later the ‘Monte’ in Spanish was mistaken as Mount and it stuck. 🙂
Looks a very interesting landscape. I imagine it’s taken thousands of years to shape a scenery like that.
It is. Really interesting, indeed.
… more like millions of years, I guess.
Thank you for visiting. I enjoyed reading your post on those mounds. That’s an amazing story, too. 🙂
Wow. Nature never ceases to amaze. #MCOW
Absolutely.
And I never get tired of rocky attractions. 😀
Thank you so much for your visit, Lydia. 🙂
They look like sandstone. Easier for erosion to shape them.
Amazing.
Absolutely! And we get some interesting formations to look at.
Thank you for coming this way, Dixie. 🙂
I grew up in and hve traveled throughout California but don’t remember the wind caves. Thanks for sharing, – Margy
This one’s in a quiet corner and easy to miss, Margy. I guess most people drive to the summit of Mt. Diablo, take in the views from the top and leave the state park. But I did find more people at the wind caves the second time I was up there.
Next time, Margy. 😉
I hope you are having a good week. 🙂
wow, what an interesting place. Can´t remember seeing images of this place before. Love it! A place made for exploration 🙂
It absolutely is. 🙂
It isn’t a very large place but there’s more there than you see in the pics. There’s even a trail through here. 🙂
Thank you for visiting, Monica. 🙂
Very interesting hole formations on those sandstone hills! It is always interesting to see what erosion can do and the power of the uplift.
Oh yes, erosion and uplift can carve such wonderful sculptures!
They are so fascinating.
Thank you for coming this way, Pat. 🙂
Such smooth edges. Nature’s art is awesome.
Awesome indeed.
Yeah, it is quite polished. Erosion has been taking place over here for ages, I believe.
Thank you for stopping by, Shiju. 🙂
Such a beautiful place…worth visiting,i have always liked such nature works.
Me too, yeah! Can’t get enough of rocky destinations like this! 😁
I hope you are doing well, Jyotirmoy. 🙂
You learn something new everyday. It looks like some graffiti in one of those wind caves.
Especially if you’re into blogging. 😉
Oh yes — the graffiti is the sad part. I noticed it but decided to look beyond it and ignore the taggers. 😐
Thank you for stopping by, Colleen. Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
Wonderful , Interesting post.
Hey Rupam,
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you so much. 🙂
What a fascinating place! Your photos are awesome.
Thanks for sharing your link at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
Isn’t it fascinating?!
Thank you, Betty.
Thank you also for hosting MCoW. 🙂
The wind caves are so fascinating!! If I could, I would have loved to see it happen.
-Soma
Aren’t they?!
That would be interesting. 🙂
Thank you for coming this way, Soma. 🙂
Amazing “artwork” – Mother nature is cool.
Nature’s artwork, indeed.
I just cannot get enough of places like this. 😀
Thank you, Iris. 🙂
Wow! Such wonderful natural formations. Did you sit inside one of those? 😉
These really are some interesting formations, no?
Gosh no! I didn’t sit in them even though they could fit me. :-\ And we’re allowed to get on these rocks, I believe.
Maybe, adutha pravishyam. 😀 It’s not very far from where we live. 😀
Thank you, Nomad.