Devil Postpile Monument, Pacific Crest

Devil’s Postpile is one of Nature’s most striking geological formations.  Towering basalt columns, formed by volcanic activity around 100,000 years ago, rise up to 60ft (18m) in near-perfect hexagonal shapes.  These columns were created when lava cooled slowly and cracked into symmetrical patterns, later exposed by glacial erosion.

Despite its volcanic origins, Devils Postpile supports a thriving ecosystem of pine Forests, wildflowers, and wildlife.  The national monument was once considered for destruction to build a dam, but influential figures like John Muir advocated for its protection.  Their efforts led President William Howard Taft to designate it as a protected area in 1911.

Not far from the monument is Rainbow Falls, a 101ft (31m) cascade plunging into the lake below.  Nestled among rugged peaks, the lake, with its crystal-clear waters, offers a serene alpine escape.