Located in Reds Meadow, ten miles from Mammoth Lakes, Devils Postpile features thousands of columns of basalt formed 100,000 years ago when a lava flow slowed and then cooled and cracked.

A mandatory shuttle bus is required during the busy summer months and is available at the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge area.

Many fallen columns now lie fragmented on the talus slope below. A hike to the top of the Postpile reveals not only a cross section of the posts, but the most interesting effect of the ice — polished tops on the basalt columns. Here, the column ends are exposed like a tiled floor and exhibit parallel striations where the glacier dragged rocks across them.

Summer / Fall - June through October

Fees: Road access fee

Pets accepted as long as they are on a leash.