Devil's Postpile

200610014 Mammoth Long Valley 053
Originally uploaded by moheroy.

Devil's Postpile National Monument is near Mammoth Lakes, just East of Yosemite in California. It is a really great example of columnar jointing in basalt. Unlike the famous Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, the perspective here is from below so when you look up it is really impressive. And since you can climb up to the top you also get the really neat hexagonal pavement effect as well.

Sadly these days the National Park Service requires you to take a shuttle bus out to see it, and while it is kind of neat it is probably not worth the hassle, since there are so many other interesting things to see in the area. Especially if you have already seen similar formations and are pressed for time. Luckily for me I was there in October just before the park closed and they pretty much left you to your own devices and I was able to drive to the trailhead myself.