If you’ve ever visited Mono Lake, you will have passed by a one lane unpaved road with a small nondescript sign that can easily go unnoticed, reading “Panum Crater”. During a recent Mono Lake visit (see blog post here), my curiosity peaked and I made the turn, discovering a treasure trove of history as eery as Mono Lake itself…and located just a stones throw away!

A California Volcano

How did I not know we have volcanoes in the California’s Eastern Sierras? Starting over 40,000 years ago, a series of volcanic eruption‘s began forming the Mono Lake craters, which are currently the youngest mountain range in North America. Panum Crater was formed by the most recent eruption, just over 600 years ago. It is the northern most crater and the most accessible of all the Mono Lake craters.

Panum Crater is a plug dome and rhyolitic volcano, a volcano with large amounts of silica (Quartz) in its lava. The silica content at Panum Crater is extremely high at 76 percent. This has helped create stunning obsidian, a beautifully reflective dark volcanic glass.

Formation & Future Eruptions

While not quite this simple, a short story of how this Crater was formed is: When rising hot magma and water were prevented from boiling by the pressure of the overlying ground, there was a superheating and explosion that blasted through the Earth's surface to carve out a crater half a mile across. Meanwhile, magma ascended through the newly made channel, rising into a 200-foot-high mound in the center of the crater. Pretty cool huh?

Geologists are continually monitoring Panum crater for possible future eruptions. This is because the volcano isn’t extinct, but just dormant. It’s believed there is a 20% chance of a volcanic eruption happening here within the next hundred years.

Hiking

There are two great hikes from the trailhead, Plug Trail and Rim Trail. Plug trail is the shorter of the two hikes, at just 1 mile round-trip. Plug trail will actually take you inside the plug of the volcano, a very unique experience where you’ll be surrounded by heaps of beautiful obsidian.

Rim Trail is the hike to take if you want incredible unobstructed views of Mono Lake below. On this 1.5 mile loop you will actually have the opportunity to hike around the rim of the crater, a very cool experience.

Both hikes are wonderful and not overly challenging, so you can easily plan to explore both on one day.

How to Get Here

You can reach Panum Crater by taking the US-395 to Mono Lake Basin Road (Highway 120) as if you were heading towards South Tufa and Navy Beach at Mono Lake. Look for a small sign to your left with an arrow saying Panum Crater, and turn left. Take this one-lane gravel road (Mono Craters Road) for just under a mile, and you’ll arrive at the parking area and trail head. Here you’ll find information about the crater and room for approximately 20 cars to park.

I’ve heard some people complain about the lack of signage to find the crater, but I personally love that…it keeps it a bit hidden and elusive. If you keep your eyes peeled for both the road sign and the massive crater itself, you won’t miss your turn off 😉

Important facts to keep in mind when visiting:

• There is no shade along either of the trails, so make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and dress accordingly. It can get incredibly hot here in the Summer, and snow can fall quickly in the Winter.
• The closest restrooms are nearly two miles away at the South Tufa Trail parking area.
• Dogs are allowed here on leash. However, I would be very cautious about bringing them unless you have proper footwear for paw protection, as obsidian is abundant on both trails and can be sharp enough to cut into a dog’s pawpad.
• The closest food, gas station and restrooms with plumbing is nearly 8 miles away located at the 395/Tioga Road intersection.

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Whether your heading into Yosemite National Park, adventuring up at Mammoth Mountain, or enjoying the serene Mono Lake, be sure to stop off for an encounter with this California volcano!

For more Panum Crater views, make sure to check out the Behind the Blog video below. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!

Panum Crater - A California Volcano