black point fissures

black point fissures印象

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  Tessaanddennis

  My answer is yes - but then I am an adventurer; like a challenge (especially if I think I can succeed), and am interested in all things geographic/geological. But is it for you? Here's some facts and opinions to help you make a decision. See the internet to get the full geological detail, but this is one of the few volcanoes formed underwater, that is now above water. The local Info office will give you a one page leaflet with an access map and history, but this is limited, could be better in my view, and implied to me access would not be a major problem .... with a 4X4 - no problem; but with a 2 w/d - yes - difficult! Having entered Cemetary Rd from the main road, after 1m of tarmac, you then have some 4m good dirt road. Then you take a right onto a rough dirt rd for about 4m to the car park. This is well used by 4X4's, consequently with 2 deep wheel ruts, and a high middle ridge to negotiate, all within a 'canyon' of sharp local scrub - if your not careful you could scratch your hire car on this! Not an easy drive, especially with a nervous wife next to you - but doable! So that's the access 'problem'. Next problem - finding the fissures! Having got to the car park, there is no trail to the fissures, and they are not marked on the leaflet! The obvious way to go of course is up to the top of the volcano, but that is harder than you think in the heat (despite being at a high altitude). And the local scrub is viciously sharp! Some say wear long trousers, but they are hot, and with care you can easily weave a way up the soft loose volcanic 'soil'. Whatever - you will likely get some scratches! And like all 'hills', one 'conquered' crest seems to lead inexorably to a few more - before you actually reach the top - to find no fissures! Trainers are OK for this, but you will get 'volcanic sand'/ash in them!Basically you are on the volcanic crater lip now. Look around and you should faintly see a line/change of vegetaion lower down to the north, north east. (see picture) This is where the fissures are, running NW/SE, probably 'marking' what was the centre of the volcanic 'dome' - about 500 yards away? Basically the 'fissures' are a staggered, overlapping line of very dry 'slot' canyons, varying in depth up to 20m deep. Their most intresting feature is the pure white calcite formations deposited on the walls (when they were under water of course) where the volcanic gasses would have escaped (see pictures) . I only explored the SE end due to time/wife contraints.So there it is. If you are still interested you need around 2 hours at the VERY minimum I believe, no 3 really to do the site any real justice. You do not need a torch in the 'canyons'.Besides the fissures, the top of Black Point is also worth visiting for the great view of Mono Lake.Of course while in the area DO NOT miss the spectacular tufa towers on the Mono lake south shore at Navy Beach off 120East (Mono Lake Basin Rd) ; The Obsidian dome off Obsidian Dome Rd via US395; & the Devil's Postpile near Mammoth