A walk through the columns at Crowley Lake is a trip into prehistoric time: The alien-looking site was formed 760,000 years ago by a volcanic explosion. Click the icon in the lower righthand corner of the player to expand the video.

Hidden in one of California’s least populated counties, the columns at Crowley Lake are not easily found. Including a map, this is how I reached the trailhead.

Even from a distance, the ancient columns bordering Crowley Lake are startling in their bizarre appearance against the barren backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. There’s no signage pointing the way to this singular attraction, and the beach that holds the columns is also unmarked. This is how I made it to the trailhead leading to this natural phenomenon, one that was created by a massive volcanic explosion 760,000 years ago:

1. Prepare for the trip

Crowley Lake is in a remote stretch of Eastern California, and its surface elevation is 6,781 feet (2,066 meters) above sea level. Those two facts should be your primary considerations as you plan your trip to the columns, particularly if you are going during winter. Although the unincorporated community of Sunny Slopes is nearby, cell service is spotty at best along the trail. Temperatures also routinely plunge below freezing in the colder months.

Like many lonely destinations with minimally maintained roads, a vehicle with four-wheel drive capability and high clearance is basically essential. I would also strongly recommend you screenshot my custom map below (click to enlarge). Once more, there are no signs to aid you, and the weak cell signal in the area means you shouldn’t rely on smartphone navigation apps.

A good pair of hiking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and an emergency overnight kit with blankets, snacks, and plenty of water should also be part of your preparations. As the saying goes, plan for the worst but hope for the best. I unfortunately encountered no less than two vehicles that were hopelessly stuck in a quagmire of mud from melted snow during my trek to the columns in late November. If you end up making the same mistake, be sure that you are prepared to potentially ride out the night safely.

Now, here’s how I found the trailhead to the columns at Crowley Lake.

2. Take U.S. Route 395 to Owens Gorge Rd.

Regardless of your starting location (i.e., Reno, Las Vegas, Mammoth Lakes, Los Angeles), all routes to the columns at Crowley Lake eventually converge into one: Owens Gorge Rd. The road is marked by the prominent Tuff Campground sign to the north of U.S. Route 395. Turn left here if you are driving from the direction of Reno and Mammoth Lakes or make a right if you are coming from Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

3. Go left at the fork to stay on Owens Gorge Rd.

Almost immediately after making the turn off U.S. Route 395, you will encounter a fork. Stay left to go away from Tuff Campground and continue along Owens Gorge Rd.

4. Drive 4 miles to Crowley Lake

Owens Gorge Rd. takes you on a winding path through Sunny Slopes. There are several side streets; avoid them all. Drive around four miles, and you will encounter another fork near the southeastern bank of Crowley Lake. The fork is visible at the bottom of my map. Following the green line on my map, go right (north) to stay on Owens Gorge Rd. and approach Long Valley Dam.

5. Drive across Long Valley Dam

This is where your journey could potentially start to become treacherous. As Owens Gorge Rd. nears Long Valley Dam, the road shrinks to one lane on a steep decline. The pavement, which is in the shade in the afternoon, was patched with black ice when I made the drive in the late autumn. If it’s available on your vehicle and the temperature is anywhere close to freezing, I strongly encourage you to enable four-wheel drive before making the drop. If unavailable, use extreme caution.

6. Arrive at the trailhead

Once you have crossed the dam, an unnamed road intercepts Owens Gorge Rd. Make a sharp left turn (basically a switchback) onto this unpaved road. The turn is shown on my map where Owens Gorge Rd. turns from a green to a red line near the lower lefthand corner. The unmarked trailhead is a very short distance from here; you will unmistakably know you arrived when you see a small scattering of vehicles or their recent tracks.

7. Read my guide to reaching the columns

You have made it to the trailhead for the columns at Crowley Lake, and now it is time for a decision: Will you park here and proceed on foot, or hazard the rough road via vehicle? One thing is for certain: Only around two miles (~3 kms) separate you from the otherworldly wonder that’s hidden on an unmarked beach to the northwest. Click to read my companion travel guide “How to Get to the Crowley Lake Columns” to learn how I made it the rest of the way.

Related Content
– Click to view my high-resolution photo collection featuring images from the columns at Crowley Lake.
– Click to read my feature article “Alabama: The Mystery of the Welsh Caves” to learn about how a mysterious cave system built by man at DeSoto State Park links a medieval legend, a colonial expedition, and the greatest cataclysm in human history.
– Click to view my high-resolution photo collection from nearby Yosemite National Park.