A Hidden Gem

Panum Crater is a hidden gem, literally.

Located adjacent to Mono Lake in north-eastern California, off Mono Lake Basin Road, or Highway 120 East, Panum Crater is a geological wonder with giant shards of obsidian (the largest I've ever seen) and contrasting rough chunks of pumice (pick one up to feel its weight). The other-worldly crater is worth the short hike; it's as though you step onto another planet the moment you enter its core.

XplorMor Panum Crater Expedition

There are two trails at Panum Crater, one leads into the core and the other circumvents its rim. Both are worth the effort as they each offer a unique perspective of the crater, from its internal commotion to panoramic scenic vistas of the surrounding Mono Lake Basin and Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.  If you have to choose between them, you cannot go wrong.

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XplorMor Panum Crater Expedition

Petroglyphs at Fossil Falls

While driving on the 395 headed to Mono Lake and Inyo National Forest, an XplorMor Team member noticed the sign for Fossil Falls near a giant red cinder cone to the right off the highway.  They quickly googled for more info as I turned the car off the highway and onto the dirt road.  The Internet said we'd find a trail and interesting rock formations at the falls.  What that particular site failed to mention is that Fossil Falls is a dry creek bed; water hasn't run through it for ages.  Yet, there's plenty of signs to show how fiercely it once ran.

XplorMor Expedition to Fossil Falls, California

Fossil Falls rock formations were clearly carved and etched and smoothed over much time by the river that used to run through the valley from snow melt of the nearby Coso Mountain range.  We climbed down into crevasses and wound ourselves around the winding stone, and into the valley floor, exploring the facets and caves as we went.  We even came across some unexpected petroglyphs of animals.  A great find!

XplorMor Expedition to Fossil Falls, California

Read more and watch the XplorMor Expedition Slideshow.