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    Obsidian Dome

    4.3 (12 reviews)

    Obsidian Dome Photos

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    Boulders of obsidian
    Brian U.

    Another geological play zone created by the volcanic activity in the eastern Sierras. Not a bald dome like Half Dome, but a giant mish-mash of shattered rocks. I assume the Obsidian Dome was mined which is why it looked like a huge pile of rubble. It still had an otherworldly feel and reminded me of the documentary, "Manufactured Landscapes". Of course, I enjoyed seeing the boulders of obsidian. Most have plenty of impurities and a matte finish, but there are few that have a smooth, shiny, black surface. Internet maps don't always pinpoint the correct location. Located 16 miles south of Lee Vining, exit at the sign for Obsidian Dome Road along Highway 395 and follow the dirt road for 1.7 miles. This means driving past the marked parking area on the north side of the dome. Instead, continue to the west side of the dome which has the best obsidian and park near the gate. Walk around the gate and up the gravel road. From base to top is about a 400-foot elevation change. The visit took 25 minutes.

    Side of the Dome
    Carlye M.

    Get ready for some moon-like adventuring. The top of Obsidian Dome is covered with rock piles and little pathways that curve around the stacks like mazes. The rocks themselves range from tan to black, and if you don't look at the beautiful distant mountains, you just might think you're on the moon! Or maybe that's me getting in touch with my childhood imagination. The rocks range from gigantic (bigger than an adult) to tiny little pieces that serve well as souvenirs. Some of them are the perfect size to put in your pocket! The patches of obsidian are shiny and metallic-looking in the sunlight. It's fun to scramble all over the rocks. Just beware of the ones that are a bit shifty. Take the Obsidian Dome exit off the 395, and there's a clearly-marked dirt road that leads you to the parking lot for Obsidian Dome. The road is pretty smooth with some occasional rocks. Our 12-passenger van made it just fine. If you walk about 10 minutes further down the road after you park, you'll find a gated-off service road that you can walk up to in order to reach the top of the dome. OR if you're adventurous like my teenage siblings, you can climb up the side of the dome itself, picking your way among the rocks. Don't worry; they all got there safely and none of the rocks shifted or fell. Like another reviewer said, there is NO shade up there. So bring your water, hats, and sunscreen! And maybe some snacks, depending on how long you want to hang out up there. We spent about 3 hours there total, between clambering over the rocks and then trekking to the nearby creek, speaking of which... Side note: if you're hoping to get refreshed by the nearby Glass Creek, as of late June it's just a stagnant strip of green water. Not worth the walk there.

    Huge dome of obsidian

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    7 months ago

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    12 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Great sight to see if you are in the area! It's interesting to see the huge dome and its located in a beautiful area!

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    Review Highlights - Obsidian Dome

    Located 16 miles south of Lee Vining, exit at the sign for Obsidian Dome Road along Highway 395 and follow the dirt road for 1.

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    Earthquake Fault

    Earthquake Fault

    4.5(30 reviews)
    2.6 km

    Really easy to get to, no mosquitos, and not crowded at all. An older gentleman there who I think…read morewas an off duty park Ranger or something told us all about the fault, cases of people falling in, and what to look out for, etc. He said it's more impressive looking from the other side of the main road (going from Mammoth Lakes to Mammoth Mountain), though we couldn't find any signs or trailheads for this part afterwards. Nonetheless this is a pretty neat, quick stop with no hike required to get to it.

    I recently stopped by this earthquake fault to check it out while in the Mammoth area. It was easy…read moreto find, and parking was easy. Based on the photos, I was expecting this to be more like a cliff with a tall crack in it. In reality, it's more like a very long ditch. If you're into geology, or if you're super impressed by thinking about the earth splitting open, then maybe you should check this out. Personally, I wasn't very moved by this experience. If you didn't know that this was an earthquake fault, then there would be nothing impressive about it. It's just a very long gorge that is kind of deep in some places. I'm not sure if rappelling into the fault is allowed, but I thought it would be interesting to get a closer up view of some of the rocks and pools on the bottom. Honestly not really worth driving out of your way to see this unless you happen to be a geology fanatic, or are just dead set on seeing every possible sight near Mammoth.

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    Earthquake Fault
    Earthquake Fault
    Earthquake Fault

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    Horseshoe Lake - Lake is drying up and this warning sign says it all

    Horseshoe Lake

    4.3(34 reviews)
    6.0 km

    The first time I visited HorseShoe Lake, the lot was packed, and the hike was no joke! I was out of…read moreshape, and there was still a lot of snow on the trail in July! It was tough. My cousin even had a close call when he accidentally slid off the trail, ran down 100 feet, and narrowly missed hitting trees. (Slipper snow) Despite the challenges, the reward at the top was well worth it. It was a beautiful, secluded lake. Some of us tried a little fishing, while the girls jumped into the freezing cold water for a swim. The water was so "pristine" that my hair felt conditioned afterward. It was magnificent, the water felt untouched and almost holy! This past summer, we hiked it again for the 4th of July, and it was so much easier because I had lost 20 pounds, haha! I'd say the hike is about 13 minutes up, around 2 miles round trip, and great for all ages. Just make sure you're in decent shape and don't have any serious health concerns. When I was 20 pounds heavier, the hike felt like a 10/10 in difficulty. Now, it's more like a 3/10, a total breeze!

    When you arrive, you see a bunch of dead tree and the waterline really low. Your first impression…read moreis "huh. But as you walk around the lake, you're surrounded by beautiful lush green pines. Small quaint bridges over stream beds. The wind in the trees with a beautiful view of the lake and its surroundings. It's a very easy straight walk. Highly recommend

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    Horseshoe Lake
    Horseshoe Lake - Lots of history here

    Lots of history here

    Horseshoe Lake

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    Obsidian Dome - hiking - Updated May 2026

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