Eastern CA and Death Valley

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Sunday, 3 November 2024 - Up early for a long drive north to the Hot Creek Geologic Site near Mammoth Lakes where it was very cold with steam visible over the creek, enjoyed a warm breakfast at The Stove, then visited Bodie State Historic Park in the afternoon exploring the preserved ghost town and photographed its interesting old buildings before ending the day at Crowley Lake Stone Columns at sunset.

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The site is at 8,500 feet above sea level and it was cold. On the positive side since the temperature was in the low 20s, the steam was visible.
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It was so cold - the creek was very cold and wonderful.
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The sun breaks across the edge of the site.

The water sinks a few miles down and is heated to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then it rises to the surface and vents into the creek.
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The warm water snaking through the gorge.

We were very cold after two hours standing in the 20-degree weather. Thankfully, Ryan knew of a very warm and delicious breakfast spot in Mammoth Lakes called The Stove.
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After breakfast, we could not head back to the hotel as they were cleaning our rooms. To fill in time, we went to Bodie State Historic Park, which is a ghost town.

Bodie at one time supported 8,000 people and 2,000 structures now reduced to about 170 structures. Not sure an outhouse qualifies as a "structure."
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Walked by this house and caught the noose.
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Looks like a hard place to live in the 1800s. Hard to believe so many thousands lived in the small valley.
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Water in the scrub.
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There was a little snow on the boardwalks.
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The buildings are boarded up and empty, although some had furniture (left over?).
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Clever to allow an old car to decay in front of a house in decay. The home looks better than the car.
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An old wagon in a field behind a huge warehouse.
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The buildings must be maintained to still be standing. The church is a fine example.
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In the afternoon we headed out for our sunset location - Crowley Lake Stone Columns.

These columns were the result of erosion after steam deposited erosion-resistant deposits as it rose in volcanic ash.
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There are over 5,000 columns identified over 4,000 acres - these are popular as they are at the shore of an artificial lake.
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The columns lean a bit to one side and have a ceiling like a church. Amazing natural formation.
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An alluring formation in a beautiful remote location.

The lake was created by a dam on the Owens River to supply water for Los Angeles.
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