Pair of mid-14th-century phreatic (steam-blast) explosion craters on Deer Mountain above Mammoth Lakes—~600 ft wide and 100–200 ft deep, each holding a small forest-ringed lake, formed when rising magma flashed groundwater to steam without extruding lava.
Field facts
| Region | Mono County, CA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37.6887, -119.0057 |
| Unit | Inyo National Forest (USFS) |
| Origin | Phreatic craters ~1350 CE |
| Hike | Short loop from trailhead |
| Elevation | ~8,200 ft |
Nearby locations
Nearby amenities
- CampgroundOBSIDIAN FLAT5.1 km away
- CampgroundOLD SHADY REST CAMPGROUND5.8 km away
- CampgroundNEW SHADY REST CAMPGROUND6 km away
- CampgroundPINE GLEN6.1 km away
- CampgroundAGNEW MEADOWS GROUP CAMP7.4 km away
- CampgroundPUMICE FLAT GROUP CAMP7.7 km away
Public recreation data — BLM & Recreation.gov (RIDB). Verify current access, fees, and seasonal closures before traveling.
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