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This road appears to be a great place to turn off to stretch the legs and step up close to lava rock and see the little lake across the road. While we were there, two trucks and two cars had stopped to explore what was there or to just stop to stretch. Yet, what is nice about this little area and access road is you can see the Lava rock up close here without having to travel down a dirt road, although I am sure Fossil Falls is amazing. It is on my list!
Like I mentioned before, if they are exiting from the North bound side, the exit way too fast, so be careful. If you exit from the South bound lane you have to slow to turn right. Just be careful and do not park in the road for your safety!
Written Dec 13, 2008
I saw some writing on the Lava Rock wall and thought it was graffiti at first and it is to some degree, but a warning.. No Shooting. I can certainly understand wanting to protect historic and geological area from being destroyed. I take it this must have been a problem here and hopefully they are not doing this anymore. There are still lots of artifacts to be discovered here. Although it is remote, please respect it because there are still homes in the outlining mountains and roads.
Written Dec 13, 2008
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Red Hill is one of those natural wonders that just speak for itself. It was very noticeable because it was very unlike most of landscape for this area, yet not surprising. Turns out it is a volcanic cinder cone that has been mined since the 1950s for its porous and lightweight characteristics. It is perfect for making cinder blocks and of the largest material used to make those huge block sound barriers along the LA freeways. Fortunately locals were successful in keeping limited mining so Red Hill doesn’t disappear from over mining.
Three miles north of Little Lake near Fossil Falls turn off on Hwy 395.
Written Dec 13, 2008
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Yet, what is still unique and worth stopping is the 25,000 year old lava rock that dominates the area. This little stop affords you to be able to examine up close the wonderful rock. If you don’t get a chance to stop at Fossil Falls due to closure, this is a great place to see it up close. Lots of wonderful fauna that surrounds the lake area due to the natural springs this place is famous for. Yet be careful because we noticed that truckers or other vehicles exit too fast when on the southbound exit. If you are coming from the north exit you have to slow and turn right. So be careful.
So, three miles north of Little Lake is the Fossil Falls Area is a wonderful example of geologic lava rock created when lava poured into the Owens River channel some 20,000 years ago. During the Ice Age, the Owens River overflowed from Owens Lake. Glaciers melted during this period and Owens Lake became a terminus lake and Fossil Falls dried up creating a wonderland of lava rocks that form and take all kinds of shapes.
Fossil Falls Archeological District is on the National Register of historic places # N888
Updated Dec 13, 2008
Website: www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/listed_resources/?view=county&criteria=14
Before I begin any new journey, I like to look at my new atlas map, the old one fell apart and investigate the little communities along the way. Little lake was one of them and is still on the map...
Build your own Little Lake page
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