🌋🐾 Into the Heart of a Volcano - Hiking the Panum Crater Plug Trail in Lee Vining, California

Simba the Adventure Pup 🐾 and I took on one of the Eastern Sierra’s most dramatic volcanic hikes — the Panum Crater Plug Trail, a rugged adventure that leads straight into the center of a young plug-dome volcano perched above Mono Lake. Formed less than 700 years ago, this crater offers an up-close look at explosive geologic forces that shaped the Mono Basin in the not-so-distant past. 🔥🌄

Climbing onto the plug dome feels like stepping onto another planet — jagged obsidian, pale pumice, twisted rock formations, and steep volcanic slopes everywhere you look. Despite being short, this hike is intense and incredibly rewarding, especially for geology lovers, photographers, and curious explorers.

🎥 Watch the Video

Join Simba and me as we scramble over volcanic rock, explore the crater’s rugged interior, and soak in the breathtaking panoramic views over Mono Lake and the surrounding high-desert basin.

👀 In This Video You’ll See

- The Panum Crater Plug Trail from trailhead to summit — steep, rocky, and awe-inspiring 🌋
- Jagged obsidian fields, delicate pumice pieces, and rare volcanic formations shaped by a relatively recent eruption
- Close-up views of the plug dome’s rugged interior, where thick lava once pushed upward and solidified
- Sweeping vistas overlooking Mono Lake, its otherworldly shoreline gleaming in the distance
- Simba leading the charge across the crater like the seasoned Sierra explorer he is 🐾

🌄 Why This Trail Is Unforgettable

Panum Crater is one of the Mono Basin’s strongest reminders that this region is still volcanically alive. Plug-dome volcanoes form when magma oozes upward so thickly it piles into steep, unstable mounds — leaving behind the dramatic terrain you see today. Every step on this trail reveals geology in motion: glassy obsidian shards that cooled instantly, pumice that once floated through the air, and fractured formations sculpted by time and erosion.

The hike may be short, but it’s rugged and immersive — perfect for anyone longing for a wild, hands-on volcanic experience.

If you’re exploring the Eastern Sierra and love geology, unique landscapes, or offbeat volcanic adventures, the Panum Crater Plug Trail deserves a top spot on your Mono Basin journey.

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