Fantastic Fossil Falls Frolic
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This is a great spot for a cache hunt. This cache is a little difficult to find and you should be able to climb a little (5 ft ) over rocks etc. While you are here visit the chipping grounds (slightly) east of cache and see all of the obsidian left behind by the Indians making tools.
Fossil Falls
When visiting the area, you will also likely see the prominent cinder cone volcano known as Red Cinder Mountain, or Red Hill. The volcano erupted last about 10,000 years ago with evidence suggesting a more recent, relatively minor eruption on the northwest flank of the volcano.
When looking southward, toward Little Lake, you’ll see several basalt flows. The Upper Little Lake Ranch basalt has been dated at about 130,000 years old and the Lower Little Lake Ranch basalt at about 400,000 years old. The overlying Red Hill basalt has yet to be dated, but estimates range from 10,000 to 130,000 years.
While the area is an arid desert now, water once flowed from Owens Lake through the narrow valley to create an interconnected system of lakes that are now dry basins. If you look north from Fossil Falls toward Red Hill, you can see remnants of one of the ancient lakes in the form of white sands and silts on the Red Hill Playa.
When lava from volcanic eruptions flowed through the valley, the streams followed the Owens River’s path, creating a river of lava that remains to this day. In addition to lava flows and river systems, the Owens Valley was once covered with glaciers, melting ice and glacial movement coupled with other elements helped smooth the lava into the artistic, fluid forms we see today.
Looking to the east you will see a dome-shaped hill with a mile-long black scar. This black marking is a streak of obsidian, or “volcanic glass.” Early cultures chipped the obsidian into high quality, razor-sharp projectile points and tools. You’ll still find obsidian flakes, products of the chipping, around the Fossil Falls area.
Artifacts and rock art from the Fossil Falls area point to a culture that lived here between 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. These ancient “Paleo” people lived along the lakes and rivers and hunted big game such as the wooly mammoth and the mastodon. When the lakes and rivers dried up, the big game died out, becoming extinct for uncertain reasons, and the people had to move on to other areas and change their patterns of subsistence to find new game and food.
Today, Red Hill is mined for volcanic rocks. When molten lava erupted through a vent in the Earth’s crust, it cooled quickly, forming a porous rock called “scoria.” The scoria built up around the vent and formed the cone-shaped hill that you see today. The scoria is used for a variety of commercial purposes.
Fossil Falls has a campground with about a dozen campsites, four of them suitable for motor homes. Each campsite costs a $6 fee per site per night with a 14-day limit for a stay. Day use is free. The campsites are minimally equipped. You’ll only find a fire ring, a grill and a picnic table. A pit toilet is located nearby. Bring your own portable canopy because shade is scarce. Bring plenty of water unless you don’t mind using a hand-operated water pump. Plan to carry out your trash. The nearest sanitary dump station is six miles north of Fossil Falls on U. S. Highway 395 at the Coso Rest Station.
Fossil Falls is located about halfway between Owens Lake and Ridgecrest just north of Little Lake on the east side of U. S. Highway 395. If you’re approaching from the south, you’ll see a large cinder cone volcano next to the highway. As you get closer to the volcano, watch for a small sign that says “Fossil Falls.” That’s your turn. If you pass the volcano, you’ve gone too far.
Take Cinder Road, which is unpaved, to the parking area, where you’ll find a restroom and picnic tables. Cinder Road is flat and negotiable for most cars. A short trail leads to the falls. Wear good walking shoes; the trail is somewhat rugged although it should be no major problem for prudent able-bodied hikers. Orange arrows painted onto the rocks point the way.
Fossil Falls is an unusual, otherworldly place that you won’t soon forget. Whether you plan on caching, picnicking, hiking, rock climbing, night sky viewing or camping, you’ll enjoy your visit to this remarkable desert location, I know we did !!
Lots of goodies !!! Enjoy !!
CONGRATS TO VAN65 ON FTF !!!!!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Nccebnpu sebz gur gbc bs gur snyyf. Jngpu sbe pevggref !!!