This is our third visit to this remote park. Each time offers something new. This time it was the discovery of its Indian Well Campground. This first-come, first-serve, $10 a night spot was a dream.
Being early risers, we savored the sunrise while sipping coffee.
Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. More than 800 caves, Native American rock art sites, historic battlefields and campsites, and a high desert wilderness experience await. See why we love it so?
With COVID-19 being an issue, we chose to explore early (7 AM) and be the only spelunkers in the cave.
Many of the developed caves contain trails and stairways or ladders into the cave. Knowing we wanted simple. we chose to explore Mushpot Cave. This was a great introduction to caving and contained exhibits and is the only lighted cave here.
It was a one & done. We weren't super comfortable being inside in this time of COVID.
Below the surface is a uniquely beautiful environment.
The above the ground beauty excelled in delights. Unlike arid landscapes of the Southwest and elsewhere, the wildflowers here do not come-and-go in one dramatic spring pulse. Instead, plants stagger their blooms over the course of the warmer seasons providing a long, varying flower show that starts when the snow melts in March and lasts into September.
The human history here is very evident (and sad). The winter of 1872-1873 was a troubled one in the Lava Beds, where a small band of Modoc Indians was besieged by a US Army force outnumbering them as much as ten to one. The majority of the battlefields of this conflict, known as the Modoc War, are located within the monument and are still preserved today.
The Modoc War was the only major Native American war fought in California and the only one in which a general was killed. In this photo, I'm standing in the cemetery. There is so much to learn and not forget!
While this was just a brief explore, we continue to find newness and learn much, in this national monument. The adventure continues.
"What fascinates me are the turning points
where history could have been different."
-Hilary Mantel
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1 comments:
Wow. The cave looks so cool. And just imagine what the others look like! I think we shall visit this national monument (some time).
I bet you would have felt a lot more comfortable knowing no one was coming. You need a lookout! Or is it just me that feels that way? It is nice to get out but I feel like I am on the lam, but instead of hiding from cops I am hiding from people.
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