Devils Postpile National Monument
Devils Postpile is a striking wall of columnar basalt rising 60 feet from the forest floor in the Sierra Nevada, formed when ancient lava cooled and cracked into tight geometric columns that are nearly perfect in their symmetry. The main face of the columns is the obvious shot, and a wide or standard zoom in the 24-50mm range works well for capturing the full height and pattern of the formation. For a different perspective, hike to the top of the postpile where glacial polishing has left the column tops exposed in a honeycomb-like mosaic, a detail shot that surprises most visitors. Morning light hits the face of the columns with soft, directional illumination that emphasizes the texture; midday can be flat due to the surrounding tree cover. The site is accessed via mandatory shuttle from Mammoth Mountain in summer, so plan your timing accordingly and arrive early to have the formation to yourself. (Mammoth Lakes, California, United States)
