Black Point Fissures

Black Point Fissures sit atop Black Point, a volcanic hill on Mono Lake's north shore near Lee Vining. An underwater eruption thousands of years ago rapidly cooled ash and sediment, cracking the hilltop into a maze of narrow ravines — some more than 50 feet deep, with the longest stretching nearly a quarter mile. There's no maintained trail; you pick your way across sand, rock, and sagebrush to reach them.

Getting There

From US 395 near Lee Vining, turn east onto Cemetery Road and follow it roughly six miles — the last stretch unpaved — to a small parking area with an information board. A regular car can usually handle the road in dry conditions, but it's narrow and washboarded.

The Hike

It's a short but rugged cross-country walk, not a marked path, up the shoulder of Black Point to the fissure field. Once there, most of the cracks have sloping, walkable ends rather than sheer drops, so climbing down into them is straightforward. From the top, the view stretches across Mono Lake's tufa towers and the Mono Basin to the Sierra crest.

Before You Go

• No water, shade, or facilities anywhere on the route — carry everything you need.
• Summer heat is intense on the exposed volcanic ground; spring and fall are more comfortable.
• Free primitive camping is available near the trailhead.