Long Valley Caldera

Hi All. As you can see from the small display of pictures the area of Long Valley is quite a diverse area.

These pictures were take in the middle of August when Petra and to took a trip up there to meet with engineers from Japan and Russia. We had a great time although Petra almost died when she priced the steaks. She got chicken instead and the price of that was bad enough.

As you can see there is still snow on some of the higher mountainous in the area. As a matter I'm there are locations where the snow never completely melts during the summer.

The photo of what looks people swimming are indeed swimming. It is frowned upon as some people have been killed when they got to close to where the water comes to the surface. As of right now the area is closed as the water coming to surface is hotter and covers a wider area. There is no warning as to when the hot water will reach the surface. There doesn't appear to any quakes associated with most of the ejection of hot water. The area is known as Hot Creek. The name suites it well.

The photo the tree kill area was taken from the parking lot. CO2 did them in. About 300 tons of it is ejected per day. The majority of the trees are about 250 years old. Two skiers died a couple of years ago when one fell through the snow into a crevice. The second one died when he tried to pull him out. Its not recommended to allow children to walk in the area as they will be close to the CO2 concentrations because of their height. During the winter the area is closed off. A good hot, windy day is the best time to take a tour of the area. However it is still not advisable to stick your nose or face into cracks or crevices.

There is a drum recorder located in the park office, but it is useless. The paper on it gets changed about once a week. The one that is used is locked away in a room where the tourists can't get at. The seismometer used for it is located at the Devils Post Pile. You should see what a windy day does to it. Makes it go bonkers. Its the wind blowing through the trees and brush and surround the area.

You can see the eruption that took place about 250 to 500 years ago from Highway 395. You can also see the resurgent dome from Hot Creek. Looks just like any other hill, except this one is very much alive and on the move.

If you ever get the chance to visit do so. There is a KOA facility there and campgrounds and places where you can park mobile homes. It is quiet at night with the exception of a yodel dog or two sounding. The aren't a bit shy. If they think they can get a hand out from you they will approach you. Take Care...Don

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Hi Don Fascinating pics!!! Thanks for posting them. Hope you're doing well. Seems like you and Petra had a wonderful trip there. I hope to get a chance to visit there this year.

-kate

"Don in Hollister --- Hi All. As you can see from the small display of pictures the area of Long Valley is quite a diverse area.

[About the]...swimming. It is frowned upon as some people have been killed when they got to close to where the water comes to the surface. As of right now the area is closed as the water coming to surface is hotter and covers a wider area. There is no warning as to when the hot water will reach the surface. There doesn't appear to any quakes associated with most of the ejection of hot water. The area is known as Hot Creek. The name suites it well.

The photo the tree kill area was taken from the parking lot. CO2 did them in. About 300 tons of it is ejected per day. The majority of the trees are about 250 years old.
If you ever get the chance to visit do so. There is a KOA facility there and campgrounds and places where you can park mobile homes. It is quiet at night with the exception of a yodel dog or two sounding. The aren't a bit shy. If they think they can get a hand out from you they will approach you. Take Care...Don"

Don, what an amazing overview ! Your write-up of this info about visiting the Long Valley Caldera in a travelogue format, I mean.

Even folks with no prior interest in the Long Valley Caldera would find this account of your travel there very interesting.

Well, curiosity does sometimes kill the cat.

Especially the cat who is now visiting that unique caldera formation. The Long Valley Caldera has the uneven temperment of a restless living earth, the area is now ready to selectively boil swimmers who are too bold, but once-upon-a-dog's-age-ago was much more tolerant of cats who wanted to sneak a soak in that warm water !

Thanks for writing this description! Hope you are getting along well enough, and finding some quiet splendor in your days.

Out here in New England, we are seeing a lot of tree kill here. The evergreens are taking it on the chin as the changing temperatures have led to incursions of strange pests and strange weather. We had a record amount of rainfall causing floods in March, and then a super-dry April with temperatures on one of the days over ninety. In the old days, we would think, this is just "not done" Mother Nature! Now,we don't know what to think, and neither do the evergreens. Have a good day, Don.