Devils Postpile National Monument Celebrates the National Park Service Centennial

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service with Devils Postpile National Monument! Five years after celebrating the centennial of the designation of Devils Postpile National Monument, we are celebrating another historic milestone! This summer, Devils Postpile National Monument is joining over 400 national park units from across the country to celebrate sharing America’s special places and stories for 100 years.
At Devils Postpile, these stories can be found in the rocks, stars, and the historic ranger station. As our climate continues to change as we enter the second century of the National Park Service, Devils Postpile National Monument will become increasingly valuable for monitoring changes in plants, animals, and air quality. Additionally, the monument is celebrating the National Park Service Centennial through volunteer service projects related to habitat restoration, trail improvement, and citizen science.
We invite the public to join in the celebration at one of the following events in July, August, and September:
Centennial Celebration of Geologic Wonders
Thursday, July 14^th
12:00 pm
Minaret Vista Overlook
Join us for interpretive talks about the mystery of the Postpile origin, and US Geological Survey’s (USGS) California Volcano Observatory efforts in monitoring past, present, and future volcanic unrest in the Long Valley volcanic region. We will all celebrate the newly published USGS map of the Eruptive History of Mammoth Mountain and its Mafic Periphery by Wes Hildreth and Judy Fierstein that will be debuted at this event. Wes began field work in Long Valley in the 1960’s and has continued research and mapping. Wes is the de-facto geologic expert of our region.Join us for this celebration of geologic wonders and partnerships in science, education, and public lands with USGS, US Forest Service–Inyo National Forest, and the National Park Service.
Guest speakers include:
Charles Mandeville, Program Coordinator, Volcano Hazards Program, USGS
Margaret Mangan, Scientist-in-Charge, California Volcano Observatory, USGS
Wes Hildreth, Geologist, California Volcano Observatory, USGS
Judy Fierstein, Geologist, California Volcano Observatory, USGS
Margie DeRose, Inyo NF, Mammoth-Mono Deputy District Ranger.
Deanna Dulen, Superintendent, Devils Postpile National Monument
Guided Geologic Walk to the Postpile Formation, Glacial Erosion, and San Joaquin River
Friday, July 15^th
11:00 am –12:30 pm (with extension hike to Rainbow Falls until 3:00 pm)
Meet at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station
Join Senior Scientist Wes Hildreth from theUS Geological Survey,as he guides us through millions of years of geologic drama on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin landscape.He will link the landscape with the colorful layers of history on the newly published USGS map of the Eruptive History of Mammoth Mountain and its Mafic Periphery authored by Wes Hildreth and Judy Fierstein.
The Devils Postpile formation portion of the walk will last approximately 1.5 hours. Afterwards, an extended hike will be led to Rainbow Falls. The return trip back to the Devils Postpile Ranger Station (approximately 1.5 hours) or Shuttle Stop 9 or 10 will be at your own pace from Rainbow Falls (approximately 45 minutes) will be at your own pace. Bring you own lunch, minimum of 2 to 3 quarts of water per person, sunscreen, hat and raingear.
Minaret Vista Night Sky Program
Saturday, July 30^th
9:00 pm
Minaret Vista Overlook
The National Park Service is celebrating its 100 years of helping to preserve special places, include those that boast starry night skies. Join Devils Postpile National Monument rangers at the Minaret Vista on Saturday, July 30th for an hour long program while we marvel at the night sky and learn more about how we can all help protect this valuable resource. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight (flashlights with a red light option preferred).
Evening Talk: “What’s in the Air?”
Tuesday, August 2^nd
7:00 pm
Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center Auditorium
Join Scientist Emeritus, Andrzej Bytnerowicz, PhD, USDA Forest Service–Pacific Southwest Research Station for an evening presentation on the trends of air pollution in California with a special emphasis on the Sierra Nevada. This talk will explore the effects of air pollution on human health and area ecosystems, such as forests. Additionally, the impact of wildfires on air quality will also be discussed.
Guided Walk: Stories of the Postpile Cabins: Rangers, Rogues, and History
Thursday, August 4^th
11:00 am –1:00 pm
Meet at the Devils Postpile Ranger Station
This two hour leisurely and informative walk will highlight the history of the colorful stories of the cabin remains near the Postpile and the Ranger Cabin that serves as a welcome to visitors. Both properties have received recognition for their historical significance. The ranger cabin has recently been added to the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. The cabin site has also been determined eligible for listing and a nomination is pending.There will also be a special Junior Ranger activity celebrating the history and preservation of cultural resources.
Guest speakers include:
Christopher E. Johnson, PhD, NPS Historian and Author of History on the Sierra Crest: Devils Postpile and the Mammoth Lakes Sierra
Julianne Polanco, California State Historic Preservation Officer
Jun Kinoshita, Yosemite Fire Archeologist and Devils Postpile Cultural Resources Management
Founders’ Day Weekend Night Sky Program
Friday, August 26^th
8:30 pm
Minaret Vista Overlook
Continue the National Park Service Centennial celebration of Founders’ Day weekend for an hour long evening program with rangers at Minaret Vista, an excellent location for exploring the night skies! Dress warmly and bring a flashlight (flashlights with a red light option preferred).
Stewardship Day/Founders’ Celebration
Saturday, August 27th
Time to be determined
Devils Postpile National Monument
In partnership with the National Park Service, Friends of the Inyo will host a series of citizen science and volunteer stewardship projects in Devils Postpile National Monument. This summer, we will celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service by inspiring volunteers and visitors through the ongoing care and growing understanding of this unique national treasure. On Saturday, August 27th, join the celebration of the National Park Service’s 100th birthday with a day of stewardship activities, including restoration and improvement projects.
Evening Talk: Little Creatures and their Wildlife Ecology in the Sierra Nevada National Parks
Wednesday, September 14^th
7:00 pm
Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center Auditorium
Join Dr. Jim Patton, PhD, Curator and Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley, for a presentation about the early history of wildlife ecology in the first century of the National Park Service and the importance of Devils Postpile National Monument, despite its small size, in wildlife management for the next century. Dr. Patton will also provide a summary of the resurvey of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in Yosemite National Park that were originally studied between 1911 and 1920, and the importance of these findings in documenting climate change impacts.