Explore the Black Point Fissures

This area is such a great way to spend time exploring. It's a lot different than what it's surrounded by, making it a great change of pace in the Eastern Sierra.

Just East of Lee Vining, California is Black Point, which sits on the North side of the massive Mono Lake...Which used to be an underwater Volcano. A quick couple miles down a dirt road leads you to a dead end parking lot where you can begin your 45 minute walk up the sandy Black Point. Unfortunately there is no actual 'trail' but that is part of the fun. I chose to walk around the South facing ridge until I felt the peak was to my right and bushwhacked up over the next ridge. Once up here, you can see all of Mono Lake as well as the correct direction you need to head in for the Fissures. With many what appear to be sandstone cliffs, you keep walking up! Be careful though because these 20-50' drops come up on your quickly.

Once at the fissures, there are many separate entrance and canyons. The western most fissure is the deepest I witnessed and was very easy to enter. Although it was very narrow at times, you can walk right in it. As noted, I completed this mid winter, so there may be snow in the bottoms of these making the walking a bit more challenging.

When you are done exploring thesemaygnificent canyons, feel free to climb to the top of Black Point which is just under 7,000'. This will give you a 360º view of your surroundings!

Done for the day? Be sure to head into Lee Vining for a tasty treat at Mono Cone or the Mobile Mart.