The Crowley Lake Columns are a mysterious site that many people pass by along Highway 395. These natural columns are not easy to get to, but they are rewarding for any adventurer who makes their way out there to see them. Here is the information if you want to check it out. Note that the water level can be very high and that access, as mentioned in this post, is not always possible due to the water levels. Also, you CANNOT do this without a four-wheel drive.
The Crowley Lake columns are a remarkable natural wonder situated on the east side of Crowley Lake off Highway 395. These columns are spectacular to see, but they do require a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get to them. Here is all the information if you have a four-wheel-drive car and want to visit this unique spot.
To get to the columns, you will need to turn off Highway 395 near Rock Creek and make your way to the trailhead. I recommend using AllTrails to get to the trail and ensure you are following the right road through its many forks.
When you turn onto the dirt road, you will notice that it is pretty smooth for about the first half-mile.
At a half-mile, it will reach a steep and rutted uphill portion. This area requires high clearance and four-wheel drive to get up, and I would not try it without either of those. Many people elect to park here and hike in, but it is 2 miles each way on the road if you do that.
As you make it to the top of the steep hill, you will continue back on a smooth road to the parking area. This is where the AllTrails map comes in handy as there are multiple splits, and you don’t want to get lost.
Eventually, you will arrive at the top of a hill where you can park and hike down to the columns. The hike down is steep and sandy, but it is not too bad if you take your time.
Once you make it down to the beach, you will be right in front of the columns and can explore.
Do note that these columns are underwater much of the year, so you may not be able to walk to them if you go during those times.
The columns are fascinating to see as they look like they were built by human hands with cylindrical rocks that appear stacked on each other to form the columns.
Researchers believe they were formed thousands of years ago by a volcanic explosion, and the minerals have just solidified into place like this and resisted erosion.
Regardless of how they were made, this is a pretty amazing place to explore. You can walk in and out of the columns and the small caves that are behind them.
You can also walk up and down the beach as there are other areas with some of the columns.
This is an enjoyable adventure to have on Highway 395. Check it out if you have a four-wheel drive and let me know what you think in the comments.
Here is the information from my first trip in 2016, where we took a different road to get to the columns. This is a much longer trip than the route I took in 2021 above, but I wanted to leave it in case anyone wanted to know about it.
