Obsidian Dome

Get ready for some moon-​like adventuring. The top of Obsidian Dome is covered with rock piles and little pathways that curve around the stacks like mazes. The rocks themselves range from tan to black, and if you don’t look at the beautiful distant mountains, you just might think you’re on the moon! Or maybe that’s me getting in touch with my childhood imagination.
The rocks range from gigantic (bigger than an adult) to tiny little pieces that serve well as souvenirs. Some of them are the perfect size to put in your pocket! The patches of obsidian are shiny and metallic-​looking in the sunlight. It’s fun to scramble all over the rocks. Just beware of the ones that are a bit shifty.
Take the Obsidian Dome exit off the 395, and there’s a clearly-​marked dirt road that leads you to the parking lot for Obsidian Dome. The road is pretty smooth with some occasional rocks. Our 12-​passenger van made it just fine. If you walk about 10 minutes further down the road after you park, you’ll find a gated-​off service road that you can walk up to in order to reach the top of the dome. OR if you’re adventurous like my teenage siblings, you can climb up the side of the dome itself, picking your way among the rocks. Don’t worry; they all got there safely and none of the rocks shifted or fell.
Like another reviewer said, there is NO shade up there. So bring your water, hats, and sunscreen! And maybe some snacks, depending on how long you want to hang out up there. We spent about 3 hours there total, between clambering over the rocks and then trekking to the nearby creek, speaking of which…
Side note: if you’re hoping to get refreshed by the nearby Glass Creek, as of late June it’s just a stagnant strip of green water. Not worth the walk there.

Another geological play zone created by the volcanic activity in the eastern Sierras.
Not a bald dome like Half Dome, but a giant mish-​mash of shattered rocks. I assume the Obsidian Dome was mined which is why it looked like a huge pile of rubble. It still had an otherworldly feel and reminded me of the documentary, «Manufactured Landscapes». Of course, I enjoyed seeing the boulders of obsidian. Most have plenty of impurities and a matte finish, but there are few that have a smooth, shiny, black surface.
Internet maps don’t always pinpoint the correct location. Located 16 miles south of Lee Vining, exit at the sign for Obsidian Dome Road along Highway 395 and follow the dirt road for 1.7 miles. This means driving past the marked parking area on the north side of the dome. Instead, continue to the west side of the dome which has the best obsidian and park near the gate. Walk around the gate and up the gravel road. From base to top is about a 400-​foot elevation change. The visit took 25 minutes.

Obsidian Dome is a great place to visit if you’re in the area. It’s not an all day trip unless you do the trail (then it may be). Driving around the dome is interesting and there are some spectacular views surrounding it. If you are not in the mood for a hike no worries you don’t even have to get out of the car to see and enjoy the dome, though it is fun to pull over for a picnic in the forest. Overall it is a fun quick trip that doesn’t require much.