Wildlife at Craters of the Moon National Monument

We did not see a lot of wildlife at Craters of the Moon.  We saw a couple of butterflies.  We saw a swallow flying in and out of the cave opening and catching bugs.  It was so erratic in its flight chasing bugs it almost looked like a bat.  How also came upon what I called a chipmunk, but the park brochure calls a golden mantled ground squirrel.

bird on a rock

Craters of the Moon: Crazy Trees

Some of the trees at Craters of the Moon are strange.  However even in this hostile environment bristlecone pine manages to grow.  There was a story about how in an attempt to get rid of "witches broom" a growth in the trees, many of the trees were killed.  Sometimes even the Forest Services doesn't know best.

witches brew

Craters of the Moon National Monument: Crazy Rocks and Volcanic Mounds

Below: Crazy Witch Lady Rock  At least I could see it live.

blobs of lava that hardened

 Some of the rocks were really ai ai rocks, meaning it hurt to walk on them.  Below is some kind of hardened lava flows.

The last volcanic activity was about 2000 years ago, with activity about every 2000 years startijg 15000 years ago.

Caving: Craters of the Moon National Monument

Dew Drop Cave

Indian Tunnel

The plaque indicated it is called Indian Tunnel because of Indian mounds found by the entrance.  This may be what they were referring to.

Down the ladder and through a collapsed rubble

back at the ceiling

Around the rubble through a dark spot and to another collapse

There was more beyond the collapse, but it seemed formidable to me.  Miranda and Tony climbed all over it.

No stalactites or stalagmites but these buts are hardened dripping lava.  These are lava core caves, which form as the outer parts of the lave field cool, while the middle stays hot and continues to flow while the outer solidifies.   As the middle flows out a gave is left.

alternate entrance