Hiking Panum Crater (Lee Vining, CA) - Trip Report
There are a series of craters near Mono Lake called the Mono Craters. They were caused by a series of eruptions, some as recent as 600 years ago! Panum Crater is the youngest crater of the chain of Mono Craters, also making it the youngest mountain range in North America. Panum Crater is a Rhyolitic Plug-Dome Volcano, still technically active to this day. No need to worry, there are geologists who monitor this area, because of all the volcanic activity throughout Mono County.
Views from the Plug Trail - you can even see June Mountain ski resort in the middle of the photo
Hiking Information
Location: Mono County - near Lee Vining, California
Trailhead & Parking: Google Maps
Date Hiked: April 7, 2020 + April 9, 2020**
Trail Type: Out & Back for Plug Trail, Loop for Rim Trail
Elevation Change: Plug Trail 130 ft , Rim Trail 317 ft
Distance Roundtrip: 1.0 mile for Plug Trail, ~1.7 miles for Rim Trail
Nearest Restrooms: None at the trailhead, the next closest would be at the South Tufa Area
Fees: None
Season Accessibility: All year round
Trail Tip: Going in the winter will give you a beautiful view of the snow capped Sierra Nevada Mountains
**Please note that I am local to this area so I did not have to travel out of my community during the COVID-19 Stay at Home order, see my blog post on how to safely adventure in your own community**
The Drive/Parking
To reach the trailhead, you’ll head out towards the South Tufa area, but you’ll be turning left onto a dirt road before reaching the South Tufa area. There is a sign along the road that reads “Panum Crater”, but it can be easy to miss. I suggest having the trailhead parking lot in your navigation so you don’t miss the turn off. The parking area is pretty large, and I’ve only ever seen one other car while hiking this area a few times, so you shouldn’t have any issues.
The Hike
This hike features two sections - the Plug Trail and the Rim Trail. The Plug Trail is an out & back style hike that is less than a mile. It gives an up close look inside of a crater featuring different rock types - mostly obsidian and pumice. The Rim Trail is a loop style hike that is about 1.7 miles long. This will take you on the out skirts of the crater and provides stunning views of Mono Lake.
Plug Trail to the left of the sign
Rim Trail to the right of the sign
Plug Trail
After a storm cleared in the area, I decided to check out the less trafficked Panum Crater trails. I had passed the signage for Panum Crater numerous times when exploring the Mono Lake area, but never hiked it until now. I chose to only hike the Plug Trail this day because I was still recovering from a kidney infection, but I really wanted to get some fresh air (I’ve been in my home, on quarantine, since March 12th). Both trails can easily be hiked in one trip. After heading left at the sign just a few minutes into the hike, you’ll start to head up into the crater, and you’ll see some stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Keep an eye on the rocks you’re surrounded by on this hike, you’ll see some awesome ones! But remember, to only leave footprints and take pictures. No collecting is allowed on this trail.
Once you reach the top of the crater, you’ll be able to see Mono Lake and all of the neat features of the crater!
Rim Trail
A few days later after checking out the Plug Trail and feeling better from my kidney infection, I went back to hike the Rim Trail. Another cycle of snow storms had passed through and I went back when I started to see the storm break up. After sitting in the parking lot for a few minutes, the blue sky was opening more and I headed up. I love hiking after a storm because the mountains have a beautiful new coat of snow. Bad weather makes for beautiful views! I headed back up to the sign that splits the trails and headed right this time.
Just hiking for a little bit, you’ll start to see Mono Lake peak into your view. There were some lingering snow/rain clouds making their way over Mono Mills and Mono Lake. After a small incline section, you’ll have a full, stunning view of Mono Lake.
You’ll be able to see Negit and Paoha island, Black Point, the South Tufas, and Mono Mills. I really enjoyed the unique view of Mono Lake from above.
Negit and Paoha island
Black Point on the other side of Mono Lake
South Tufas from above
Mono Mills
As you can see, the storm lightly dusted over Panum Crater which is why you always pack extra layers! I popped open some hand warmers and put on a warmer jacket, then continued along the trail. You’ll continue along the rim with a mix of mellow incline and decline sections. It completely circles back around to the beginning of the trail near the sign. I hope that everyone can return to the mountains they love soon, save this hike for your next trip after everything settles down from COVID-19. This won’t be forever and you’ll be out hiking in no time. Happy (Virtual) Trails for now!
Continuing along the rim
Some of the last views of Mono Lake
Snowy trail that connects back to the start of the hike
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Tiare Kirkland
Hi! My name is Tiare, but you can just call me ‘T’. I’m a California based hiker and I spend most of my free time taking photos and videos of some of my favorite hikes. You can usually find me ‘Out Hiking’ in the Sierra Nevada mountain range or road-tripping to new areas. Read more about me here and follow along with my adventures by subscribing below!