モドック郡の天然記念物・トップ10

A set of three hot spring pools with three grades of temperatures, each fitting one to two persons. They are fairly shallow, just down the embankment of the road, which might have affected the original natural setting and functioning of the springs, but they are still amazingly serene, with a view across the wide alkali lake plain to the mountain range to the east.

The perfect, almost developed wild hot spring: The water wells up from the sandy bottom and is held in a nice wooden tub, even protected from the elements by a wooden cabin with open sides and spectacular views of the reservoir and the surrounding mountains.

At the Davis Creek Obsidian Mine, you can find black to silver to laced obsidian. The road close to the mine is in good shape and it takes just five minutes to hike to the main mining site.

Views in all directions can be appreciated from the Patterson Saddle. There is no official trail up the steep, loose slope to the peak, so use extreme caution if you plan to ascend.

Warren Peak rises out of the quarter-mile wide Patterson Lake. This lake makes an excellent turnaround point on a day hike, or a resting spot before the final push to the summit.

Walking across the unshaded scrubland, it's hard to believe there are lush landscapes in the lava tubes just underground. Take a short spur off of Lyons Trail to see down into the startlingly green Fern Cave. Ranger-led tours of the cave may be made by appointment, call: 530-667-8113

The gravel road meanders down the eastern contours of th South Warner Wilderness. From this turn a spur leads to an overlook high above the lower Alkali Lake, a huge salt plain created by evaporation as there is no outflow for the water from the surrounding mountains.

Surprisingly great hot spring along Surprise Valley Road. worth the detour on the paved road, for an after-ride soak right next to the highway.