was established on this date in 1911. From the National Park Service:
Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot Rainbow Falls, and the pristine mountain scenery.
The Devils Postpile formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt. Its columns tower 60-feet high and display an unusual symmetry. Another wonder is in store just downstream from the Postpile at Rainbow Falls, once called “a gem unique and worthy of its name”. When the sun is overhead, a bright rainbow highlights the spectacular Falls.
The monument is also a portal to the High Sierra backcountry, with some 75% included in the Ansel Adams Wilderness. At 800 acres, Devils Postpile National Monument may be considered small by some, yet its natural and recreational values abound.
Small indeed, at only 800 acres, yet they managed to route the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) through Devil’s Postpile National Monument in such a way as to avoid actually letting the hikers see the columns.
I guess that’s the same logic that had the PCT trail routed a few miles below the west rim of Crater Lake. But at least at Crater Lake the error has been somewhat mitigated by an alternative route, designated many years later, that climbs to and follows along several miles of the western rim.
Perhaps the reasoning in both cases was that hikers are to busy hiking to be bothered with seeing some of the most unique scenery in the country.