Indian Grinding Rock SHP

I left Black Chasm.

I continued south on Hwy 88.

Next stop:
Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park.


The Native American roundhouse is a visitor center and museum.



The tribe in this area is known as the Miwok.


The exhibit diligently traces Miwok history during the period of white settlement.



The Miwok built shelters and granaries out of branches and bark.



The discovery of Yosemite by white settlers was disastrous for the Miwok.



Another element to the park are Native American petroglyphs.



A short stroll outside reveals a Miwok Village.



And, the actual grinding rock.

Black Chasm

I got back on Rt. 88.

I continued down the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I reached the foothills and Volcano, CA.

Black Chasm National Natural Landmark is one of several private caverns in Gold Country open for guided tours.



It was the end of the season.



I had a private tour of the caves.



Black Chasm is rather deep.


It has some of the best formations I've seen.


Stalagmites (not shown) rise from the floor like dust "mites".


Stalactites cling "tight" to the ceiling.


Black Chasm has one of the largest displays of helictite crystals.



Helictite crystals form as water is pushed through rock pores.

The helictite crystal formations seem to defy gravity.


A scene from The Matrix III was shot here.



Black Chasm National Natural Landmark: