Fossil Falls Archaeological District in the Coso Range East of the Sierra Nevadas in California
64https://www.theamericansouthwest.com/fossil-falls The Fossil Falls Archeological District in the Coso Range, just east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California is a fascinating area that showcases weathered black volcanic rocks that were carved by an ancient waterfall from the runoff of glaciers in the tall mountains during the Last Ice Age. It's surrounded by Cinder cones, ancient volcanoes that erupted between 400,000 years until 10,000 years ago, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, just north of the Mojave desert. While exploring, you can marvel at the carved rocks and imagine the roar of the waterfall that once poured through the canyon until 10,000 years ago, when the river changed its course due to another eruption. The Ancient Ones used to live in the area around 20,000 years ago as they hunted the large Megafauna I talked so much about in my history podcast episode. Eventually though, the Alti-thermal made the area far too hot and the people abandoned the region. When the Southwest cooled again and mammals could live in the harsh environment, humans made a return migration to the region. They carved petroglyphs into the black volcanic rock and probably took shelter from the heat in the amazingly smooth empty pools that remind you of slot canyons on the Colorado Plateau. Flaked obsidian pieces from the American Indians are everywhere and I found multiple pieces in the dry river bed. North of the trail is a red cinder cone known as Red Hill and to the east is a line of ancient volcanoes. Enjoy the wonderful views and history of this peculiar and quiet spot near the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains and Death Valley National Park.