Crack In The Ground

Crack in the Ground, or more accurately, volcanic fissure in the ground, resembles a slot canyon - Pacific Northwest style. A pair of igneous cliffs covered in moss stretch up to 70 feet tall from the fissure's bottom, separated by only arm's width in some sections. Birds sail up and down its length, occasionally tending to their nests in its walls. The bottom of the crack, sometimes up to 20 degrees cooler than the surface, can keep ice frozen in the spring. This isolated place is truly a unique adventure to experience. Because this fissure is in the arid climate of Christmas Valley, it has not filled with soil and vegetation as do most other volcanic fissures in the Northwest. While it is possible to walk the entire length of the 2 mile crack, several sections are impassible due to rock fall.There is quite a bit of scrambling involved over boulders large and small. The canyon is actually broken up into several gradual entrances and exits of varying in depth and length. A trail along the top of the crack on either side exists as well. Plan to spend time exploring the crack!