Travel Trip Journey

Saturday 20 June 2020

The Iceland Svartifoss Waterfall

The Black Falls “Svartifoss” is a breathtaking waterfall in Skaftafell in Iceland. It is one of the most incredible and gorgeous sightseeing spots in the Vatnajökull National Park. The glacier area is surrounded by volcanic dark lava columns, which gave rise to its name. Further, the distinguished similar columnar jointing formations are seen at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, Devil's Tower in Wyoming, United States, and on the island of Staffa in Scotland.

There are also similar formations throughout Iceland, including a small cave on the beach of Reynisdrangar. The base of black falls is striking for its sharp rocks. The new hexagonal column sections break off faster than the falling water wears down the edges. These basalt columns have offered insight for Icelandic architects, most evidently in the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, and also the National Theatre.

The Black Falls is so stunning and tempted to step in for a short dip. Tourists came here to hike through a lush green park to the falls. The Black Falls are situated along a wonderful marked track just a few kilometers into the park. The lava flow cooled at a languid pace with frosty air, turned to a beautiful black color over its creation.

Ice-cold melting water from the Svinafellsjokull glacier feeds the Svartifoss waterfall. This wonder of nature fall tumbles down 80ft over a cliff which is bordered on both sides by tall black basalt columns, similar to pipes of a giant organ. Moreover, the cliffs contrast with the lush green flora & fauna and cascading falls and provide the site with its name.

Svartifoss Hike

The hike to Svartifoss is about one and a half kilometers takes 45 minutes to one way. The most beautiful and interesting part of this hike to come across three more waterfalls in the way. The other three waterfalls are Thieves’ Fall, Dog’s Fall, and Falls of Magnus. A small bridge nearby Svartifoss Waterfall allows you to get a closer view and takes photographs. The trail is a bit uphill along paved/gravel paths, so it does require an extra effort to reach the destination. So, if you are not physically fit, and then shape your body to familiar the climate & uphill task. Overall it is a fairly easy trail.

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Friday 19 June 2020

Devils Postpile California USA

Devils Postpile National Monument located near Mammoth Mountain in eastern California. Devils Postpile (the name refers to a dark cliff of columnar basalt) is a strange rock formation of columnar basalt, encompasses 798 acres. The area includes two main tourist attractions:

•Devils Postpile formation

•Rainbow Falls - A stunning waterfall in the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River

Furthermore, the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail merge into one trail and pass through the National Monument lies within the borders of the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the Sierra Nevada of California, USA. The Ansel Adams wilderness spans in an elevation from 3,500 to 13,157 feet, forming the northern end of the High Sierra.

Devils Postpile in Early 19th Century

The monument was once the part of Yosemite National Park California. However, the Devil Postile National Monument was created in 1911 and is widely and officially referred as plural without the apostrophe since the 1930s. Moreover, when the gold was discovered near mammoth Lakes actually left the Postpile monument a public land, and later on, built a hydroelectric dam blasting the Postpile into the river. John Muir, the president of Taft who was an influential Californian, persuaded the federal government to stop the demolition. There his voice was listening carefully, and President William Howard declared the area as a National Monument in 1911.

Animals, Birds and Flora and Fauna

The Devils Postpile area contains different animal species, i.e., pine martens, black bears, coyotes, mule deer, black cottonwood, quaking aspen, willows, and alder. There are numerous types of wildflowers such as alpine shooting star and cinquefoil are commonly seen. In the summer season, the white-crowned sparrows and Dark-eyed juncos are common.

Devils Postpile

Geologists believe, the area was come into being by a lave flow somewhere 100,000 years ago. Devils Postpile formational thickness estimated between 400 feet to 600 feet. Due to large thickness, the much of mass pooled lave cooled sluggishly and columns are shaped into long and so symmetrical. The columnar jotted in a certain shape due to types of lava contracts in the cooling process. After that, a glacier removed the mass of rock and polished the surface on top of the columns with visible glacial striations and glacial polish.

An average Postpile column is two feet in diameter, however, few are more than thick to around 3.5 feet and 60 feet long. Simultaneously they look like tall posts stacked in a pile. If the lava flow had cooled in a perfect way, then the columns would have been hexagonal. But, many columns have varied polygonal cross-sections due to variations in cooling. Moreover, another feature that the Devils Postpile in a special category is the lack of horizontal jointing.

Similar Structure

Hence, the basaltic columns are not unique, but indeed are impressive. Basalt columns are a common volcanic feature and occur on several scales. The most popular similar structure is Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, Svartifoss in Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, Fingal’s Cave in Scotland, Titan’s Piazza in Armenia, Prismas Basálticos in Huasca de Ocampo, Mexico, Sheepeater Cliff at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, "Organ Pipes" in New Zealand, Gilbert Hill in Mumbai, India, Oran Pipes National Park in Australia, and "Column Cape" in Chile. These days the Devils Postpile offers an active hiking and camping locations and wonderful view including that of the 100 feet Rainbow Falls.

Know before you go

During all winter, the Devils Postpile National Monument is closed and reopens in the summer. The Devils Postpile is an amazing place but worth the hike to the top. However, the hike to Rainbow Falls is a bit moderate. Also, it's a great hike from Devil's Postpile to Minaret Falls, easy walk but beautiful.

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Thursday 18 June 2020

Gilbert Hill - Mumbai, India

Gilbert Hill is a 200 ft (61 m) monolith column of black basalt rock in the middle of Andheri, in Mumbai, the state of Maharashtra, India. The rock has a sheer vertical face and was formed when molten lava was squeezed out of the Earth's clefts somewhere around 65 million years ago. During that era, molten lava had spread around most of the Indian states of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, covering an area of 19,000 sq mi. Gilbert is made entirely of black basalt made during the volcanic lave spread during the Mesozoic era. Gilbert Hill is a well-kept secret in the middle of urban sprawl, surrounded by trees and vegetation.

The volcanic eruptions were also responsible for the destruction of plant and animal life during that era. Geologist believes, this unique geological occurrence was the remnant of a ridge and had clusters of vertical columns in nearby Jogeshwari which were quarried off two decades ago. These vertical columns are akin to the Devils Tower in Wyoming, and the Devils Postpile in eastern California, the USA due to similarities in its sheer rock face and basalt-rock composition.

In 192, the Central Government declared Gilbert Hill a National Park under the Forest Act. In 2007, after years of lobbying by geologists, the hill was declared a Grade II heritage structure by the MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai), and all quarrying and other activities around the monument were prohibited. Gilbert Hill has faced severe erosion problems too in recent times.

The Hindu Temples are set at the atop of the rock column, and a small garden. You can access by a steep staircase carved into the rock. Gilbert hill offers a panoramic 360-degree view of suburban Mumbai. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation is doing efforts to make the Gilbert Hill into a tourist attraction and include it as a stop on a tour of Mumbai and protected it from quarrying and housing development.

Read More – Keyhole Sink Arizona

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Tuesday 16 June 2020

Bronson Caves – California

The remote looking craggy setting of Bronson Canyon, or Bronson Caves, is a section of Griffith Park in Los Angeles. The area is very popular among filmmakers and television directors to shoot their films and television series. The low budget films prefer this rugged wilderness to shoot their scenes at this easily accessible location from Hollywood. This popular location is located near Los Angeles, California feature a cave that is good for all skill levels.

The 0.6 miles the heavily trafficked trail has a number of activities options all year round. You can take your dogs on this trail as well. The Bronson Canyon Caves are one of the most off-beat, interesting, and unique attractions in California. Bronson Caves is still a unique versatility scenic spot with myriad opportunities to portray an array of climates and rugged landscapes. The Bronson cave became a go-to sci-fi and western location very early on in Hollywood history.

In 1903, the Union Rock Company took the excavation of crushed rock for construction work, leaving behind the Bronson Canyon Caves. The cave name was being derived from the stage actor Charles Bronson, who selects the name of Bronson Gate at Hollywood’s Paramount Studios. The popular Batman television series of 1966-68 It was filmed at Bronson Canyon Caves.a

The three blazed unmarked trails easily recognizable from the cavern site. The two trails are a little bit dangerous however the third one is a favorite trail among the kids due to easy access. Nice quick and cool cave walkthrough that the kids loved and the back shows a great view of the Hollywood sign. Trails are wide so you felt safe.

For those who want a longer hike, walk back down the trail and pick from 2 trails that are less then 2 miles long. A great little gem! It is really peaceful, and the structure really blocks out all the sound from the city and it’s a very easy short hole but definitely, worth primitive and hard inclines checking out!

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Saturday 13 June 2020

Keyhole Sink Arizona

In Arizona, almost 1,000 years ago, the ancient Cohonina people created Keyhole Sink. This is the canyon in the shape of a keyhole near Williams, in Kaibab National Forest. The seasonal waterfalls flow into the Keyhole Sink canyon. Keyhole Sink also called Box Canyon easily accessed by foot from unpaved pathway famous with Keyhole Sink Trail. It will take 20 to 2 minutes from Williams to the trailhead.

Archaeologist believes this area was used as a sort of sacred rest stop for hunters and clan initiations. Thus, research suggests, the surrounding of 15 miles are remnants of pit house foundations. The carved petroglyphs volcanic basalt, include lizards, frogs, deer, snakes, and amorphous pictures. These images were made by the Cohonina, who lived in this place from around 700 to 1100. These petroglyphs were badly affected by severe weathered in Aug 2010 vandals caused, however, they have been restored, but the damage is still evident. Now the petroglyphs are monitored through hidden cameras. Keyhole Sink Trail

It’s a 1.3 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail features stunning wildflowers and birds sounds. The trail is good for all skill levels, as you can use this trail with your dogs as well. Keyhole Sink trail is well marked and offers few activity options and best used from March to November. You can take your kids onto the trail, which is not a difficult option. Also, Sego lilies near the trailhead and water in the sink.

The petroglyphs are pretty worn off. Therefore, you have to be careful of bees! They like the mud during monsoon season and are pretty much everywhere. Make sure to check out the Hieroglyphs! Don’t forget to wear good mud boots if going in monsoon.

One of the deer petroglyphs is a remarkable depiction of a deer herd entering the canyon. You have to keep a sharp eye, as this site is an excellent place to encounter wildlife. Also, respect the irreplaceable traces of the past that you find along with it. Hence, leave them uninterrupted so that others may enjoy them as you have.

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Friday 12 June 2020

The Historic Kalyazin Bell Tower, Russia

The Kalyazin Bell Tower is a 244 feet Neoclassical campanile over the waters of Volga River opposite the old town of Kalyazin, in Tver Oblast, northwestern Russia. Kalyazin is a small town with a population of around 14,000 people. This town is 200km from Moscow and 160km from Tver. The steeple belfry was built in 1796 as part of the Monastery of St. Nicholas. Of its 12 bells, the largest weighed some 17,000kg. Kalyazin Bell Tower is also known as Nikolsky Cathedral Bell Tower, & Flooded Belfry.

It was cast in 1895 to commemorate the coronation of Nicholas II of Russia. In 1939, Joseph Stalin ordered to construct Uglich Dam, then the old parts of Kalyazin & architectural monuments were flooded and submerged under the Ulich reservoir. This includes medieval structures, Saint Nicholas Monastery and Troitsky Makariev Monastery.

In present days, katholikon was taken apart, while the campanile was left, a landmark towering above the water. The Kalyazin Bell Tower structured was severed as a marker for ships and sailors traveling the nearby towns. However, occasionally this tower was also used by Orthodox Christian ceremonies. You can still see majestic Bello tower is standing robustly risen from the water and pursuit of modernization of Russia.

You will a little bit disappointed to see the empty inside of the tower as fixtures and furniture were removed immediately before the water levels rose. Whereas originally just a tower, it has been filled in a bit and reinforced to give it more of an island stance. The average depth of 5 m and deep as 23 m in some spots, as most of the buildings, were damaged and covered by water.

Kalyazin Bell Tower is now becoming a popular tourist attraction, as visitors come to see the iconic ancient tower and marvel the many centuries-old structures. A small boat dock on the outside to facilitate the visitors. It also entices the swimmers to have dipped in the water. If you are going to this small beautify city, then make a plan to see this bell tower of the pre-Staling history of the USSR. In Kalyazin you can also, see the Kremlin, Red Square, the Mariinsky Theatre, and glimpses of everyday life in the USSR.