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What to do
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Thomas-wright battlefield
The Thomas-Wright trail has everything--geology,
wildflowers, wildlife, and history. As you start down the trail, observe
the high desert landscape with sagebrush and other perennials of
rabbitbrush, mountain mahogany, bittercherry, and fern bush dotting the
area. A short side trip to the right will take you to Black Crater,
another interesting spatter cone. Back at the main trail you'll follow
along the edge of the lava flow from Black Crater. Picture the flow
being pushed from behind and large chunks breaking off and welding
together as the flow hardened.
If it is a hot day, sit on the bench in the shade of the western
juniper. Examine its roots and the staghorn lichen covering its
branches. The spatter cone nearby is part of the Ross Chimney flow. A
short distance down the trail is the only signed tree mold in the
monument. Many wildflowers show their splashes of color along the trail
throughout the summer. Mariposa lilies, asters, fleabane, chaenactis,
and stephanomaria are only a few. Walking a little further, reveals a
great panoramic view of the entire monument. Lizards, grasshoppers,
caterpillars, coyote scat, deer, and pronghorn tracks can be spotted if
you look closely.
At last the Thomas-Wright Battlefield is reached. A unique and unusual
battle took place here. Read the interpretive signs. Try to put yourself
in the battle--soldier or Modoc, how do you think you might act? Return
to the parking lot by the same trail. What a great experience you've
just had! Give it some thought.
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