In the magnificent forest around the cave entrance there are trails along which one gets inspiring views of forest-covered mountains and valleys. Along the trails one can observe many species of trees, mammals, and birds. Lava Beds National Monument Located in northeastern California, the monument includes an area of 45,000 acres. As the name suggests, volcanic formations, some of quite recent origin, are of greatest importance. There are hundreds of lava tubes which were once the passageways for streams of molten lava.
Volcanic cones rise above the general level of the adjacent country.
Within the monument there are interesting historical features including battlefields of the Modoc War of 1872-73. There are important ethnological and archaeological features. Petroglyphs on cliffs and pictographs in caves are evidence that the region was inhabited by primitive people long before the coming of the white man. They are to be heard or seen in great numbers nearly everywhere within the boundaries. The occurrence of these birds at the rim of Crater Lake seems to be coincident with the production of mature cones of the White-bark Pines and Mountain Hemlocks.