Table Mountain

Table Mountain in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills is a long, flat-topped ridge extending from Lake Tulloch to west of Columbia along the Stanislaus River. Formed when lava flowed down an ancient river channel about 10.4 million years ago, it became a classic example of inverted relief as erosion wore away the surrounding softer rock and left the lava-capped channel standing high above the landscape. Beneath it lie older volcanic and sedimentary formations and ancient gold-bearing gravels that were heavily mined. Its summit also supports seasonal vernal pools, native wildflowers, and nesting white-throated swifts, making it significant both geologically and ecologically.

California · United States