Don't throw anything in the chimneys. They used to be over 100 feet deep but today are about half that, thanks to people throwing rocks in to test their depth. Volunteers are laboring to restore the chimneys to their original depth. A good flashlight is sufficient to see how deep they are.
Description
North of the turnout for Schonchin Butte Trail, on the west side of the main park road, a dirt road clearly marked by a sign with "Fleenery Chimneys" leads to the trailhead. Follow this dirt road for about one mile till it ends at a turnout and picnic area. The trailhead is located on the turnout.
The initial portion of the trail is paved and contains several rock stairs. Walking along the paved trail, head past the turn off for the picnic area moving east and continue northwest. Climb some stairs. The trail turns to dirt at the top of the stairs. Also at the top of the stairs is a formation called the Dragon's Mouth. This is an excellent example of a surface tube that was formed when pahoehoe lava flowed from the base of the spatter cones that created Fleener Chimneys. Follow the trail a little further to the chimneys. The chimneys themselves are ringed by metal railings.
Fleener Chimneys are spatter cones that were formed when magma and gases were released from Gillems Bluff, a major fault in the earth's crust. The gases and magma exploded out of the fault and burped up globs of molten lava that slowly built up the spatter cones. Lava flowing beneath the chimneys moved north and formed Devils Homestead lava flow, which extends 3.5 miles north along Gillems Bluff and is easily visible.
The book "Lava Beds Caves" by Charlie & Jo Larson is an excellent resource on some of the many formations found within the park. It is available for purchase at the Visitor Center.
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