Lava Beds Natl Mon Capt Jacks (Modoc War) Stronghold, CA (0999)

Poster describing the portion of the Modoc War fought in what is known as Captain Jack's Stronghold. "Captain Jack" is the name used by whites to refer to Kintpuash, chief of the Modoc tribe. Using the natural defenses provided by the lava beds, Kintpuash and about 50 other warriors (and their families) lived in the stronghold for 6 months, fighting off attacks by the U.S. Army. The Wikipedia link below provides links to other components of the story. A good guide book at the site provides documentation and describes a shorter and longer trail through the site. Unfortunately many of the signposts mentioned in the guidebook have disappeared or lost their numbering, and it was not possible to find the longer trail. Despite the extent of deferred maintenance, the scenery is gorgeous and exploring the site is a moving reminder of both the strength of the tribes and the imperialism of the takeover of the west. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modoc_War