Mt. Doom

This is where they filmed the sequences in Lord of the Rings for Mt Doom. The landscape is surreal and not a tree, insect or bird can be seen or heard. This is a very active volcano, last erupting in 2007. Puffs of steam from escaping gases be seen coming out of the crater. This park is also where they filmed Frodo and Sam descending into Mordor. What little plant life grows here is quite colorful: pale lime-green lichens and deep burgundy mosses contrast with the bright red and dark green lichens.
As much as we want to linger, it is a long hike and it would not be a good idea to miss the pick-up bus.