Newberry National Volcanic Monument is located in Central Oregon south of Bend. The entire area consists of 50,000+ acres of lakes, lava flows, and spectacular geologic features.
We found another obsidian glass mountain called Big Obsidian Flow. This is Oregon's youngest obsidian flow, roughly 1300 years old.
Over 170 million cubic yards of obsidian and pumice erupted from a vent within the caldera.
A one-mile loop interpretive trail guides you across a corner of the flow. Native Americans once used the obsidian glass for trade and to make tools.
The Monument's summit, 7,985 foot Paulina Peek, offers views of the Big Obsidian Flow and the two alpine lakes, Paulina and East, that formed inside the crater of the 500 square mile volcano.
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| Paulina Falls |
A spiral road leads to the top of Lava Butte for a panoramic view of the Monument and surrounding area.
There is a working fire tower at the top of the butte. We took a trail around the rim to view the 400+ cinder cone strewn forest floor.
We followed a nine mile forest service gravel road to the Lava Cast Forest. Here we took the one-mile self guided interpretive trail winding across the 7,000 year old lava flow.
The lava flow enveloped a mature Ponderosa Pine Forest. As the hot lava flowed around the tree trunks, the shape of the trees left deep imprints as the lava cooled.
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| Two trees that grew together leaving imprints 10 feet deep. |
When lava surged through the stands of pine, some trees were pushed over by its force. Others snapped off and some remained standing, anchored by their roots.
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