Hiking in ObsidianSep 15, 2011
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top of Lava Butte
Mt. Bachelor
heading down
Date: September 15, 2011
Tonight’s Location: Tumalo State Park
Mileage: End - 84791
Start - 84672
Total Miles for the day: 119
Weather: partly sunny
Temperature: start 47º
High 53º
Wildlife count: chipmunk, Douglas Squirrel, Mule Deer, Pine Marten
Had a relaxing morning and then drove south to the Newberry Volcanic National Monument, where we hiked to Paulina Falls, viewed Paulina Lake and East Lake and up Lava Butte. We were actually within a 17 square mile caldera, at the summit of a 500 square mile volcano! We were up and down over various lava flows and cinder cones – it was an amazing landscape. US Route 97 bisects the volcano, which was built upon a trail used first by animals, then early Paleo-americans, then pioneers and finally paved into a roadway.
We had lunch overlooking Paulina Lake, and then hiked the Obsidian Lava Flow – a ½ mile loop up and in and over and through the huge flow that contains basalt, pumice, and obsidian glass. It was fascinating, and at the same time, an exhausting hike. It would destroy shoes quickly.
Came home and relaxed a little, then got fuel, bought pop and ice, and had dinner at Applebees. It was a great day.
