NewBerry Volcanic National Monument

Blog Day 3 Tuesday:


Early in the morning we awoke, ate breakfast… Of course Mr. Black is up early and ready for the next stop… Then off to our adventure!

We have new handles (nicknames) for this HU crew, Sweets (the driver), McLovin (passenger seat), Tumms (middle seat right side), Smalls (middle seat left side), Spoons (not in picture). 

The morning drive lasted a looong time, only to find out we got lost…. We found our way through the Deschutes National Park to the Newberry Volcano National Monument area just before noon and met up with Christine Peterson, a Forest Service Supervisor. 

Mrs. Peterson explained the process of how Newberry separated from a National Forest Service to a National Monument. Very interesting information, not only about the environment but how politics plays a role in this transition. 

After the short talk by Mrs. Peterson, we educated by the experts about the landscaped map inside the facility. 

Amazing how vast the entire Volcanic area stretches... I am in awe!

At noon we watched a short movie regarding the entire area of the Volcanic vicinity, remarkably vast across the Oregon country. Deschutes or Newberry Volcano is the Largest Volcano in the Cascades stretching 56,000 acres.

After lunch, we then listened to another Ranger about the different Rocks and landscapes… I accidently broke a rock… testing it’s durability… I think it was called a pumice rock…, to my surprise, the Ranger said it was not a big deal, he now has 2 rocks. The ranger also discussed how the Volcano’s form the Caldera, the underground lava tubes, cinder cones among other interesting facts.

After the Rock and Landscape talks, we then embarked on the hike around the Lava bed, looking at the vast amount of Basalt Rocks, Lava bed, Fireball(s), the amazing scenery around us. We could see the mountain skylines, Sisters, Mount Baker…

Observing the amount of Basalt rock all over the landscape, also the lining of new Pine Trees that were planted about 50 years ago.

Above some of us students were comparing rock sizes and differences along the path. We were constantly reminded that this place is a monument and it is highly illegal to take anything from the site (rocks included), or we could face up to a $500 fine and up to 6 years in prison. Please enjoy the pictures…

A 

good 2 mile hike around this part of the Newberry Volcanic Monument Park. If you wanted to go on the top side, 

A person is required to take a shuttle. A remedy to avoid tremendous traffic and deterioration of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

This tree is an amazing piece of life (to me anyway), growing out of a lava rock… Now that is persistence! 

The Ranger referred this little downhill part of the path as the Roller Coaster part! 

 Of course this adventure would not be complete without a Group Photo!

The People of the Big River 2015 @ Newberry Volcanic National Monument.