Lava Cast Forest Field Trip

Lava Cast Forest Field Trip

Led by Bob Jensen

Sunday, June 26, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Trip Recap

Thirteen participants on a warm morning.  No casts were found but plenty of great molds!

Please join Bob Jensen, retired Deschutes National Forest geologist, as we explore the Lava Cast Forest and surrounding area on the northwest flank of the Newberry Volcano.  The northwest flank of Newberry Volcano has been a locus of volcanic activity for more than a half million years. The most resent eruptions on the northwest flank occurred about 7000 years ago along a series of NW trending fissure alignments locally known as the northwest rift zone. Eruptions from 13 identified fissure segments extended from the north shore of East Lake northward to Lava Butte. The Lava Cast Forest is one area of interest along this eruptive zone.  The developed trail highlights abundant tree molds in the young flows, but in addition there are many other volcanic features to observe and learn about.

This trip meets at the Lava Cast Forest Trailhead (Parking Pass required) at 9:00 am.  There is a vault toilet but no running water at the trailhead. Google Maps link is below:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lava+Cast+Forest+Trailhead+Parking/@43.8274748,-121.3201056,13z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x54b891acd11e6169:0xb87b1f8b6238a2eb!8m2!3d43.8174868!4d-121.2886632

Participants from Bend or points north have the option to meet at the southwest corner of the Walmart Super Center parking lot on Pinebrook and convoy or ride share to the trailhead at 8:00 am.  There will be about three miles of walking with minimal elevation change.  About one mile will be on the developed, paved trail and the remainder will follow the intermittent remnants of an old trail with a few spots where we will have to navigate around dead fall or vegetation so wear footwear with good traction and bring hiking poles if you find them helpful.  Long pants are also recommended to provide protection from any attacking brush.  There is plenty of black lava and minimal shade so bring sun protection, snacks/lunch and plenty of fluids.  This trip will be postponed if mid-afternoon temperatures are forecast to exceed 90 degrees.  This trip is limited to 14 participants.  Contact the field trip coordinator, Derek Loeb ( DerekLoeb@gmail.com ), with questions.