Big Obsidian flow and Paulina Falls

Saturday found us back at the Newberry National Volcanic Monument to see some of the things we missed yesterday.  It is such a big area and our “can do” wears out a lot quicker than our “want to”…and so we just split the visit into manageable parts.

We stopped at the Paulina Visitors Center to get our National Parks Passport stamped.  You may remember that Judy designed the stamp for Grand Bay National Wildlife Reserve when she was volunteering there.  It’s just a fun way to keep track of the national parks and monuments that you visit.

There are always maps and other good information at the visitor’s centers so we try to stop at most of them.  The sign below gives a good overview of the Newberry Caldera area.  The Newberry Caldera is 17 square miles and estimated total volume is 120 cubic miles.  In comparison, Mount St. Helens is estimated to be 6 cubic miles. 


The Big Obsidian flow is Oregon’s youngest lava flow, dating only 1300 years ago.  Under some of this flow there is pumice and ash from the Mt. Mazama eruption that happened over 7,400 years ago.  That is the eruption that formed Crater Lake.  From the parking lot, you can walk a short distance to stand at the bottom of the obsidian wall.  You can see huge boulders of obsidian sparkling amongst the lava and pumice rocks. 


The sign below shows how massive the flow actually is.  The observable portion is only a small part of the entire flow.



The trail to the top is steep and includes many stairs.  We did not feel we were up to that.  The surface of the trail at the top is ground obsidian (glass) and it is recommended that dogs NOT be walked on that trail.  WE still had a good time and enjoyed walking in the forest at the base of the exhibit.  When the sun shines on these rocks, they sparkle like glass…well, because they are!!




How’d you like to have that big hunk in your yard?  I mean the obsidian hunk, not Russ.  He stays in MY yard!!!

We missed Paulina Falls yesterday but it was well worth returning to see these falls that drop 100 feet.  There was not a lot of water going over but I can just imagine how wonderful this display is earlier in the year.  In May of 1983, a large section of the cliff between the falls, fell to the base of the falls due to erosion and freeze-thaw action behind the cliff face. 


It is only a short walk from the parking area to the observation deck and picnic grounds.We walked for a way along this beautiful forest trail that goes along Paulina Creek.


Here’s a short video of the falls in action.

This is a view of the creek below the falls.


It seems that around every corner, even in the most unexpected places, there is a beautiful vista.  From meandering creeks, to rushing rivers; from tiny wildflowers to huge Ponderosa Pine trees, there is beauty everywhere you look.  I guess I can put up with being marooned on Gilligan's Island if I can enjoy such scenery.