Bend, Oregon, is dwelling to among the most fascinating geological terrain within the Pacific Northwest. Towering volcanoes, historical calderas, and recent lava flows are a testomony to the area’s dramatic volcanic historical past, which continues to form the panorama at the moment.
If you happen to’re visiting Bend and are searching for a hike, it’s solely pure to discover the world’s volcanic options. Listed here are six must-visit mountaineering trails that had been cast by the Cascade Vary’s fiery eruptions.
1. Tumalo Falls
Tumalo Falls is likely one of the traditional facet journeys in Bend. The picturesque waterfall drops 97 toes over a ledge of dense volcanic basalt. The highest layer of soil within the space is shaped primarily of ash and pumice deposited by the traditional eruptions of Mt. Mazana — the volcano that blew its prime 7,700 years in the past to grow to be present-day Crater Lake in southern Oregon.
The trailhead is simply 14 miles west of Bend and is accessible to all mountaineering skills. The hike could be as fast as a 0.4-mile out-and-back to the perspective atop the falls, or you possibly can proceed on the North Fork Path to find much more waterfalls upstream. For an extended hiker, the Tumalo Falls loop covers 7 miles and passes by six waterfalls.
The hike is equally lovely within the winter months, providing snowy surroundings and a shocking frozen waterfall.
- Size: <1-8 miles
- Problem: Simple to reasonable
- Restrooms: Sure, at trailhead
- Parking: $5 recreation move required
- Canine friendliness: Canines allowed on leash on North Fork Path; no canine allowed in Metropolis of Bend Watershed (Swampy Lakes and Bridge Creek Trails)
- Hours: Accessible 24 hours; no in a single day parking at day-use space
2. Lava River Cave
The volcanic historical past of the land round Bend is seen not solely on the floor but additionally beneath it. Twelve miles south of city, you possibly can pay a go to to Lava River Cave. This underground lava tube extends for greater than a mile beneath Central Oregon.
When lava streams out of a volcano eruption, the outer edges start to chill and harden. Ultimately, as a deep channel types, the lava can grow to be utterly coated with strong crust. As soon as the lava drains, a hole chamber stays, reminiscent of Lava River Cave.
This cave is the longest identified lava tube in Oregon. A staircase gives quick access to the spacious inside, and strolling to the top and again is a 2.2-mile round-trip journey by means of pitch darkness.
If you happen to plan to hike the cave, you’ll have to e book a reservation prematurely. Additionally, make sure to carry or lease two mild sources — simply in case one fails — and bundle up, because the cave’s temperature stays a cold 42 levels Fahrenheit year-round.
- Size: 2.2 miles
- Problem: Simple
- Restrooms: Sure, at trailhead
- Parking: $5 recreation move required with reservation
- Canine friendliness: No canine allowed
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; final entry is at 2 p.m.; the cave is at the moment closed for the 2024 season; it would reopen Might 2, 2025
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3. Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park, positioned northeast of Bend, is a traditional instance of the area’s tumultuous volcanic historical past. Round 29.5 million years in the past, a large eruption precipitated the land across the park to break down into an underground molten lava chamber, forming the caldera wherein the park is discovered at the moment.
The eruption deposited an unbelievable 140 cubic miles of fabric, creating sediment layers so far as 75 miles from the caldera. A lot of the ash and pumice consolidated right into a rock referred to as tuff, which is how the park’s towering spires had been shaped.
In more moderen historical past, round 400,000 years in the past, runny basaltic lava from Newberry Volcano to the south flowed over a lot of the tuff, leaving solely the tall spires uncovered above the circulation.
The result’s a volcanic playground that includes steep climbs to peaks or light strolls across the Crooked River, which meanders by means of the park in two dramatic 180-degree turns. There’s a path for everybody to hike at Smith Rock, whether or not it’s the difficult 6-mile loop path on Distress Ridge, or the informal Rim Rock Path, which gives wonderful views with out breaking a sweat.
- Size: <1-6 miles
- Problem: Simple to troublesome
- Restrooms: Sure, at Welcome Middle and Bivouac Space
- Parking: $5 per car
- Canine friendliness: Canines allowed on leash
- Hours: Daybreak to nightfall
4. Mt. Bachelor
Mt. Bachelor is Bend’s premiere ski vacation spot within the winter, however exploring this dormant stratovolcano isn’t restricted to the snowy months. The 9,065-foot peak additionally affords wonderful mountaineering and sweeping 360-degree views from its summit.
Mt. Bachelor is comparatively new within the grand scheme of Bend’s volcanic previous, shaped between 18,000 and 15,000 years in the past. Hikers can begin from both Dawn Lodge or West Village, with a 2,600-foot climb to the highest over 6 miles round-trip.
Be aware of designated mountaineering zones so that you don’t unintentionally stray onto a busy mountain bike path.
- Size: 6 miles, 2,651 elevation acquire
- Problem: Tough
- Restrooms: Sure, at West Village and Pine Marten Lodge; hours topic to alter
- Parking: Free at Dawn Lodge or West Village; can also park alongside Century Drive
- Canine friendliness: Canines allowed on leash
- Hours: No restrictions, however in case you plan on utilizing chair lifts, hours begin from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. relying on the day
5. Lava Butte
Lava Butte and its corresponding lava circulation had been shaped by a single eruption 7,000 years in the past. Positioned south of Bend on I-97, Lava Butte is a textbook instance of a cinder cone. A paved highway makes a visit to the highest accessible by way of a 3.8-mile hike that climbs almost 600 toes.
On the prime, you possibly can see the hearth lookout tower, absorb views of the cinder cone’s lava circulation that extends northeast to the Deschutes River, and, if you’re up for it, full a loop across the volcano’s rim.
When you are at Lava Lands Customer Middle, you can even try the Path of the Molten Lands to discover the basalt circulation that poured out of Lava Butte millennia in the past.
- Size: 3.8 miles, 593 toes elevation acquire
- Problem: Reasonable
- Restrooms: Sure, on the customer heart
- Parking: $5 per car
- Canine friendliness: Canines allowed on leash
- Hours: Daybreak to nightfall
6. Huge Obsidian Circulate
Huge Obsidian Circulate is Oregon’s most up-to-date lava circulation, shaped throughout an eruption of the Newberry Caldera 1,300 years in the past. Guests can entry this distinctive geological function by way of stairs and a brief path that winds by means of the sector of pumice and glossy black obsidian.
The circulation was traditionally important to native tribes who sourced the obsidian for making instruments like arrowheads and blades. Whereas visiting, be at liberty to admire the mesmerizing volcanic glass, however keep in mind that it’s unlawful to take any dwelling. Be cautious when touching it, as obsidian is extraordinarily sharp.
- Size: 1 mile
- Problem: Simple
- Restrooms: Sure, on the trailhead
- Parking: $5 per car
- Canine friendliness: Suggested to not carry canine on account of sharp, jagged rocks
- Hours: No restrictions
This publish was sponsored by Fjällräven.
