Newberry National Volcanic Monument
| Newberry National Volcanic Monument | |
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IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)
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| Location | Deschutes County, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°41′39″N 121°15′07″W / 43.69417°N 121.25194°WCoordinates: 43°41′39″N 121°15′07″W / 43.69417°N 121.25194°W |
| Area | 55,500 acres (225 km2) |
| Created | November 5, 1990 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Newberry National Volcanic Monument |
Newberry National Volcanic Monument was designated on November 5, 1990, to protect the area around the Newberry Volcano in the United States. It was created within the boundaries of the Deschutes National Forest and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It includes 50,000 acres (20,000 ha) of lakes, lava flows, and spectacular geologic features in central Oregon.
Newberry National Volcanic Monument consists of four primary visitor destinations: Lava Butte, Lava River Cave, Lava Cast Forest, and Newberry Caldera.
The highest point within the monument is the summit of Paulina Peak 7,985 ft (2,434 m), with views of the Oregon Cascades and the high desert. Paulina Peak may be accessed by road during the summer months, and as the road is both steep and rough, with hairpin turns towards the summit, trailers or long vehicles are discouraged. The summit area of Newberry Volcano holds two alpine lakes full of trout, East Lake and Paulina Lake.
The Big Obsidian Flow, created 1,300 years ago, covers 700 acres (280 ha). The black, shiny obsidian field is easily accessible from good roads within the caldera, or a trail that traverses the flow.
Lava Cast Forest is roughly 25 total miles south of Bend, accessible via a 9-mile (14 km) dirt road from U.S. Highway 97. Lava Cast Forest contains a 7,000-year-old lava flow that created casts of ancient trees.
Lava Butte is roughly 11 miles south of Bend, Oregon. Lava Butte is a cinder cone volcano that rises 500 feet (150 m) above the Lava Lands Visitor Center. It can be accessed by either vehicle or hiking up a paved road. Iinterpretive signs, views of the surrounding lava flow and mountains, and an active fire lookout are found on top.
Lava River Cave is roughly 13 miles south of Bend. Lava River cave is open to visitors from May through September. Lava River Cave is the largest uncollapsed lava tube in Oregon, and may be explored by lantern. Temperatures in the cave average 42 °F (6 °C)White-nose syndrome has not yet affected resident bats in the cave.
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Wikipedia