Black Crater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Crater |
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The mountain seen from the Dee Wright Observatory
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,257 ft (2,212 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 1,411 ft (430 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Deschutes County, Oregon, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Black Crater |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Late Pleistocene |
| Mountain type | Shield volcano |
| Volcanic arc | Cascade Volcanic Arc |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Trail |
Black Crater is a cool mountain in the Cascade Range of central Oregon. It's a type of volcano called a shield volcano. You can find it north of the famous Three Sisters mountains. It's also east of a place called McKenzie Pass.
This mountain has a unique shape because of ancient Ice Age glaciers. These huge ice sheets carved a big bowl-shaped hollow, called a cirque, into its northern side. Snow often stays in this shady spot even into late summer!
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Exploring Black Crater
Black Crater is a fun place to explore. It offers great views and a chance to see nature up close.
What is a Shield Volcano?
Black Crater is a shield volcano. Imagine a warrior's shield lying on the ground. That's how these volcanoes look! They are wide and gently sloped. This shape comes from very runny lava that flows easily. It spreads out far before it cools down.
How Glaciers Shaped the Mountain
Long, long ago, during the Ice Age, huge glaciers covered much of the land. As these massive ice rivers moved, they slowly carved out parts of the mountains. On Black Crater, they created a large "cirque." This is a deep, rounded valley on the side of the mountain. It looks like a giant scoop was taken out!
The Old Fire Lookout
Many years ago, in 1925, a United States Forest Service fire lookout tower stood on the very top of Black Crater. People used these towers to spot forest fires early. This helped protect the forests and nearby towns. The tower on Black Crater is gone now. But if you look closely, you might still see parts of its old foundation. It's a reminder of its important past.
Hiking to the Summit
If you love hiking, you can climb to the top of Black Crater! There's a special trail that leads to the summit. It's about 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) long. The trail starts from the northwest side, near Oregon Route 242. As you go higher, the path wraps around to the northeast side. The hike offers amazing views of the surrounding area.
