Dee Wright Observatory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dee Wright Observatory |
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Observatory at the summit of McKenzie Pass
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| Location | McKenzie Pass, Lane County, Oregon, United States |
| Created | 1935 |
| Operated by | U.S. Forest Service |
The Dee Wright Observatory is a unique building at the very top of McKenzie Pass in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. It's an open shelter built from lava rocks. The observatory sits in the middle of a huge area of hardened lava. From here, you can see amazing views of many Cascade mountain peaks.
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Where is the Observatory?
The Dee Wright Observatory is located in the Willamette National Forest. It's about 15 miles (24 km) west of Sisters, Oregon on Route 242. This highway is part of the McKenzie-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway. McKenzie Pass is very high up, about 5,325 feet (1,623 m) above sea level. Because of heavy winter snow and the narrow road, McKenzie Pass is closed to cars from November to July each year. Sometimes, cyclists can still use the road when it's closed to vehicles.
What is the Observatory Like?
The observatory is an open building made from basaltic andesite lava. This lava was found right at the building site. The viewing windows are special. They are cut to perfectly frame the nearby mountains. These "lava tube" viewing holes help visitors easily spot different Cascade peaks.
On the observatory's roof, there's a 36-inch (90 cm) wide bronze "peak finder." It's like a big compass that helps you find nearby mountains and other cool land features. From the top of the observatory, you get a wide view of the Cascade Mountain Range. You can even see Mount Hood far to the north!
Many mountains are easy to see from Dee Wright Observatory. These include Mount Jefferson, Black Butte, Black Crater, North Sister, Middle Sister, and Mount Washington. On clear days, you might also spot Mount Hood and other peaks.
A short trail called the Lava River Interpretive Trail starts at the observatory. It's about half a mile long and takes you on a 30-minute walk through the lava beds. The trail is paved and easy to follow. Signs along the trail explain the geology of the area. The trail also offers open views of the landscape around you.
History of the Observatory
McKenzie Pass follows an old wagon route from the 1860s. This old route went through a huge lava flow, about 65 square miles (168 km²) in size. At the top of the pass, the wagon road had to be cut right through the lava. Because of this, most early travelers used other routes over the Cascades. Today's highway still follows that old wagon route past the observatory.
The Dee Wright Observatory was built during the Great Depression. A group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built it. These were young men who worked on public projects. They worked at Camp Belknap, near Clear Lake. The observatory was finished in 1935. It was named after the construction foreman, Dee Wright. He had worked for the United States Forest Service for 24 years and sadly passed away the year before the observatory was finished.
The United States Forest Service still takes care of the Dee Wright Observatory today. Thousands of people visit it every summer when McKenzie Pass is open.
Images for kids
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A closer look at the Dee Wright Observatory.
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