Pelican Butte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pelican Butte |
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Pelican Butte from across Agency Lake
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,037 ft (2,450 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 2,196 ft (669 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Klamath County, Oregon, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascades |
| Topo map | USGS Pelican Butte |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Shield volcano |
| Volcanic arc | Cascade Volcanic Arc |
| Last eruption | Less than 300,000 years ago |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Dirt road |
Pelican Butte is a large, quiet volcano in southern Oregon. It is a type of volcano called a shield volcano, which means it has gentle slopes like a warrior's shield. Pelican Butte is part of the Cascade Range, a chain of mountains and volcanoes.
This mountain is considered a dormant volcano, meaning it's not erupting now but could in the future. Its last eruption was a very long time ago, over 300,000 years ago!
Pelican Butte stands tall, rising more than 3,800 feet (about 1,158 meters) above Upper Klamath Lake. It is located about 28 miles (45 kilometers) south of Crater Lake and 12 miles (19 kilometers) northeast of Mount McLoughlin.
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Exploring Pelican Butte's Unique Features
Pelican Butte has some interesting features shaped by nature.
How Glaciers Shaped the Mountain
During the Ice age, huge sheets of ice called glaciers moved across the land. These glaciers carved a big, bowl-shaped area into the northeast side of Pelican Butte. This bowl is called a cirque.
Today, this steep cirque is a popular spot in winter. People who love adventure go there for backcountry skiing and snowmobiling.
Plans for a Ski Area
For many years, there have been ideas to build a ski area on Pelican Butte. If a ski resort were built here, it would be one of the biggest in Oregon. Skiers could go down more than 3,800 feet (1,158 meters) from top to bottom. This would be even more than the 3,590 feet (1,094 meters) at Timberline Lodge ski area on Mount Hood.
However, none of these plans have been approved yet. The United States Forest Service needs to give permission before any building can start.
Pelican Butte's Role in the Forest
Pelican Butte is located within the Fremont-Winema National Forest. This forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
The Fire Lookout Tower
In 1935, the Forest Service built a fire lookout tower on the very top of Pelican Butte. These towers help forest rangers spot wildfires from far away. Over the years, the tower was updated several times.
In 1986, a new, modern steel tower was built. This tower is about 40 feet (12 meters) tall and is still there today. It has many microwave and radio antennas on it, which are used for communication.
Reaching the Summit
You can get to the top of Pelican Butte by driving on a dirt road. This road is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) long and winds its way up the western side of the volcano.
