Union Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Union Peak |
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Union Peak with Mount McLoughlin in the background as seen from Crater Lake.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,714 ft (2,351 m) |
| Prominence | 1,509 ft (460 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | |
| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Union Peak |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Shield volcano |
| Volcanic arc | Cascade Volcanic Arc |
Union Peak is a special mountain in the Cascade Range of central Oregon. It is actually an old, worn-down shield volcano. You can find it close to Crater Lake, which is a famous lake inside another volcano.
Union Peak is located inside Crater Lake National Park. It's a great place to visit if you enjoy hiking and seeing amazing natural sights.
What is Union Peak?
Union Peak is a type of volcano called a shield volcano. Imagine a warrior's shield lying on the ground – that's how these volcanoes look. They have gentle slopes, not steep, cone-like shapes. This is because the lava that flowed from them was very runny.
Over a very long time, the peak has been "eroded." This means natural forces like ice and water have worn away parts of it. This process has shaped Union Peak into the mountain we see today.
How Union Peak Formed
Millions of years ago, Union Peak was an active volcano. It was part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a chain of volcanoes along the western United States. Over time, it stopped erupting.
During the Ice age, huge sheets of ice called glaciers moved across the land. These glaciers were like giant bulldozers. They slowly scraped away at the sides of Union Peak. This scraping created deep, bowl-shaped hollows called cirques. The very top of the mountain was left as a sharp, pointed peak, known as a glacial horn. This is why Union Peak looks so rugged and unique today.
Exploring Union Peak
Union Peak is a popular spot for hikers. From the 1930s to the 1950s, the top of Union Peak was used as a post for fire lookouts. People would stay there to watch for forest fires.
Today, you can hike to the summit. There is a trail that is about 5.5-mile (8.9 km) long. This trail connects to the famous Pacific Crest Trail, which is a very long hiking path. You can reach the start of the trail from Oregon Route 62. The hike offers amazing views of the surrounding area, including Crater Lake.
