Sculpted by Water, Fire & Ice: Landscapes of Destruction and Renewal
Dramatic volcanic eruptions, massive Ice Age floods, and powerful glaciers all helped fashion a dramatic landscape of destruction and renewal, reaffirming for any visitor the power of fire and water and geologic time.
“The mountains are young, still forming, as evidenced by the rumblings of St. Helens. Only one river has ever smashed through the spine of Cascades—the mighty Columbia, draining an area nearly the size of France, emptying more water into the Pacific than any in the Western Hemisphere.”
—Tim Egan, author
Examples of Sculpted by Water, Fire and Ice
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Salt Creek FallsSalt Creek Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Oregon at 286 feet high. The trail to the falls is easy to follow and the photographic opportunities are fantastic. There are unique native plants that are worth the time to study. In spring, native flowers are in…
Location: 5 Miles West of Willamette Pass Ski Resort on Hwy 58, Crescent Lake, OR 97425 -
Table RocksThe Table Rocks are two of the most prominent topographic features in the Rogue River Valley. These flat-topped mesas rise 800 feet above the north bank of the Rogue River between Sam’s Valley and Central Point. Though many people assume Upper Table Rock is taller…
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Mima Mounds Natural Area PreserveMounds upon mounds, most six-to-eight-feet tall, spread uniformly across hundreds of prairie acres, creating an otherworldly effect whose origins are yet understood. Follow the interpretive trail and ponder the mysterious landscape for yourself. Birders will find plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing at this preserve. The…
Location: Waddell Creek Road, Littlerock, WA 98556 -
Newberry National Volcanic MonumentNewberry National Volcanic Monument was established in 1990 to preserve its unique features, its history in the lives of Native Americans, and the beauty of the area. The Newberry Caldera area is often overlooked and is an incredible example of unspoiled Oregon beauty. The wildlife…
Location: Newberry National Volcanic Monument, OR -
Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic MonumentOn May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted with such force that it triggered the largest landslide in recorded history and destroyed surrounding forests and streams for hundreds of miles. Witness the enduring aftermath and subsequent regrowth for yourself—on the trails, at visitor centers, on…
Central Cascades Geotourism Map
