Trail of the Molten Land #3922
A interpretive site trail below Lava Butte through the lava bed.

Trail Name: Trail of the Molten Land #3922
Access: Trail (paved)
Distance: 1.32 miles (round trip)
Elevation Range: 4502' to 4636'
Ascent/Descent: +113 ft/-115 ft
Trail Type: In and out
Outing Type: Day hike
Permits/Fees: Recreation Pass Site, so NW Forest pass or other accepted passes are required for parking.
Notes: Trail is paved.
Location: Near Lava Butte in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon, U.S.A.
Administration: Deschutes National Forest
Area: Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Date Accessed: October 4, 2024

We started our hike around mid-morning. It was sunny and very windy out. The trail starts at 43.91046, -121.35685 behind the Lava Lands Visitor Center. The trail was paved and had interpretive signs along the path about the history of the lava flow that created Lava Butte and the surrounding area.

It was really cool to get to walk through. We did the “loop” clockwise. It’s not quite a loop, since near the end it meets up again and continues as one trail, up to Phil Brogan Viewpoint.

The last bit of the trail is a steeper climb, but the view is worth it. On a clear day there are views of Three Sisters out the west, as well as miles of lava bed. Since there were active forest fires to the west, the smoke fully obscured the mountains, but regardless the view was pretty cool. On the way back down we passed some people, but overall the trail wasn’t too crowded. We stopped and read all of the interpretive signs which definitely enhanced the experience.

I think a cool aspect of this trail is that one third of it is universally accessible, according to the Forest Service.

Map
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