At Newberry National Volcanic Monument, we started out at the
Lava Lands Visitor Center and strolled along the Trail of the Molten Land. Loud rattling sounds filled the air, sounding very like lawn sprinklers and making us think of rattlesnakes. It soon became clear that the sound was coming from grasshoppers- male mourning cloak grasshoppers- and a most impressive sound it was for such a small critter! Lava Butte cinder cone dominates the landscape, and the effects of its activity are everywhere to be seen in the stark basalt rock. The view from the top of Lava Butte is said to be lovely, but there are only 10 parking spaces. Timed entry is gained by requesting a free pass, but when we arrived there was a wait of several hours and we decided against it. After exploring above the ground, we drove a short distance to
Lava River Cave, a huge lava tube that is quite popular for exploring. The ceilings are quite high and the floor is fairly smooth throughout. At some points it is like a cathedral. Caving lights attached to headbands are great for rough caves where it's best to have free hands, but Lava River Cave is easy to explore with inexpensive flashlights. I did my best to take pictures, and when we looked at them afterwards I was startled to discover eerie mist swirling around. I learned that the mist is actually
paranormal ghost ectoplasm! (I read it on the internet, so it must be true!)
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| Gray rabbitbrush. |
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| Mourning cloak grasshopper. |
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| Purple finch. |
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| Entrance to Lava River Cave. |
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| Ectoplasm! |
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| More ectoplasm! |
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