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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 2021)
2B | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021 | APPEAL TRIBUNE Volcano Continued from Page 1B Newberry exists as part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and is considered an active volcano, with a long histo- ry of eruptions, both major and minor. The monument plays host to a wide variety of fea- tures, from otherworldly lava flows, to overlooks that provide sweeping views of the landscape and the Cas- cades. A visit to Newberry can provide unique insight into Oregon’s history and future. Explore the Caldera The Newberry Caldera offers stunning views, lakes, lava flows, hiking and camping options. The caldera’s formation dates back to Newberry’s last big eruption. However, several eruptions in the last 10,000 years ir- revocably shaped the biology and geology of the re- gion. “The latest large eruption was about 80,000 years ago and that eruption created the caldera as we know it today,” said John Ceballos, the lead ranger for the La- va Lands section of the monument. The caldera is located in the southern part of the monument, playing host to some of the most attractive sites, including Paulina Peak, Paulina and East Lakes, Big Obsidian Flow and Paulina Falls. It’s a good place to begin exploring the area, although the monument’s main visitor’s center and several other sites are a half- hour to the north. The paved Trail of Molten Lands takes visitors through a lava field. Visit Paulina Peak The rim of the Newberry Caldera rises sharply to Paulina Peak. At an elevation of 7,984 feet, Paulina stands as the highest point of the volcano. Visitors to the monument have two choices if they want to enjoy the 365 degree views from the summit, a road and a trail. The landscape that stretches in all di- rections from the top is breathtaking and, according to Ceballos, some regard it as “the best view in all of Ore- gon.” Directions for Paulina Peak from the caldera’s main roadway, Forest Service Road 21, will lead to a gravel road. This will lead to a small parking lot, where the trailhead is located. Past the parking lot and through a gate, the road continues up to the summit. I took to the trail. At two miles from trailhead to the summit, the hike might not seem challenging but don’t underestimate a steady climb of 1,400 feet that could wear down children or plenty of adults. Remember, there’s also a road to the top. The trail begins climbing up through a densely wooded area, but it’s not long before clearings reveal teasers of the views to come from the summit. As the trail continues, striking cliff faces that make up the peak and caldera around it come into view through the trees. The trail moderates as it wanders through the whi- tebark pines. Then, in the final quarter mile, a steady uphill path takes you along the tree line at the edge of the caldera’s face, before reaching the top. Drive to the top Some opt to drive a narrow, bumpy gravel road, which switchbacks up the side of the caldera, all the way to the summit. Trees line the road, the forest slop- ing down off the side of the peak and stretching to- Obituaries Helen Bonogofski CANBY - Helen Mar- lene Bonogofski, 80, of Canby, Or, passed to the loving arms of her Heav- enly Father on October 4, 2021. Helen was born July 14th, 1941 in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada. She is the second child of Frank & Rosalie Bonogofski. Helen’s family relocated to Salem, Oregon where she excelled in art and graduated from South Salem High School in 1960. Helen had a lifelong love of art and gardening. She worked for Albertsons and Safeway in their bakeries. When an opening became available at Roth’s IGA for a cake decorator, she jumped at the chance! Helen worked for Roth’s in both Woodburn and Silverton. During her 29 year career with Roth’s, she decorated everything from baby shower cakes to graduation cakes! She was known as “The Cake Lady” who performed miracles with her wedding cake creations. People drove from Portland to get a cake decorated by Helen and she served generations of families for birthday cakes! After retirement, Helen became a caregiver for several people including her own mother. As a Christian leader in our family, she was our “Angel on Earth” and will be missed beyond mea- sure. She led her life according to the scriptures in the Bible. She was giving and selfless, as she served others at all times. She was incredibly considerate and was a care taker to all she met that may be in need. She was a long time member of The People’s Church and Salem Evangelical. Helen adored her grandchildren, Matthieu and Lauren Billadeau. She welcomed a great grand- daughter this summer, Eliana. She is survived by five siblings, her daughter Dana Gee, an adopted daughter Kristina Hargie, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A viewing will take place on Oct. 14, 2021 from 2PM to 8PM at the Virgil T Golden Funeral Service located at 605 Commercial St SE, Salem OR 97301. A service to celebrate her life is planned for Oct. 15, 2021 at 6:30 PM at The River Church located at 4675 Portland Rd NE STE 190, Salem, OR 97305, with a reception to follow. Donations can be made in her name to her two favorite charities. Love A Child and Saving Moses The summit of Paulina Peak stands at 7984 feet, the highest point on the volcano. Part of the caldera’s rock face is visible on the hike to the summit of Paulina Peak. PHOTOS BY EDDY BINFORD-ROSS wards the mountains on the horizon. The road remains open until late October or early November, depending on the weather. Looking straight out from the peak in any direction, mountains march along the horizon. Some of the more recognizable ones, such as the Three Sisters and Bro- ken Top, host splotches of snow, a sign of the coming winter. On a clear day, the Cascades can be seen stretching south to Mount Shasta in California and north to Mount Adams in Washington. From the summit, a lush green forest sprawls across the land below, dotted by the two lakes nestled in the caldera, Paulina Lake and East Lake. The sister lakes host popular spots to fish and boat, as well as resorts that offer lodging and dining. Hike through Oregon’s youngest lava flow Cutting a space in the trees towards Paulina Lake is the Big Obsidian Flow. The lava field is a mix of the more common pumice and obsidian, which creates shining black spots and lines within the flow. “Obsidian, sometimes referred to as volcanic glass, is both beautiful and remarkable,” Ceballos said. The Big Obsidian Flow is only approximately 1,300 years old, which, in geologic terms, is very recent, ac- cording to Ceballos. The minor eruption which caused the flow is the youngest in Central Oregon. A short trail cuts through the obsidian and pumice, accessible from a marked turnoff a couple miles down Forest Service Road 21 from the Paulina Peak road. The trail, made of crushed rocks, has signs detailing the history of obsidian and the flow itself. Enjoy the Twin Falls On the winding road back towards Highway 97, turn-offs offer various campsite options and other sights to visit, such as Paulina Falls, draining from Paulina Lake. Two falls stand adjacent, mirroring each other. The water tumbles 80 feet down, cascading over the stone walls onto the pile of volcanic rocks below. From the parking lot just off the road, visitors can walk a short distance to a picnic and observation site overlooking the falls. A short trail, a quarter-mile downhill, tracks down to the bottom, offering a head- on view of both. Lava Lands: Cinder Cones and Lava Flows A half-hour north on Highway 97 from the caldera area, the second section of the monument is known as the Lava Lands. In the summer, the area serves as the informational hub for the monument, with rangers available to provide information about the area. In the off-season, Lava Lands continues to offer several pop- ular sites, the Lava Butte and lava field, all in relatively close proximity. “It’s always nice to walk out on the Trail of Molten Lands or to go up to the top of Lava Butte and get a view of the area,” Ceballos said, referring to two hikes locat- ed right outside the visitor’s center. Formed in an eruption some 7,000 years ago, Lava Butte stands firmly within the miles-long lava flow. The butte itself is one of more than 400 cinder cones belonging to the Newberry Volcano. A paved road circles up the cone, eventually reach- ing the top a few miles later. The Lava Butte offers views of the lava flow below, the Newberry Caldera to the south and the Cascades. Although closed to vehicles at this point in the sea- son, the top of the Lava Butte can be accessed by foot, weather-permitting. To access it, visitors can follow signs from the Lava Butte Visitor Center and use the small pedestrian gate to access the road. Below the butte, an interpretive trail, the Trail of Molten Lands, snakes through the lava flow. The paved path leads through the field of once molten lava, now an impressive expanse of basalt lava rocks. Along the trail, signs tell the story of the butte’s formation and the lasting impact eruptions have on the flora and fau- na. The trail to the summit of Paulina Peak meanders through whitebark pines. At the end of the trail, a viewpoint provides a sweeping picture of the lava flow, forest beyond and, ultimately, the Cascades on the horizon. Many of the most prominent mountains in the state are visible from this point, including Mount Bachelor, the Sisters, and Broken Top. A little way south is the Lava River Cave. The cave is “the longest navigable lava tube in Oregon,” according to Ceballos. Usually a popular attraction, it is closed for construction until May of 2022. Becoming a monument The monument itself was established a little over 30 years ago in 1990 and was placed under the operation of the U.S. Forest Service. The fight to create the monument was kick-started by efforts to develop the area into a hub for geothermal energy in the 1980s. Locals who wanted to see the landscape remain un- changed created a proposal to establish a monument there. U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio took up the cause, get- ting Congress to establish the monument in 1990. “Newberry, really from the get-go, has had an over- whelming amount of support from the local communi- ty, and that is really a special thing that continues to this day,” Ceballos said. A Long History of Human Activity The area has drawn people in, long before it became a national monument. Evidence found while develop- ing the monument includes one of the oldest struc- tures in North America. According to Thomas Connel- ly, an archeologist at University of Oregon, there is evi- dence of occupation in the caldera area going back al- most 11,000 years. Indigenous people lived in the caldera for thou- sands of years, until the time of the Mount Mazama eruption, which formed Crater Lake and covered the Central Oregon area in ash. “The Newberry Volcano erupted shortly after (Mount Mazama) and that changed the environment within the caldera dramatically,” Connelly said. The combination of these two eruptions created what Connelly referred to as a “pumice desert,” within the caldera. There is little evidence that people inhab- ited the caldera after this, as the land was much less welcoming. However, trips to the caldera to mine obsidian, a common byproduct of Newberry eruptions, were com- mon. Obsidian was used frequently for tools. “Obsidian became a very valuable trade commodity and was traded far and wide in native communities,” Connelly said. Archaeological evidence suggests that since there have been humans living in Central Oregon, they have been coming to the Newberry Volcano. Throughout history, people have been drawn to the volcano, just as they are to this day. Eddy Binford-Ross is the Outdoors Intern at the Statesman Journal. Contact her at ebinfor- dross@statesmanjournal .com or follow on Twitter @eddybinford ross.
