Pine trees towering over an ancient lava flow at Lava Lands Visitor Center, in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Oregon. You can see South Sister and Broken Top in the distance.

The 0.4-mile Trail of the Whispering Pines winds its way through the forest near the visitor center. You get great views of pine trees, Lava Butte, and several nearby volcanoes. This path sits on part of Newberry Volcano, a 1,200-square mile shield volcano.

South Sister, pictured on the left above, is the youngest and most geologically active of the Three Sisters volcanoes. The mountain last erupted 2,000 years ago, but a “bulge” began forming in 1997. By 2001, the bulge grew to 9 inches in height and 10 miles in diameter. Its growth since that time has slowed considerably. Both South Sister and Newberry are regularly monitored for volcanic activity.

Thursday Tree Love

SoyBend

Centered in Bend, Oregon, my blog branches out into nature, history, and art-related topics.

View Comments

Recent Posts

Bridge 99 Brewery: Foodie Friday

I recently had this pizzetta at Bridge 99 Brewery, a small brewery in northeastern Bend,…

4 hours ago

Bittern in bushes haiku: Birds of the Week

bittern in bushesstand motionless in plain sightunswayed by spring's breeze American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, at…

3 days ago

Space (& Aviation) Museum: LAPC

In this post, I'll focus on the Space part of the Evergreen Aviation and Space…

5 days ago

Barn owl drawings, painting, & photos: First Friday Art

Today I'm sharing a few pen and ink drawings I did of barn owls. There…

1 week ago

Trilobite mass death fossil: WW & WP

Trilobite mass death fossil at Wyoming Dinosaur Center, Thermopolis, Wyoming Wordless Wednesday (WW) Weekly Prompt…

1 week ago

Summer Lake scene: Water water everywhere

Summer Lake scene in Oregon Water water everywhere (WWE) Bend Branches always appreciates your comments…

2 weeks ago