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Published: August 1st 2010
Newberry Crater... it's last eruption of activity created the Big Obsidian Flow. It happened about 1300 years ago, and caused masses of Obsidian to be scattered everywhere with big lava flows. Big Obsidian Flow is about 1.8 kilometers (6,000 feet) long and locally thicker than 20 meters (65 feet). The Obsidian pieces run enormous here. The boulders are really amazing to see in person.
Obsidian is volcanic glass, and this area is coated with it.
Apparently we were just a few days shy of a mass migration of frogs at the Big Obsidian Flow. Turns out, that in August thousands and thousands of frogs, make a mass migration UP and over the flow from lost lake down below. They don't know why they do this, as it is bizarre for them to go up and over the flow, but they do. It is difficult to hike the rocky trails in the month of August, because there are so many frogs, it's hard not to step on them. Maco did see a few frogs while he was out there exploring, I however did not. I was looking and looking but couldn't find any. I would love to see the mass migration
Big Obsidian Flow 1
A little information post about this amazing area!!of the frogs though, so perhaps we'll be able to get back to see them in action.
You really should wear sneakers or hiking shoes while exploring here. The pumice and obsidian is really sharp and jagged. I think I was too excited when we got here, because I never changed my flip flops to sneakers, and just went for it. I was successful here to not get any cuts or have any falls. No obsidian tore thru my flops. Though I was limited more so on my explorations because I didn't take too many risks. I guess thats why Maco seen some frogs & I didn't.
The natives used to come to this area from all over the Pacific Northwest to quarry the obsidian to use for their tools & hunting gear. It's an amazing spot to visit. You can see the three sister mountians off on the distance while up on the flow. You can also see Mt. Thielsen too. While we were there we could see a huge thunderstorm off in the distance in the Eastern sky. We even heard some thunder. We were lucky that the storm was moving towards the South and not heading towards
us, because this place warranted spending some time here. We loved it.
It's truly amazing to see what the powers of volcanic activity can do. This place was definately a favorite.
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