Big Lava Trail

November 2, 2000

Today our little group of Cascadians walked what we call the Big Lava Trail. This is the Pacific Crest Trail going south from the Indian Heaven Wilderness. It goes alongside and over a huge lava flow. It was a good day for hiking, except that we saw only a few minutes of sunshine in the morning.

[Click on any thumbnail picture to enlarge it.]

#39 This section of the Pacific Crest Trail weaves in and out of an immense lava bed.	#40 There are many caves and lava tubes.	#41 During our few minutes of sunshine we crossed this monolith.
#43 It doesn't take long for moss to start growing on rocks, but trees??	#45 Today there were mushrooms everywhere.	#46 Where the trail gets away from the lava, the walking is easy.
#53 We thought someone had built a temporary shelter, but it was only a splintered tree!	#55 The sound of our footsteps changed when there was a cave under the lava shell supporting the trail.	#56 More lava next to and under the trail.