Belknap Crater, Shield volcano in Linn County, Oregon.
Belknap Crater is a shield volcano located in Linn County, Oregon, rising to 2,095 feet (638 meters) with a broad, gently sloping summit. The surrounding landscape is defined by extensive basalt lava flows that cooled into dark, rocky terrain.
The volcano formed through multiple eruption phases that occurred between 3,000 and 1,500 years ago. Final volcanic activity took place around 480 AD.
The place holds meaning for its connection to huckleberry gathering, an activity that shaped how people moved through this landscape for generations. Local trails today follow routes that indigenous peoples once walked during their seasonal harvests.
Visitors need a permit to park at the trailheads that lead up the slopes. Starting your hike early in the day helps you avoid the busier hours and makes the experience more enjoyable.
Tree molds preserved in the lava show where ancient forests once stood before volcanic eruptions buried them. These hollow casts reveal the sudden power of the molten rock as it flowed across the land.
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