Geo 730: December 10, Day 709: Crater Rock

Here, we've come around to the south and far enough west that we can clearly see Crater Rock, a remnant dome from the most recent eruptive period (See "Old Maid Eruptive Period," near the bottom of this USGS page). It's that pointy dome near the middle of the summit amphitheater. The apron extending down the slope below it consists of pyroclastic flow deposits from repeated collapses of domes that grew during that eruptive phase. Timberline Lodge, our ultimate destination on this hastily re-planned day, sits near the bottom of that apron. It's a gorgeous building and area, so it's a little sad to consider that, in the event of new eruptive activity here, it will likely be utterly destroyed.

Photo unmodified. October 10, 2012. FlashEarth Location (approximate).