Schonchin Butte
Schonchin Butte is a
cinder cone formation.
Frothy lava, cooled in the air, created the large cinder cones throughout
Lava Beds National Monument.
Schonchin Butte's three quarter mile long trail leads to a panoramic view from the historic fire lookout.
The lookout is staffed from June to September.
Butte is a geological word for any landform that sticks up abruptly,
but
cinder cone is a more descriptive geological way of describing
this landmark. Erupting more than 30,000 years ago, it spewed ash and cinders
into the air much like a can of soda when shaken.
A lava spatter rampart is at the very top. From the lookout panoramic views
of the Medicine Lake volcano,
Mount Shasta, Mount McLoughlin, the
Clear Lake Hills and the Warner Mountains can be seen.
On a really clear day, the south rim of
Crater Lake in
Oregon can be seen.
photo