Physical Geology Spring 2007 Field Trip: The Columbia Gorge & Mt. Saint Helens, Washington.

Cassie Strickland, Instructor

Day One: We left campus and traveled down I-97 south to the Columbia Gorge. We passed through the Yakima Fold Belt, the Satus volcanic field (part of the Mt. Adams volcanic suite), and started our trip where I-97 meets Washington highway 14. We traveled west on 14 to our first stop, Maryhill Museum, where we reviewed the general geologic history Gorge and discussed the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG). After familiarizing ourselves with the basic geology, we traveled on to Horse Thief Butte. Students were able to climb into the CRBGs. This locale is a ‘hot spot’ for local climbers, and ancient Native American art buffs. Pictographs can be found on the Butte, but they are not very obvious.

Pictures:

Left- Physical Geology 2007 Spring Class, and a few tag-a-longs from the Historical Geology 130 class: Front Row, left to right: Lupe Lagunas, Erica Rodriguez, Ariel Garza, Warren Clark, Stephanie Tucker. Top Row, left to right: Danielle Palacios, Frannie Andrews, Shane Seimears, Lindsey McCallum and Lester Smith (dressed up for his extra credit. No, that is NOT the way he normally dresses!)

Middle- Looking west from Horse Thief Butte at Mt. Hood.

Right- Students climbing basalt at Horse Thief Butte.

We traveled highway 14, noting the geology as we drove. I love geology @ 55 m.p.h. (Thanks Dr. Mark Camp!) After several geology stops and one museum tour at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, we finished the day at the Bonneville Dam (no pictures prior to this….camera died after Horse Thief!). Looking east from the dam, one can easily see the landslide scar that gives evidence to the “Bridge of the Gods” legend. I purchased batteries at the dam store (pun intended) and started clicking again.

Pictures:

Left: Bonneville Dam Fish Ladder, Dave & Shane enjoyed the salmon & shad.

Right: Landslide Scar on mountainside. Note the steep, barren face, as compared to the forested gentle slopes adjacent. Wrong time of day to take this picture for best contrast!

The day ended at the Beacon Rock group camp at Beacon Rock State Park. Beacon Rock is the largest monolith in the United States. This monolith almost became jetty fodder, until a philanthropic individual purchased the rock and donated it to the state some years later. The rock is CRBG. After setting up camp, Lindsey and I ran the ROCK. Other students were chicken.

Pictures:

Top- Panoramic view of Columbia Gorge, looking to the east from the top of Beacon Rock.

Bottom- Panoramic view of HALF of the campground. This is at 8:30 am. WHERE are the students?

DAY TWO: Mt. St. Helens

We entered Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument from the west side. Students experienced first hand the devastation caused by the 1980 eruption. 27 years later, the effects of the eruption are still fresh. At the Coldwater Ridge observatory, students could view the new lava dome building inside the 1980 crater.

Pictures:

Top, Left- left to right, Stephanie, Shane, Erica, Ariel, Danielle, Frannie and Warren. Of course, Lester in front, tasting fresh volcanic soils. Real geologists eat dirt, i.e. geologist in the making….

Top, Right – Lindsey trots off to investigate intermediate lava flows and the beautiful faults. Real geologists like to touch rocks-another geologist in the making…

Bottom- Panoramic of Mt. St. Helens, looking to the southeast from the Coldwater Ridge Observatory.

Our last stop was to hike the Hummocks trail. Massive avalanche and debris deposits clogged the North Fork of the Toutle River, creating lahars that did extensive damage downstream and left behind these hummocky deposits.

Pictures:

Top- panoramic view of hummocks area, Lindsey at peak.

Bottom, left- front to back, Shane, Lester, Warren, Lindey.

Bottom, middle- North Fork of the Toutle River has carved its new channel through the 27 year old deposits.

Bottom, right- Shane picked on Warren for constantly scowling in all of the pictures. The last time someone angered Warren, the guy (Sam) had to hike a trail at John Day National Monument in his bare feet. Guess Shane didn’t know. He had to hitchhike home.

The Columbia Gorge 1 day trip is usually run every quarter; the overnight field trip may be held again Spring 2008, depending on scheduling.

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