Easy, 1.8 mi loop
220 ft elevation gain
Hiked 3/16/24
An easy stroll along a stream that is heated by geothermic vents, located within the ancient caldera blast of a volcano. The trail offers views of various geothermal features along the way-both in-stream and along the banks. Also used for fly fishing and houses a small state Trout hatchery nearby.
A sign post in front of Hot Creek notifying that the shoreline and water is off limits due to risk from heated vents. Meanwhile a person may be seen swimming and filming themselves in the water.
A view up Hot Creek with a snow covered mountain seen in the distance beyond. I believe it to be Laurel Mountain and possibly Bloody Mountain as well behind it.
Located at the rest area nearby the creek, a giant boulder of obsidian is on display.
So far I have only seen obsidian through Minecraft. I though it would look more… square… irl
Haha, nope. A lot of times it’ll actually be more rounded and rough looking along with being weathered/dull. And then when it breaks it’s a lot of sheer and sharp angles with high shine to them. Whenever I get back to Oregon, I should post some pics of some of the obsidian I’ve collected over the years. Nothing spectacular compared to show pieces, but still pretty great. And if you ever want to collect any and have a chance to visit Oregon, Glass Butte near Bend is BLM land that is littered with it. People go out and dig up chunks then split them open with hammers to see what it looks like inside and if its got any of the various color or rainbow sheens.
Lol everything is square in Minecraft!
Interpretive meaning you sorta make it up as you go?
It’s used for trails that are also designed to be educational trails, as they’ll have ‘interpretive signs’ along them. I don’t actually remember seeing any of those signs along the hike other than at the upper parking and picnic area, but I try to use the given trail name as much as possible to help people search for it if they want to hike it as well.