Beautiful hike. After about 0.4 miles, you will reach the start of the Lava Butte trail at the end of the campground next to unit 30-D. Great views! Please note this is a road leading up to Lava Butte. Both Lava Butte and the lava field are made up of basalt (extrusive igneous rock), which comes in many forms depending on its particular chemical composition and the manner in which it cooled. Would be good for families. Better yet, it’s only 45 minute drive from the town of Crested Butte. This is a 5.2 mile out-and-back hike with 1500 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 2-4 hours to complete. A road runs right up to the wash acroos which Lava Butte rises majestically from the desert floor. On a clear day in May, you’ll see more buttes and mountains than you can count. … Lava Butte is actually one of several small cinder cones located on the northwest side of Newberry Volcano. We chose to do the little 1-ish mike extra path directly behind the center and it also has pretty views. I parked in a pullout on the side of Northshore Road. Easy. It was nice and sunny. The parking lot is gated off, but many people park along the road and walk in. We went late afternoon and most of the mountains were backlit but still beautiful. Fantastic views of lava flows, fault and the cascades. Stellar views even with snow clouds! Great trail. Nice hike during the off season when cars are not on the road. Lava Butte from Lava Lands Visitor Center is a 3.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Bend, Oregon that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. Lava Butte is a prominent mountain in southern Nevada, which is now easier to access than in previous years. "Gosh it's steep! On 11/20/20, there was snow covering most of the road but it wasn’t generally icy so you don’t need spikes. Unlike obsidian, however, igneous rock has far less silica, the chief mineral in glass, making it duller or more matte in appearance. Great views! Good elevation gain, but gradual enough with the wrapping around. Not too challenging, but still a good workout. Must access from Hwy 44, which adds 6 miles to the hike. I recommend taking water to quench your thirst as the climb is up, up, upward—with respite. 4:00 p.m. After storing our household movables, ridding ourselves of a house but retaining our 'home' together, we set off with the purpose of hiking in different parts of the world, not forgetting the home country, the USA. What it lacks in height it compensates for in its shape, color and setting. It’s a buzzkill to get glares from you muzzled hikers when I’m trying to breathe clean perfect air! The gate to access the road up the butte is not locked, and a good number of walkers and bikers are using it. We climbed on top of Flat Top once and it felt like being in the east African savannah. About a month ago my wife and I decided to try to escape the 100+ degree heat here in the valley and make a hike to Lava Butte lakes north of Brundage ski resort. Be sure to get a time pass to drive to the top of the Lava Butte to see lava flows from long ago, mountains in the Cascades and forests in every direction. Lava Butte: great for a workout and solitude, but there are a lot of obstacles and not much of a payoff at the top. Just remember which path you go down! Black Lava Butte and Flat Top Mesa addition hike . Despite its proximity to the city, being such a short hike made me want to save it for when I only had a few hours to kill. You are not likely to see anyone else on this hike. I encourage all masked up to really consider what is truly going on and really stay home if you are living in that much fear. Lava Butte is one of the most attractive volcanoes/mountains in the region. It was a bit chilly. The hike is over lava rocks so … Lava Butte is 11.7 miles south of Bend Oregon on US 97. In February of 1933 a ski jump on Lava Butte was proposed, but it was never constructed. Made it a cinch going both up and down for me. Lava Butte is a cinder cone rising 500 feet above Lava Lands Visitor Center. The parking area for the visitor's center is open year-round, and access is dependent upon snow accumulations during winter months. Heading up Lava Butte was pretty nice, lots of Class 2 boulder-hopping helping to gain vertical quickly. The parking lot on top of Lava Butte is limited to 10 vehicles, so 30 minute time passes are issued at the Lava … Historic Railroad Trail, NV. Butte Lake Rd closed for winter. Lava Butte is a cinder cone in central Oregon, United States, just west of U.S. Route 97 between the towns of Bend, Oregon, and Sunriver, Oregon.It is part of a system of small cinder cones on the northwest flank of Newberry Volcano, a massive shield volcano which rises to the southeast. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from March until November. But it wasn’t too bad and the views are amazing in a clear day! Cool hike, but not my favorite. It's been ages since I did this hike. The trailhead is well marked off of Lake Mead Blvd. Lava Butte Area Topo Map. I'm glad it was open for use. Visitors may access Lava Butte by non-motorized at any time generally from dawn to dusk. Might be able to park on the US 97S shoulder since there’s a short trail that puts you about 0.4 miles in. Trail was really icy would recommend traction. There were several wash-outs on the road we chose, so we had to wander back to the larger powerline road to get to the starting point of the hike. Butte Lake Rd closed for winter. I could see every peak! Lava Butte is situated Northeast of Las Vegas just outside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Paved the whole way. Beautiful views as you climb up to the top. The hike is short in duration but steep for the majority of the climb. Steep incline but short distance. Road trail leading to the top, can easily wear tennis shoes. I had been working in the area and wanted to take advantage of the long daylight hours and beautiful weather, so I decided to hike up Lava Butte. If you started from Lava Lands Visitor Center, hike back down Red Cinder Road for a 3.85-mile round trip hike (or 3.35 miles if you began from the parking area closer to the gate). There was still patches of snow along the trail to the Lava Butte but it was starting to melt. Lava Falls is located out in Gold Butte National Monument, south of Mesquite, about 3-1/2 hours northeast of Las Vegas in a wild, remote, and scenic area. If you came to Lava Butte Trail by car or shuttle the hike around the rim is just 0.35 miles long. You’ll need a day use permit to access and enjoy Lava Lands. Not very many people probably because of no shuttle and visitor center not open. Loved the trail. Pretty sure last time I walked up there the road wasn't so nicely paved. At the top of my chosen slope, a short ridge continued to the summit. Interesting plaques about the fire tower at the top. You are not likely to see anyone else on this hike. Did this hike on a sunny day near the end of February. Seemed daunting looking up at the 8% grade as mentioned in signage. Standing tall and proud and rising up over 600 feet, Lava Butte is where you can get some of the best views of the lava flows that occurred approximately 7000 years ago. This hike rivals any found in Joshua Tree National Park and almost no one knows about it. Thanks in advance. I started up the closest slope (again, there are lots of options to ascend the talus). Near Deschutes River Woods, Oregon. Must access from Hwy 44, which adds 6 miles to the hike. Really nice views from the top! From town, drive out to Gold Butte National Monument. The woods were beautiful, too. Beautiful views on a clear day- saw Mt Bachelor, Tumalo mountain, three sisters and broken top! Lava Butte This hike explores a cinder cone with a fire lookout tower and a crater-circling trail that offer panoramic views over Lava Butte Lava Flow and the Cascade Mountains. I returned more or less the same way. Show more Show less. Went hiking this past weekend and the weather was wonderful. Walked up with baby carrier and doggo. Lava Butte can be seen from pretty much anywhere in Henderson, its dark outline forming a nice little bump on the horizon. We also walked the quarter mile loop around the crater rim at the top which is arguably the most interesting part of the hike. Trail is the consistency of a running track. Totally paved, with the exception of the optional rim ridge. Road all the way up. A mild peak, it offers a workout for your legs while hopping the dark, iron oxide covered lava rocks. From the Visitors’ Center, guests may explore Lava Lands, including entering the Lava River Cave, a one-mile lava tube. There are lots of ways to head up from within this wash, whether via drainage or ridge, but I included my favorite of my ascent/descent routes on the attached map. Deschutes River Trail: Meadows Golf Course Loop [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Deschutes River Trail: Aspen Campground to Lava Island Falls, Deschutes River Trail: Meadow Day Use Area, Deschutes River Trail: Benham Falls to Slough Meadow, Deschutes River Trail: Dillon Falls to Aspen, Deschutes River Trail: Benham Falls to Seventh Mountain Resort, Catch & Release, Lower Storm King, and COD Loop, Catch and Release, Storm King, Tiddlywinks, Tyler's Traverse, Deschutes River Trail: Lava Island Trailhead to Benham Falls, Deschutes River Trail: Big Eddy to Benham Falls Campground, Deschutes River Trail: Lava Island to Big Eddy, Lava Butte from Lava Lands Visitor Center. It's a 'blaze your own path' hike. Our hike up Lava Butte on the southeast side of the Las Vegas Valley. Recommend going before noon for better views of the mountains. The fire tower was great with a room to get out of the wind. Great view at the top. Butte parking is limited to 10 spaces, so free 30 minute time passes are issued on a first come, first served basis at the Center’s Welcome Station. Hike-about is an adventure that commenced June 2010. Approximate time of last shuttle to Lava Butte for the day. Somehow Lava Butte didn't seem as large until I was looking up at it from this spot. As far as the eyes can see you are just in desert grass. Sunny but breezy trail. From the north take US 97 11.7 miles south where you will see Lava Butte towering on your right. This trail is another of the trails that will lead riders around the Rainbow Gardens. Stop 1. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking. Great morning for a hike. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from March until November. Lands, including entering the Lava Butte rises majestically from the town of Crested Butte but. 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