Misplaced Pages

#807192

64-700: The Lava River Cave near Bend, Oregon , is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument , which is managed by the United States Forest Service . At 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in length, the northwest section of the cave is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon . While the cave's discovery in 1889 was officially credited to a pioneer hunter, the presence of obsidian flakes near the cave has led archaeologists to conclude that Native Americans knew about

128-496: A fordable crossing point of the river, where it ran through a bend. An 1870s ranch popularized the name "Farewell Bend", with the post office later distinguishing the area as Bend. It was incorporated as a city in 1905, starting off as a logging town. In 1910, Mirror Pond was created as a dammed river reservoir to provide energy. In 1950, the two major logging companies were consolidated due to depleted timber, causing an economic drop. In later decades, it experienced rapid growth as

192-533: A 16-inch reflecting Ritchey–Chrétien telescope . According to the City's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are: In 2005, Bend's economic profile comprised five industry categories: tourism (7,772 jobs); healthcare and social services (6,062 jobs); professional, scientific and technical services (1,893 jobs); wood products manufacturing (1,798 jobs); and recreation and transportation equipment (1,065 jobs). In 2019,

256-537: A center of recreation. Situated in high desert , Bend is bordered by the Deschutes National Forest to the southwest. Economically, it is a tourist destination, featuring recreational attractions (e.g. breweries , an amphitheater , and the last Blockbuster video-rental store) as well as outdoor sports, including mountain biking , fishing , hiking , camping , rock climbing , white-water rafting , skiing , paragliding , and golf . Bend

320-724: A dozen microbreweries in the city. Each year the city hosts many events celebrating its brewing culture, including the Bend Oktoberfest, the Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew and Whiskey Fest, Bend Brewfest, and Central Oregon Beer Week. Beer aficionados can also visit many of the breweries along the Bend Ale Trail. As of 2018, there were 23 breweries in Bend and 4 hard cider companies. Since 2017, Bend's Worthy Brewing has hosted an observatory with

384-569: A few golden eagles . Forest Service biologists have identified several species of harvestmen , worms , centipedes , and millipedes that live inside the cave. The harvestmen within the cave are Taracus marchingtoni , a newly described species endemic to the region. There are also mice and bats that live in the cave year around. The cave's bat population is relatively small and the bats are very shy so visitors rarely see them. In fact, bats usually remain in hibernation until July, and when active they are nocturnal so they are asleep during

448-541: A general vote of the community's 300 residents; it was platted by Pilot Butte Development Company on May 28, 1904. On January 4, 1905, the city held its first official meeting as an incorporated municipality , appointing A. H. Goodwillie as its first mayor. In 1910, Mirror Pond was created by the construction of the Bend Water, Light & Power Company dam on the Deschutes River in Bend. The dam provided

512-402: A height of 58 feet (18 m). At this point, the width of the cave is 50 feet (15 m). This massive volcanic archway is called Echo Hall . The smooth walls are remarkably symmetrical so sounds echo in the huge chamber. In this section, remnants of the ancient lava flow's current can be seen molded in the tunnel walls. They appear as rounded over-hanging shelves and lateral markings etched in

576-404: A large boulder pile. Since freezing temperatures occurs only near the mouth of the cave, most rock-falls are in this area. To get down the rock pile, visitor must descend 126 steps with handrails for safety. At the bottom of the stairs is a large cool chamber where winter ice fills cracks in the floor and ice stalactites often cling to the ceiling until June. After a short walk, the ceiling reaches

640-510: A report in which Bend had the largest price drop in the country, 23 percent, from first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010. The city is becoming known for its burgeoning art scene, and is home to numerous visual and fine art galleries, as well as the independent BendFilm Festival, which launched in 2004. There are numerous public art displays , including the Roundabout Art Route tour of outdoor sculptures throughout

704-528: A time. Occasionally, enough water leaks into the cave to create a pool. This allows the sand to spread out across the floor. At the Sand Garden, the constant dripping of water has carved spires and pinnacles in the sand. Since it takes hundreds of years to build these delicate sand forms, the Forest Service has fenced off the garden area to protect it. The 2,211 feet (674 m) of cave trail beyond

SECTION 10

#1732800841808

768-485: Is Central Oregon's most populous city. In the 2020 census , it had a population of 99,178, with the eponymous metropolitan statistical area (MSA) population totaling 247,493. This makes the city and MSA the sixth-most populous city and fifth largest metropolitan area in Oregon, respectively. Native Americans hunted and fished in the area. In late 1824, members of a fur-trapping party led by Peter Skene Ogden visited

832-722: Is September 13 through June 19. Max 90 or more Bend is the larger principal city of the Bend-Prineville CSA, a Combined Statistical Area that includes the Bend metropolitan area (Deschutes County) and the Prineville micropolitan area (Crook County), which had a combined estimated population of 260,919 by the United States Census Bureau in 2023. As of the 2020 census , there were 99,178 people, 40,969 households, and 25,421 families residing in

896-503: Is credited to a local settler named Leander Dillman, who found the cave opening on a hunting trip in 1889. Legend has it that Dillman found the cave entrance while following a wounded deer. After its discovery, he used the cave to cool his venison. The cave acquired its name from a 1923 geology study published by Ira A. Williams. The study also provided the first map of the cave. In 1938, the highway department announced an effort to resume digging efforts originally started by Emil Long to extend

960-408: Is dammed to form Mirror Pond. Bend's elevation is 3,623 feet (1,104 metres) above sea level. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 35.046 square miles (90.77 km ), of which 34.801 square miles (90.13 km ) is land and 0.245 square miles (0.63 km ) is water. Inside the city limits is Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint , an old cinder cone . Bend

1024-491: Is known for its annual Indian summer . Bend's growing season is short; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 's National Resources Conservation Service , in half of the years between 1971 and 2000, the USDA weather station in Bend recorded the last below-freezing temperatures after July 3 and the first below-freezing temperatures before August 31. Based on 1981–2010 normals, the average window for freezing temperatures

1088-480: Is one of three cities in the continental U.S. (with Portland, Oregon , and Jackson, Mississippi ) to have an extinct volcano within its city limits. It is reached by U.S. Route 20 . A lesser known characteristic of Bend, the Horse Lava Tube System enters and borders the eastern edge of the city. Just south of Bend is Newberry National Volcanic Monument on U.S. Route 97 . Bend's climate

1152-401: Is the longest known uncollapsed lava tube in Oregon. The other section extends 1,560 feet (480 m) southeast from the entrance. This section runs toward the source of the flow so it has a slight uphill grade. This section is not open to the public because of loose rocks in the ceiling. The mouth of the cave is at an elevation of 4,500 feet (1,400 m) above sea level. At its deepest point

1216-470: Is typical of the high desert with cool nights and sunny days, classified as semi-arid ( Köppen climate classification BSk ). Annual precipitation averages 11.2 in (280 mm). Annual average snowfall is 23.8 inches (60.5 cm). The winter season in Bend provides a mean temperature of 31.1 °F (−0.5 °C) in December. Nighttime temperatures are not much lower than daytime highs during

1280-700: The Mexican War (and for whom Todd Lake is named), purchased a land claim in the area and named it "Farewell Bend Ranch". Todd sold this to John Sisemore in 1881, who applied for a post office in 1886. Because the name "Farewell Bend" was already in use, it was shortened to "Bend" by the United States Post Office Department . Constructed in May 1901, the Pilot Butte Development Company 's little plant

1344-462: The Sand Garden , located about 3,000 feet (910 m) from the entrance. Here the floor of the cave is covered with sand. The sand was carried into the cave by dripping water. The sand is fine volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Mazama 6,600 years ago. Rain and melting snow carried the ash down from the surface through cracks in the rock and deposited it on the floor of the cave one grain at

SECTION 20

#1732800841808

1408-618: The Seattle Times , single-family home prices dropped more than 40 percent from a peak of $ 396,000 in May 2007 to $ 221,000 in March 2009. Additional signs of the housing downturn include an April 2009 Deschutes county unemployment rate of 12.6 percent and in a tri-county area of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties a 66 percent rise in homelessness from 2006 to 2,237. In May 2010, the Federal Housing and Finance Agency released

1472-508: The poverty line , including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over. Tourism is one of Bend's largest sectors. The Mount Bachelor ski resort brings in tourists from all over Oregon, Washington, and California. The nearby Cascade Lakes are also a large draw for tourists. Recreational activities include downhill and cross country skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, golfing, camping, fishing, picnicking, rock climbing, and general sightseeing. Transient room tax revenues through

1536-476: The 2008 and 2009 XTERRA Trail Running National Championships, the 2009 and 2010 United States National Cyclo-cross Championships , the 2009 and 2010 USA Cycling Elite Road National Championships and the 2013, 2015 and 2016 USA Cross Country Championships . In 2019 and 2020, Bend hosted USA Climbing's pro and youth National Bouldering Championships. A popular spot for cycling, Bend has over 300 mi (480 km) of mountain bike trails and from 1980 to 2019

1600-613: The Bend City Building Division fell from 826 in August 2006 to 533 in August 2007, a 35 percent decrease. A large influx of new residents drawn by Bend's lifestyle amenities, along with the low interest rates and easy lending that fostered a national housing boom in 2001–05, resulted in increased activity in Bend's construction and real estate sectors and caused the rate of home price appreciation in Bend to grow substantially during that period. Median home prices in

1664-691: The Bend MSA increased by over 80% in the 2001–05 period. In June 2006, Money magazine named the Bend MSA the fifth most overpriced real estate market in the United States. By September 2006, the Bend metro area ranked second in the list of most overpriced housing markets, and in June 2007 it was named the most overpriced housing market in America. The 2008−09 housing downturn had a strong effect on Bend's housing and economic situation. According to

1728-474: The Forest Service as part of the Deschutes National Forest . The forest surrounding the cave entrance is dominated by large ponderosa pine trees with sagebrush , manzanita , bitterbrush , snowbrush , and chokecherries as the main ground cover. Along the short path leading from the forest floor down to the cave entrance, visitors will also find serviceberry , false Solomon seal , squaw currant , Oregon grape , and small willow trees. Animals common in

1792-406: The Sand Garden has a sandy floor. Along the way, the ceiling descends lower and lower until the sand fills the cave. The last 310 feet (94 m) of the cave was dug out of the sand plug by two men in the 1930s. Exploring this section of the cave requires visitors to crawl on hands and knees for much of the distance to the cave's end, and usually takes at least thirty minutes. The air temperature at

1856-532: The age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42, and the average family size was 2.92. The age distribution was 24.5% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

1920-590: The age of 18, 5.1% were under 5 years of age, and 17.0% were 65 and older. As of the 2010 census , there were 76,639 people, 31,790 households, and 19,779 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,322.0/sq mi (896.5/km ). There were 36,110 housing units at an average density of 1,093.9/sq mi (422.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 91.3% White , 0.5% African American , 0.8% Native American , 1.2% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 3.4% from other races , and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 8.2% of

1984-471: The area. John C. Frémont , John Strong Newberry , and other United States Army survey parties came next. Subsequent pioneers heading further west passed through the area and forded the Deschutes River at a canyonless double bend, which may have actually been referred to as "Farewell Bend". The area was settled by Euro-Americans in the 1870s. John Young Todd, a Missourian who participated in

Lava River Cave - Misplaced Pages Continue

2048-535: The cave beyond the dirt choke. It was speculated the cave could go all the way to Benham Falls . In 1926, the Shevlin-Hixon Lumber Company donated the 22.5-acre (91,000 m) site around the cave entrance to the State of Oregon for a park. In 1981, the cave and above ground park area were acquired by the Forest Service as part of a land exchange with the State government. In November 1990,

2112-476: The cave is 4,350 feet (1,330 m) above sea level. The cave's entrance appears as a large hole in the ground. At its mouth, the entrance trail drops suddenly over a jumble of volcanic rocks. This area is known as the Collapsed Corridor . It is the result of ground water freezing in rock cracks in the ceiling. Loosened rocks eventually fall. Over the centuries, the fallen rocks have accumulated into

2176-513: The cave leaving hot gases trapped in the interior of the tube. These gases re-heated the lava tube causing the tunnel walls to re-melt. As re-melted rocks cooled, the walls were left with a shiny, glazed surface. There are also volcanic stalactites in this area of the cave. These formations are sometimes called lavacicles . They are found in two forms. Some are hollow cylindrically shaped soda straws, formed by escaping gases. The others are cone shaped drip pendants formed when re-melted lava dripped from

2240-504: The cave long before settlers arrived in central Oregon. The eruption which formed the Lava River Cave occurred about 80,000 years ago. The source is believed to be near Mokst Butte southeast of the entrance. The same volcanic flow that formed the cave underlies much of the Bend area and almost reaches Redmond, Oregon . However, the specific vent that created the cave has been buried by several younger flows. The Lava River Cave

2304-498: The cave roof depositing sand on the cave floor. Small rivulets of water carry the sand downhill, plugging the far end of the cave with sediment. As a result, it is unknown how far the cave actually extends beyond the sand plug. The Lava River Cave is located 12 miles (19 km) south of Bend on the east side of Highway 97 . It is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, which is managed by

2368-461: The cave was incorporated into the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. However, it is still managed by the Forest Service along with the rest of the Newberry monument area. Lava River Cave runs in two directions from the entrance cleft. The main section runs gradually downhill 5,211 feet (1,588 m) in a northwesterly direction from the entrance, passing under Highway 97. This section of the cave

2432-566: The cave's fragile environment, they cannot have glass globes or use kerosene or white gas. Battery powered lights are best, but they must provide reliable illumination for at least one hour. Bend, Oregon Bend is a city in Central Oregon and the county seat of Deschutes County , Oregon , United States. It is located to the east of the Cascade Range , on the Deschutes River . The site became known by pioneers as

2496-465: The ceiling. At the end of Low Bridge area, the tube begins to narrow and the cave is divided into two tunnels with intermittent connecting passages. This is the Two Tube Tunnel section of the cave. Both tubes were probably active lava channels at the same time; however, the upper channel eventually drained into the lower tube as the flow subsided. One of the most unusual parts of the cave is

2560-452: The city with its initial source of electricity. The dam has been owned by Pacific Power since 1926 and still produces electricity that supplies approximately 200 Bend households. In 1916, Deschutes County was formed from the western half of Crook County and Bend was designated as the county seat . In 1929, Bend amended the charter and adopted the council–manager form of government. The 1950 closure of Shevlin-Hixon Lumber Company (which

2624-780: The city. Bend is home to the Bend Elks of the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League . The Elks play at Vince Genna Stadium . Former minor league teams include the Bend Rockies , Bend Bucks , Bend Phillies , Bend Timber Hawks , and Bend Rainbows . Bend is also the home of the Central Oregon Hotshots of the International Basketball League . The Central Oregon Steelheaders, continually one of

Lava River Cave - Misplaced Pages Continue

2688-443: The city. During the same year, tourism generated $ 570 million and employed 16% of the city's workforce. Brauns, L. (November 21, 2021). According to a 2019 economic impact data from Travel Oregon, “the local tourism industry employs 10,000 people and brings in more than $ 1 billion into the regional economy” Room taxes attributed to tourism in Bend is divided up to be given back to the community. Bend, Oregon depends on $ 7 million in

2752-413: The city. The population density was 2,949.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,138.9/km ). There were 44,449 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 84.5% White , 0.5% African American , 0.7% Native American , 1.6% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 3.6% from some other races and 9.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.2% of the population. 20.8% of residents were under

2816-483: The city. The population density was 1,624.8 people per sq mi (627.4/km ). There were 22,507 housing units at an average density of 702.9 per sq mi (271.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 93.98% White, 0.28% African American, 0.79% Native American, 1.00% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.75% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.61% of the population. There were 21,062 households, out of which 31.9% had children under

2880-442: The day when the cave is open. If a bat is sighted, the Forest Service recommends that it be left undisturbed. Waking it from hibernation is extremely stressful, and can cause the bat to die from the sudden expenditure of energy. The presence of obsidian flakes near the cave has led archaeologists to conclude that Native Americans knew about the caves long before any pioneers arrived in the Oregon country . The first recorded discovery

2944-516: The first quarter of fiscal year 2015 equaled $ 2,221,610. The transient room tax is used in partnership with Visit Bend and the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board to convert visitors to Bend into residents and business owners. In 2011, Visit Bend reported that families are the largest demographic that visit Bend (35%), while couples with no children make up the second largest portion (24%) of visitors to

3008-604: The forest around the cave include golden-mantled ground squirrels , chipmunks , western gray squirrels , porcupines , weasels , pine martens , and mule deer . In 1991, park personnel observed a full-grown cougar run out of the cave entrance area, but that was a single sighting. There is also a wide range of resident and migratory bird species common to the area. Small resident birds include wrens , robins , juncos , thrushes , woodpeckers , sapsuckers , red-shafted flickers , and ruby-crowned kinglets . Larger birds include great horned owls , red-tailed hawks , vultures , and

3072-754: The gunman committed suicide . Bend sits on the boundary of the Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills , a Level III ecoregion designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. states of Oregon , Washington , and California , and the Deschutes River Valley , a Level IV ecoregion within the Blue Mountains Level III ecoregion. The Deschutes River runs through Bend, where it

3136-471: The mouth of the cave ranges from about 32 degrees to around 45 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degrees to around 7 degrees Celsius) depending on the time of year. Inside the cave, it is a constant 42 degrees (5.6 degrees Celsius). As a result, the Forest Service strongly recommends that visitors wear a warm jacket while exploring the cave. Lanterns can be rented at the visitor center above the cave entrance. Personal lanterns are also permitted; however, in order to protect

3200-541: The officially licensed Blockbuster Video in the city became the last remaining one in the world . Much of Bend's rapid growth in recent years is also due to its attraction as a retirement destination. Bend has also become a commuter town for a number of tech workers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle metropolitan area despite the extreme commute , due to its appeal to the outdoors as well as its relatively cheap cost of living compared to

3264-441: The population. There were 31,790 households, of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.8% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size

SECTION 50

#1732800841808

3328-541: The room tax income that essentially funds services for Streets, Fire, and Police. $ 3 million are specifically contributed to Tourism Promotion. As of April 2021, the Bend City Council has agreed to spend an undisclosed portion of the $ 3 million to maintain some of the trails in the city. Bend is home to the Deschutes Brewery , the eighth-largest craft brewery in the nation and the largest of over

3392-541: The skyrocketing rent and housing prices of the Bay Area and Seattle. In 2005 construction and real estate accounted for 17.3 percent of all jobs in the Bend metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which constitutes all of Deschutes County. This figure is about 70 percent more than the proportion of construction and real estate jobs in the Oregon and national economies. Construction activity in Bend appears to be slowing. The number of building permit applications received by

3456-640: The top teams in the NW conference of the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL), play at the Central Oregon Indoor Sports Center in Bend. Bend is the home of the professional cross-country skiing team XC Oregon, which competes in races locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Bend has had success in landing major sporting events such as the 2008 and 2009 USA Winter Triathlon National Championships,

3520-417: The tube leaving a lava tube cave behind. After the cave cooled, a section of its roof collapsed. This collapsed section provided the entrance to both the uphill (southeast) and downhill (northwest) cave sections. The area around the Lava River Cave receives about 18 inches (46 cm) of precipitation per year. Over the centuries, water from rainfall and snow melt has seeped down through the soil and cracks in

3584-475: The walls. The end of this hall is about 1,500 feet (460 m) into the cave. At that point, the cave passes under Highway 97. The underground crossing is marked by a small sign post. Beyond the Highway 97 marker, visitors enter an area called Low Bridge Lane . In this area, the ceiling drops to less than six feet (1.8 m). This section of the cave was created after most of the molten lava had drained out of

3648-467: The winter. Annually, the lowest nighttime temperature is typically −5 °F (−21 °C) to −10 °F (−23 °C) (Zone 6). Central Oregon summers are marked by their very large diurnal temperature ranges, with a July daily average of 64.5 °F (18.1 °C), and an average diurnal temperature variation approaching 35 °F (20 °C). Hard frosts are not unheard of during the summer months. Autumn usually brings warm, dry days and cooler nights. Bend

3712-435: Was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age in the city was 36.6 years. 23.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 52,029 people, 21,062 households, and 13,395 families residing in

3776-422: Was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.6 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 40,857, and in 2006 the median income for a family of four is $ 58,800. Males had a median income of $ 33,377 versus $ 25,094 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 21,624. About 6.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below

3840-401: Was created by lava flowing downhill from a volcanic vent . The lava flowed northwest from the vent toward the Deschutes River . The flow began as a river of lava flowing in an open channel. Eventually, a lava crust solidified over the top of the flowing lava. This formed a roof over the river, enclosing it in a lava tunnel or tube. When the eruption from the vent stopped, the lava drained out of

3904-581: Was first collected by Jean and Wilton Ivie in 1965 in Lava River Cave but not identified as a new species until collected by Neil Marchington of the Oregon High Desert Grotto in 2008. Its range is suspected to be the surrounding areas of Newberry Volcano . It has enlarged but thin chelicerae , typically equal to or longer than the entire length of the body, and in small-bodied males nearly three times as long. The harvestman

SECTION 60

#1732800841808

3968-503: Was sold to Brooks-Scanlon ), due to a lack of significant timber, caused the largest economic drop in the region since the Great Depression . In later decades, it experienced rapid growth as a center for both recreation and retirement. On August 28, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at a Safeway grocery store in Bend. Two senior citizens, one of whom was an employee at the store, were killed, and two others were wounded before

4032-538: Was the first commercial sawmill in Bend, also providing the town's first irrigation . The original location was at the rear of the Pilot Butte Inn of later years. Steidl and Reed also set up a small mill in Bend in 1903. This was on the Deschutes River just below the Pioneer Park area. The mill was operated by water power. A small community developed around the area. In 1904, a city was incorporated by

4096-554: Was the home to the Cascade Cycling Classic , the nation's longest running stage race for road bicycle racing. Bend was once named the top mountain bike city in Mountain Bike Action magazine. Taracus marchingtoni Taracus marchingtoni is a genus of harvestman found in the lava caves of semi-arid and arid regions of central Oregon . It belongs to the family Taracidae and

#807192