Pilot Rock (Jackson County, Oregon)
| Pilot Rock | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Elevation | 5,910 ft (1,801 m) [1] |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 42°1′50.45″N 122°33′38.32″W / 42.0306806°N 122.5606444°WCoordinates: 42°1′50.45″N 122°33′38.32″W / 42.0306806°N 122.5606444°W |
| Geology | |
| Type | Volcanic plug |
| Age of rock | 25.6 million years[1] |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scrambling |
Pilot Rock is a volcanic plug in the eastern Siskiyou Mountains and western Cascade Range, near the Siskiyou Summit in Ashland, Oregon. It is located within the Soda Mountain Wilderness and the Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument.[1] The Pacific Crest Trail and several other trails have been built near it.[2][3][4]
Contents |
[edit] Geology
Pilot Rock was created when andesitic magma flowed through a weak spot in the Earth's crust and solidified, forming a plug. The rock around the plug was slowly eroded away, leaving Pilot Rock as seen today. Argon–argon dating shows that the rock is approximately 25.6 million years old, one of the oldest volcanic formations in the Cascades.[1][2][5]
The rock has many columnar joints, created when the magma cooled.[1][2] Talus can be found around the base.[2][4] The rock also has an unusually high amount of black hornblende crystals, meaning that there was water in the area when the plug formed.[1][2] It rises approximately 75 feet (23 m) above the surrounding area, and its summit includes about 3 acres (12,000 m2) of flat ground.[6]
[edit] History
The Takelma called the peak either Tan-ts'atseniphtha or Tan-xtirukhan-tha,[7][8] but to settlers Pilot Rock was originally known as Boundary Mountain.[9] In 1841, it was renamed Emmons Peak after Lieutenant George F. Emmons, a U.S. naval officer who participated in the United States Exploring Expedition, which traveled through the area.[1][9][10] Emmons described it as "a singular rock, which stands like a tower on the top of the ridge, rising above the surrounding forest with a bare and apparently unbroken surface."[9][10] The rock has since become known as Pilot Rock because it served as a landmark for pioneers coming north from California.[11]
[edit] Flora
Pilot Rock is surrounded by a dense mixed coniferous forest. Wildflowers such as wild strawberries, larkspur, columbine, lupine, and paintbrush grow in the spring and summer.[4] A rare species of the lily family named Gentner's fritillary has been found growing on and near the rock.[12]
[edit] Trails
There are several trails on Pilot Rock. The summit trail begins at a forest road. It is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long, gaining approximately 808 feet (246 m) in elevation.[4] At the summit, there are views of landmarks such as Mount Shasta, the Trinity Alps, and Mount McLoughlin.[4][13]
The Pacific Crest Trail branches off the summit trail approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) in. It leads to a viewpoint of Pilot Rock.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g Fattig, Paul (June 11, 2009). "Rock of Ages". Mail Tribune. http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090611/NEWS/906110324. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Bishop, Ellen; Allen, John (2004). Hiking Oregon's geology (2 ed.). The Mountaineers Books. pp. 39–41. ISBN 9780898868470. http://books.google.com/?id=BGltWztivTkC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA39. Retrieved on June 11, 2009.
- ^ a b Gerald, Paul (2007). Day and Overnight Hikes: Oregon's Pacific Crest Trail. Menasha Ridge Press. pp. 29–33. ISBN 9780897329736. http://books.google.com/?id=NOs20g2mGZoC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA29. Retrieved on June 11, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Bond, Barbara (2004). 75 Scrambles in Oregon. The Mountaineers Books. pp. 118–120. ISBN 9780898865509. http://books.google.com/?id=KdbypnOiMe4C&lpg=PA3&pg=PA118. Retrieved on June 11, 2009.
- ^ Bishop, Ellen (2003). In search of ancient Oregon. Timber Press. p. 120. ISBN 9780881925906. http://books.google.com/?id=o5XxO3E8ap4C&lpg=PP1&pg=PA120. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.
- ^ Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (U.S.) (1905). Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer's Monthly Journal. Grand International Division. p. 763. http://books.google.com/?id=kkAoAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA763. Retrieved on June 11, 2009.
- ^ Joy B. Dunn, ed. (1993). Land in Common. Southern Oregon Historical Society. p. 18. ISBN 9780943388113. Retrieved on June 14, 2009.
- ^ Gray, Dennis (1987). "The Takelma and Their Athapascan Neighbors". Southern Oregon University. p. 76. http://soda.sou.edu/awdata/021104a1.pdf. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ a b c Hoover, Mildred; Kyle, Douglas; Rensch, Hero (2002). Historic spots in California (5 ed.). Stanford University Press. p. 482. ISBN 9780804744829. http://books.google.com/?id=AYMPR6xAj50C&lpg=PP1&pg=PA482. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.
- ^ a b Historic Spots in California. Hoover (3 ed.). Stanford University Press. p. 501. ISBN 9780804740203. http://books.google.com/?id=wYGaAAAAIAAJ&lpg=PP1&pg=PA501. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.
- ^ Bernstein, Art (2001). Hiking Oregon's Southern Cascades and Siskiyous. Globe Pequot. pp. 221–222. ISBN 9781560448983. http://books.google.com/?id=H3dPI-DAO84C&lpg=PP1&pg=PA221. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.
- ^ Currin, Rebecca; Amsberry, Kelly; Meinke, Robert (2004). "Fritillaria gentneri". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. p. 3. http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/GentnersFritillary/Documents/ODA2004ReportFritillariaGentneri.pdf. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
- ^ Sullivan, William (April 21, 2009). "Into the wilds". The Register-Guard. http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/sports/outdoors/11302779-35/story.csp. Retrieved June 14, 2009.
