Columnar Basalt - White Pass Scenic Byway - Washington - Places of Geologic Significance on Waymarking.com

The following description of columnar basalt is from Wikipedia:

During the cooling of a thick lava flow, contractional joints or fractures form. If a flow cools relatively rapidly, significant contraction forces build up. While a flow can shrink in the vertical dimension without fracturing, it cannot easily accommodate shrinking in the horizontal direction unless cracks form. The extensive fracture network that develops results in the formation of columns. The topology of the lateral shapes of these columns can broadly be classed as a random cellular network. These structures are often erroneously described as being predominantly hexagonal. In reality, the mean number of sides of all the columns in such a structure is indeed six (by geometrical definition), but polygons with three to twelve or more sides can be observed. Note that the size of the columns depends loosely on the rate of cooling; very rapid cooling may result in very small (<1 cm diameter) columns, and vice versa.

To reach this formation of basalt take Wildcat road (NF-1306) off of White Pass (near Rimrock Lake). Follow this road and use your gps to hone in on the location. The Forest Service Roads are a maze back there. At a junction Wildcat will head to the right and you want to take the left road (NF-1362). The rocks along with the breathtaking view will be worth the drive. Although 4WD isn't necessary, it is recommended.

Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes Parking Coordinates: Not Listed Access fee (In local currency): Not Listed Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: Not Listed Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: Not Listed Public Transport available: Not Listed Website reference: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   01/25/2008 Hikenutty visited it

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