Larch Mountain, Oregon

Steven Dutch, Professor Emeritus, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Larch Mountain is a 4000-foot peak east of Portland, Oregon. The high point, Sherrard Point, is a volcanic neck.

When the weather gods smile (a rarity in the Pacific Northwest) Larch Mountain offers views of five Cascade Range volcanoes.

	The drive up Larch Mountain offers nothing in the way of views whatever.








	Even at the parking area, the view is hemmed in by trees.
	Glimpses through the trees hint that there is more to come.
	Left: sheet jointing in the rocks at Sherrard Point. Below: looking down from Sherrard Point.

Mount Rainier

Mount Saint Helens must have been a magnificent sight from here before it lost its summit in 1980.	Although it was just shy of 10,000 feet in 1980, it now stands at 8365 ft (2550 m).

	Mount Adams (12276 ft; 3742 m) deserves way more respect than it gets. It's the fourth highest peak in the Cascades (after Rainier, Shasta, and is just barely beaten by Shasta's satellite peak, Shastina)

	11239 ft; 3426 m and the highest point in Oregon.

10,495 feet (3,199 m) and the second highest peak in Oregon. It last erupted about 950 AD.





	View downstream of the Columbia River

	The heiligenschein, or saint's halo, is a bright reflction opposite the sun. It can be seen on pretty much any rough surface.


	Abouve: Mount Adams in the distance Left: Mount Hood
	Left and below: the Columbia River Gorge.

Created 22 June 2007, Last Update 06 June 2020