You can see the layers of obsidian embedded in this rock.
A road of pumice at the top of a cinder cone
Late in the second day of my weekend, I visited a couple of sites that are a little farther away from the Lake. The first, Obsidian Trail, is a short hike that climbs an obsidian flow. You have to be somewhat careful--obsidian is very sharp, and when I was there, parts of the trail were in disrepair and a little sketchy to traverse.
I finished the day by driving to the start of one final hike that climbs to the top of a cinder cone. The cone is actually "U" shaped (when the dome blew, it must have gone sideways). Upon reaching the top, you find yourself upon a strange landscape: a fairly smooth "road" at the top of the world that curves to the left, is covered in white pumice, and which gently drops off on the sides. To find out more about the geological history of this area check out some of the info provided by the USGS's website on the Newberry Volcano.
