Barnes Butte
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| Barnes Butte | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The north slope of Barnes Butte with Barnes Butte Reservoir below. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,549 ft (1,082 m) |
| Coordinates | 44°19′07″N 120°48′38″W / 44.31861°N 120.81056°W |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Crook County, Oregon, U.S. |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | ~27.5 Ma[1] |
Barnes Butte is a rhyolite dome of volcanic rock in Crook County, Oregon, United States located partly within the city of Prineville. Barnes Butte is composed of welded tuff and is a part of the Crooked River caldera.[2] It was the site of a 1940s mercury mine.[1][3] In 2015, a BLM cleanup of mercury was done to reduce the health risk to residents of nearby IronHorse neighborhood and the Barnes Butte Elementary School.[4]
The butte is a recreational area and includes the Barnes Butte hiking trail, a 4-mile (6.4 km) loop that includes a 2.6-mile (4.2 km) hike to the summit.[5][6]
A concept plan, "Echo of the Butte," was developed by the Barnes Butte Focus Committee to establish a visitor center, amphitheater, and pond around the Happy Hour Plateau. Further development will be conducted on the trails with redeveloped paved paths and a boardwalk on BLM land. Included in the plan is nature rehabilitation, a bat adit along the trail towards the butte, and rest areas. As a part of resolution no. 1472, the Prineville City Council joined by mayor Rodney J. Beebe adopted the concept plan January 26, 2021.[7]
The butte is considered one of three popular landmarks near Prineville and has been set aside for scenic preservation.[8]
