Okay, so I guess per the sign board shown below, the official name is Balancing Rocks. I've heard them called Oregon Hoodoos more often so I'm going with that. This is a place I've wanted to see for a while, so I jumped in the Jeep and headed out for the hour drive on forest roads to reach the hoodoos. More on how they are formed later in the post. For now follow along and enjoy the spectacular views of the hoodoos and the surrounding area.
The field of hoodoos in the foreground with a small glimpse of Lake Billy Chinook, Mount Jefferson, and Olallie Butte in the background.
Click images for larger view
As I arrive at the parking area this is my first view. There is even some baby hoodoos beginning to form on the right of the picture.
A map of the area to the left and above a little science on how the hoodoos are formed.
Continuing my short walk to the hoodoos I can't quit looking at the expansive view to my left.
Finally my first look at the field of some 30 hoodoos.
Some of the incredible balancing acts start to come into a little better view.
While not a hoodoo I found it amazing that this tree once found a way to grow sandwiched between these rocks.
Here you can see a couple hoodoos that have lost their harder capstone. Without their hat their erosion will be accelerated. 😀
Another tree on a rocky cliff edge.
Not a lot of wildflowers but a few.
Before I get ready to descend into the hoodoos, I hear the roar of an engine on the lake below. When I zoom in I can see a skier behind the boat.
Some interesting layered rocks under the platform I was just standing on.
Some of these capstones seem to defy gravity and physics.
Future capstones waiting for erosion to make them stand tall.
Caught a couple lizards running around and sunning themselves on the rocks and fallen trees.
An interesting start to a hoodoo here. I didn't see any others with dual support columns.
After a final look it was time to head back to my Jeep.
Couldn't resist a couple of tree framed shots on the way out showing the hoodoos, lake, and mountain.
Please feel free to make comments or ask me any questions about this post.
Photos taken by me, @oldmans, with a Nikon D3300 and some Lightroom post processing.
Please visit WorldMapPin to see the locations of some of my other posts.
Thanks for looking and enjoy your day!
