Belknap Crater (Belknap Shield Volcano)

A 98 square kilometer shield volcano, elevation approximately 6400 feet, Belknap can be reached in the summer months by a sketchy path (not really a maintained trail, but trail traces can be seen on the satellite photos here) up its eastern slope after a strenuous hike across the McKenzie Lava Beds on the PCT from the north side of the McKenzie Pass Highway. Belknap has one of the most striking volcanic craters in Central Oregon, colored with dark red and black ash and makes for a worthwhile summer hike. Also, Belknap last erupted around 1500 years ago, making it one of Central Oregon's more recently active volcanoes.