Nature
Larch Mountain, an extinct shield volcano in the Columbia River Gorge, is the tallest peak in the Boring Lava Field and formed about 1.8 to 1.4 million years ago. Its summit at Sherrard Point is the eroded remnant of its volcanic plug, while glaciers later reshaped the upper mountain. Although its name came from lumbermen mislabeling noble fir as larch, the mountain’s modern history was strongly shaped by logging, especially from the 1880s until fires and depletion ended the old timber economy. It remains significant for its old-growth forests, scenic trails, and summit views of nearby Cascade volcanoes.
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Oregon · United States
