Crack in the Ground

Crack-in-the-Ground is an ancient volcanic fissure over 2 miles long and up to 70 feet deep. Normally, fissures like this one are filled with soil and rock by the processes of erosion and sedimentation. However, because it is located in such an arid region, very little filling has occurred and Crack-in-the-Ground exists today nearly as it did shortly after its formation thousands of years ago. An established 2 mile trail along the fissure’s bottom offers a unique hike, where the temperature can be as much as twenty degrees cooler than at the surface.

Crack in the Ground is open year round, but must be traveled to by a gravel road for approximately 20 minutes.  The trail to Crack in the Ground is moderately difficult with a 70’ elevation gain and sand and rock surface.

There is a Universal Access Restroom available, in the parking area..Motor Vehicles, Mountain Bikes, and Equestrians are PROHIBITED

Access is via rugged dirt roads that may be impassable at times. Four-wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended. The nearest services are in Christmas Valley, Oregon.  Accommodation is available in La Pine.

 

Crack in the Ground

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Train Mountain Railroad Museum

The World’s Largest Private Caboose Collection – with 37 Cabooses and over 60 Full Size Maintenance and Rolling Stock Cars in Collection.  “World’s Longest Miniature Railroad”.

The site has parking, restrooms, working miniature trains and repair area. There is also a shed, office and conference area.  Location fee required.

Images taken October, 3pm.

For additional information: Train Mountain Museum

 

Train Mountain Railroad Museum

 

 

 

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Fort Rock Homestead Museum

The Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum consists of several homes, a church and school, a retail store and pieces of vintage equipment.  This is an excellent site for a period shoot, and as it is located opposite Fort Rock, there are stunning views from all perspectives.

The Museum is located approximately 90 minutes from Bend, and 60 from LaPine.  There are three star lodging properties in LaPine for your crew, and they offer Central Oregon Film Office preferred rates.

Images taken mid- July (overcast) and mid-October (sunny).  10am.

Fort Rock Heritage Museum

Church

 

 

 

 

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Twin Lakes and Resort (LaPine)

Twin Lakes Resort is located in the Cascade Lakes Region of Central Oregon. Located on the shores of South Twin Lake, there is an RV park close by on the banks of the Deschutes Channel of Wickiup Reservoir. Twin Lakes Resort is an excellent location for fishing and family fun, and would be great for branded content shoots. It is open year round with a  full service restaurant, java hut, and charming country store.   There is also a private dining area for hire.

There are cabins for rent on site, and lakeside.

Location fee required payable to the Resort.

Images taken mid-October.  10am.

Twin Lakes Resort

Drive through Coffee hut and gas pump

Restaurant

Dining area

Retail store

Marina

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Fort Rock

Fort Rock is an excellent option for productions that are looking for a massive rock formation, either for print, TV, commercial or film work.  Providing a stunning backdrop, Fort Rock provides iconic 360 degree vistas. As Fort Rock is a State Park, there is no permit required, but productions do need a special use permit which can be obtained by the Fort Rock State Park Ranger, who are excellent to work with.  Please contact them, or this office at least 21 days in advance of any production.

There is parking in the area at the base of the rock, including basic restroom facilities and water.

Additional parking can be obtained by leasing space at the ranch adjoining the Park.

Images taken mid-June. Noon. Facing South, and early November, 10am.

From Wikipedia:

The rock was created when basalt magma rose to the surface and encountered the wet muds of a lake bottom. Powered by a jet of steam, molten basalt was blown into the air, creating a fountain of hot lava particles and frothy ash. The pieces and blobs of hot lava and ash rained down around the vent and formed a saucer-shaped ring of lapilli tuff and volcanic ash sitting like an island in the lake waters. Steam explosions also loosened angular chunks of black and red lava rock comprising the valley floor. These blocky inclusions are incorporated into the fine-grained tuff layers at Fort Rock. Waves from the lake waters eroded the outside of the ring, cutting the steep cliffs into terraces 66 feet (20 m) above the floor of Fort Rock Valley.

The wave-cut terraces on the south side of the ring mark former lake levels of this now-dry lakebed. Southerly winds, which are still predominant in this region, apparently drove waves against the south side of the ring, eroding the soft ash layers, breaching it, and creating a large opening on the south side. 

Previous age estimates of Fort Rock ranged upwards to 1.8 million years. Recently, the age of Fort Rock has been estimated at 50,000 to 100,000 years. This coincides with a period of time when large pluvial lakes filled the valleys of central Oregon and much of the Great Basin of the western United States. At its maximum, the water in Fort Rock Lake was estimated to cover nearly 900 square miles (2,300 km2) and was about 150 feet (46 m) deep where the Fort Rock tuff ring formed.

The extensive terrace on the side of Fort Rock marks one lakeshore about 14,000 years ago. Even higher water levels are recorded on the tuff cliffs and at one point only the tops of the tuff ring were exposed as rocky islands in this inland sea. An age of about 21,000 years ago has been found for this highest lake level.

 

 

 

Fort Rock State Park. A majestic alternative to Smith Rock.

 

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