Skinner Butte Columnar Basalt

Skinner Butte in Eugene, Oregon is named after Eugene Skinner, the founder of Eugene and famous for saying "A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man." LOL Not really, but it's a perfectly cromulent sentiment.
A quick shout out to the newest channel member Joe Neuman.
Skinner Butte is home to a type of geologic formation called columnar basalt or columnar basalt.
Column basalt began as a lava flow subjected to a rapid flow of cooling water. The current theory is that at least. These column basalt formations were believed to have mystical origins by early cultures.
Today, tourists from all over the world marvel at these locations around the world.
The relatively low height and urban location created a perfect environment for Oregonians interested in climbing. The formation allows for several types of climbing techniques to be practiced only a few feet off the ground instead of hundreds of feet.
Climbing walls exist, but can't reproduce how rope anchors will behave when used. Free climbers often get their first experience climbing at Skinner Butte. We see several climbing instructors encouraging and educating students during our visit.

[@rebeccaofsunnybrookefarm8469]

Way cool David... thanks for taking us along.

[@wholewellnesswithann]

Gorgeous finds!! That area is definitely on my bucket list. 🙌🏼

[@HeatherAleksa-ey7wj]

I don't know how I stumbled across your video on how to clean rust stains but I'm from Eugene! Thanks for the videos. I'm new to rockhounding though I've picked up rocks and cool sticks, dead bugs etc forever.

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

It looks like the feature is right in town! That's pretty cool. Devil's Tower in Wyoming is a really dramatic example of columnar basalt and also Devil's Post Pile in California. I don't know why it all belongs to the devil! Thanks for sharing this interesting spot!

[@West_Coast_Rocks]

They are ancient petrified plant remains. Look at devils tower. Lava doesn't harden in near perfect columns. These are hexagonal upon further inspection. Exactly like vascular walls of plants. Just on a large, petrified scale

[@gwynnfarrell1856]

@@West_Coast_Rocks 😅 Better look that one up, rooster!

[@HeatherAleksa-ey7wj]

It is right downtown! It's a beautiful area. There are 2 rivers that flow through and so much natural beauty.

[@crystaltuski2493]

This is where I live but I do not recognize. Through the woods and by the river. I guess I need to explore more

[@DavidBriggsAdventures]

Skinner Butte is the big hill between the train station and the river.

[@treefilms3607]

Where do you go to find rocks?

[@DavidBriggsAdventures]

I find most of it on the Rogue River. Gravel bars and the beach where gravels wash up is the best advice for beginners.

[@TheHighest-x6k]

Youre inside a uge tree buddy