On a clear day from the top of Paulina Peak, the view spreads from California to Washington with Paulina and East lakes below. The brochure from Newberry National Volcanic Monument reads, "The caldera may have originally held one large lake ... but deposits of pumice and lava divided the crater into two separate bodies of water."

You have a choice of driving the washboardy gravel road 4 miles to the top, or hiking a trail that cuts through the woods. We opted to drive. :)

The elevation sign at the parking area near the top reads 7,984 feet. We climbed a small outcropping of rocks from there, hoping our GPS would read 8,000 feet, but even with Gary standing on tip toes and reaching up into the air, it was only 7,995 feet. Bummer.

The snow-capped mountains in the photo above are Bachelor, South Sister, and Broken Top. Interestingly, Broken Top looks wide and massive from this angle and hides the Middle and North Sisters.

This photo of Paulina Peak is taken from across Paulina Lake. The water is a beautiful shade of blue-green (the first photo on this page doesn't capture its true color).

There are several trails in the Newberry volcanic park, ranging in distance from .5 to 21 miles. This photo and the next feature the 2-mile round trip hike to the top of Little Crater. See Paulina Creek/Paulina Falls for a second easy but spectacular hike.

Looking west, the trail up to Little Crater features views of Paulina Peak.

The Little Crater trail ascends 500 feet through Lodgepole Pine and past grassy open areas littered with wildflowers.

On some of the steeper grade, railroad ties have been strategically placed.

Paulina Lake and a portion of East Lake are visible from the top of the Little Crater trail.

Elevation: Little Crater trail: 6,409 feet elevation, with an approximate 500-foot gain to the top of the crater.

Trail distance: 2 miles round trip.

Rated: Moderate

Latitude: 43.43094

Longitude: 121.14491

Directions: From Bend, travel south on Hwy 97. Turn left between milepost 161 and 162 at the Newberry Caldera sign. Travel 11 miles to the toll booth at the park entrance.

• Paulina Peak: Travel approximately 1 mile past the toll booth and turn right at the Paulina Peaks sign. The paved road turns into gravel and it is 3.8 washboardy miles to the top on a single lane road that is steep and winding.

• Little Crater trail: After visiting Paulina Peak, turn right on the main road and travel another mile or so, watching for the Little Crater Campground sign. Turn left and drive nearly 1 mile through the lakeshore campground to the very end. Park in a gravel area near the trailhead sign. Head uphill on railroad tie stair steps.

Fees: $5 at the toll gate, or a Northwest Forest Pass.