Near Valley Falls in Lake County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Abert Rim
Oregon Geology
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 31, 2011
1. Abert Rim Marker
Discovered by Captain John C. Fremont December 20, 1843 and named in honor of Captain J.J. Abert. Abert Rim, some 2,500 feet above the valley floor is one of the highest fault scarps in the in the United States. This basalt formation, a basic lava covering most of Eastern Oregon, issued from great fissures during the Miocene period of geologic history many millions of years ago. After this extensive lava flooding, the Earth's crust was fractured at many points and great blocks were tilted. Abert Rim is the western edge of one of these tilted blocks while Abert Lake lies on the top of another.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. A significant historical date for this entry is December 20, 1843.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 42° 29.43′ N, 120° 16.924′ W. Marker was near Valley Falls, Oregon, in Lake County. It was on Oregon 31 north of U.S. 395, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: OR-31, Lakeview OR 97630, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in the High Desert and in Eastern Oregon. It was also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it was in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Abert Rim (approx. 1.9 miles away); Chandler State Park (approx. 5.6 miles away).
More about this marker. This marker was, as of 2011 when this picture was taken, on the east side of OR 31 just north of the US 395 junction at Valley Falls Oregon. Per Google Maps, which only has 2007 and 2024 views of the area, the phone lines were moved from the eastern side of the road to the western of the road sometime after 2011 when this picture was taken, so I assume the marker was removed at that time. It appears on 2007 Google Maps but not in 2024.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on June 21, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
