Due to the geographic location, geologic history, and climatic regime, the Bluestone flora more closely resembles plants that would be found on the east side of the Cascade Range and into the Great Basin. Notable among this group would be the Big Headed Clover, Desert Sage, Arrow Leaf Buckwheat, Grass Widows, and the Death Camus.

            The property is located next to about 400 non-grazed acres supporting a wide diversity of perennial and annual grasses with over 100 flowering plants. Most of the 400 acres of non-grazed area has been protected for more than 20 years.

            The property is located in the “Bluestone Range” in the north east corner of the Shasta Valley. The “Range” extends south to the Little Shasta Road, about 5 miles, east to the Cascades, west into the Shasta Valley, and north into southern Oregon. The “Range” is approximately 20-30 million years old. It definitely predates the Cascade Range directly to the east.

             Bluestone Butte is comprised of various types of weathered volcanic rock; including andesite dikes, silt outcroppings, dacite formations, tuft formations of various volcanic mixes, and extensive breccia formations.

             The name “Bluestone” comes from the blue coloring that has stained many of the rock formations in the area.  This coloring is derived from small amounts of copper in the parent magma. Since there is some dacite in the area, various types of chalcedonies are to be found in the form of agates, jasper, and true quartz crystals. Petrified wood can also be found in areas adjacent to the property.

About The Owner

The Bluestone Butte was originally two parcels that were combined into the ownership it is today by the current owner.  Being and amateur astronomer the owner went strait to work on his observatory. The butte is a star gazers paradise.  With low horizons and minimal light pollution it was no mystery why the owner purchased it.  Not long after construction of what was aptly named the Jefferson State Observatory, or JSO for short, the images came rolling in. Click on the images below for a closer look or pay his website a visit at www.jsomccabe.com.