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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, May 8, 2015

Crater Lake National Park

Packed a lunch, and Emma, and my cameras and headed for Crater Lake Nat’l Park this morning.  It was a drive of about 85 miles to get there, but who knows if I’ll ever be this close again.

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Along the way on Hwy 62, an Oregon Scenic Byway, I stopped at a Forest Service overlook to see the Rogue River Gorge.  I think Sherry would appreciate that this part of the Rogue River has been left wild.  _MG_1874

There was a nice paved trail that led to four overlooks of the cascading river.  I was in no rush, so Emma and I took the trail.

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There were some nice views of the river if you stuck your head through the fencing (or if you were much taller than I am).  I’m guessing that most people skip this stop on their way to Crater Lake.  It was a good chance for me to stretch my legs and enjoy a stroll in the forest.  We had the place all to ourselves.

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Eventually we reached the west entrance to the park.  I believe it’s the only entrance open this early in the season.  There is still enough snow cover in this high location that the East and West Rim drives aren’t open yet.  If I were here a week later, the East Rim drive would be open.

_MG_1893Right now, only seven miles of road is open, and that leads you to Rim Village with an overlook of Crater Lake.  All that white in the foreground is snow.

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Merikay had informed me that the quarter mile walk at the rim allows dogs, so that’s why I was able to bring Emma with me on this excursion.  In season, there are also four trails that dogs are allowed on in this park.  Not many National Parks allow dogs anywhere but on paved roads and picnic areas to my knowledge, so this was unusual.

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And for a change, Emma actually seemed interested in looking at the lake rather than just keeping her nose to the ground.  Winking smile  Because of the remaining snow, that quarter mile rim walk was limited to about 100 feet.  I honestly can’t say we spent much time there, and could only see one part of this huge lake.  The water sure did reflect the blue of the sky though.  Perhaps I’ll be able to return when the rim drives are open.

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Since we couldn’t go any further, we turned around and headed for home.  Stopped for lunch at the Goodbye Creek picnic area on the way out.  Once again, we had the whole place to ourselves.  It was a gorgeous spot, and I just loved the smell of all those Douglas firs surrounding us.

Meanwhile, it’s Friday night in a state park.  I haven’t spent a weekend in a state park in quite some time, and this place is brimming with weekenders enjoying their two days off.  It’s good to see so many families out enjoying the area.  Seems pretty quiet to me.  Hope it stays that way…

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

29 comments:

  1. Glad you got there. It is one of my favorite sights.

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  2. I always enjoy reading about you folks seeing Crater Lake for the 1st time.....Living in the NW I have been there many times, even diving into the water with my brother.
    Make a point of visiting later in the summer. The drive around the rim gives so many great views.
    Upriverdavid

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  3. Looks like a beautiful lake, I heard it is scary deep:)

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  4. You pictures of the lake sure came out well. Thanks for the tour.

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  5. Crater Lake is an amazing sight. Although we've been before whenever I see photos it just doesn't look real.

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  6. We were there in July one year and there was still snow in some places. It's a beautiful lake!

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  7. Emma looks like she is having a great time. It really is a gorgeous lake and I have always said we needed to go back when we didn't have to climb up snow to see it. Now the Rogue River is incredible. I loved walking along and listening to the roaring sound of the water.

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  8. As always, I love seeing photos of Crater Lake. I never get tired of looking at it.

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  9. My father lived in Oregon in his younger days and loved Crater Lake. I went there one time as a teenager. A couple years ago the cowboy and I went and the forest fire smoke was so bad--no blue to the water at all.

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  10. Our visit there included hiking down to put my feet in the water, but the climb back up was something else!!! While you are in the area, there is a jet boat ride on the Rogue that is awesome!!! Enjoy.

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    1. I remember that upward climb, too! Took 3 times as long to get back up....

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  11. Oh it is beautiful beyond words!

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  12. Glad you and Emma got to experience the lake.

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  13. You are so right that I would to see the unfettered Rogue. Hats off to at least this part of Oregon for keeping the river free. Thanks so much for stopping there and taking the walk. Oregon is a place we have been heading for both times we had to turn back. Hope it's not something in the cards. Gorgeous header picture of Crater Lake. I do hope you get to return and take those trails. No words are so beautiful as "had the place all to myself". What a wonderful day. I would definitely have driven 85 miles to have it.

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  14. Crater Lake is easily in our top ten spots that people must see...

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  15. I'm glad to hear that they have one trail that is dog friendly! Your photos are great!

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  16. How gorgeous....so glad you got a chance to see it even with the snow and limited access.

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  17. We drove the Oregon and Washington Coast once, but didn't do Crater Lake...We did get to Mt. St. Helen. I really enjoy that West Coast...it reminds me a lot of Maine with all those big boulders!

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  18. Nice pictures. The Rogue River is beautiful. Upper and lower. Do watch out for those ticks in the long grass. They are nasty. Say 'Hi' to Newell & Linda; very nice hosts at Bandpn this month. Safe travels.

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  19. Crater Lake is the only one to have its own Post Office. The jet boat ride is well worth it. See you down the road.

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  20. Crater Lake is the only one to have its own Post Office. The jet boat ride is well worth it. See you down the road.

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  21. Snow!!! We sure could use a little of that down here in Key West, 93 degrees. We Yankees aren't used to this kind of heat! :cO

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  22. Two of our favorite stops last summer. We were there in mid June and there was roads closed then too.

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  23. The drive from the C/G to Crater Lake was very beautiful. Joseph Stewart SRA looked like an interesting spot to camp, also. Hopefully you'll be able to squeeze in another trip to the lake while in Oregon.

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  24. The blue color of Crater Lake never fails to amaze. You lucked out with the weather for your short visit.

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  25. We were in that area in June and could only do a one mile drive. We decided not to drive the 100 miles for a one-mile drive. Glad you were able to see that gorgeous lake. I live the deep blue of the water. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. Love your pictures of Crater Lake. We were there in early Spring several years ago and the snow was about 10ft high along the roads. In fact the Rim Road was not yet open.

    Travel safe.

    Jan and Greg

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