GREETINGS FROM CRATER LAKE NP,
Oregon (OR), USA
Today we set-off for National Park number 5 on this trip – Crater Lake.
On leaving our hotel, we first drove through a very attractive part of the town – relatively new by the looks of it – with manicured homes and extensive open parkland with walking and bike paths. All this was along a section of the Deschutes River, the same river where the Old Mill was located. We could tell it was new as it had roundabouts – not a common occurrence in the USA. We then came upon some sort of marathon or triathlon as many of the side streets had marshals directing traffic and every now and then we would find a bedraggled looking runner or cyclist. We then found “the pack” of runners which extended for quite a distance.
Bend OR to Crater Lake NP, OR
Leaving suburbia, we joined the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. The Cascade Mountains include Mt Rainier and Mt St Helens and extend further down here into Oregon. We could actually see the tops of this part of the Cascade Mountains ! They are certainly not as high as the big names but very pretty all the same. It is a very popular winter location – only 30-45 minutes from Bend.
But it is also popular in the summer as there are a number of lakes dotted amongst the mountains.
Perfect reflections
Adrienne’s guidebook found us a treasure in our first stop – Sparks Lake. Turning off the main road, the access was a bit bumpy but the lake stop at the end yielded us superb reflections in the still waters of the lake of the mountains above.
Elk Lake
A bit further on was Elk Lake “Resort” – “Resort” seemed to be the local description for campground as it was certainly a stretch of the imagination to what we would classify as a resort. However, the locations were stunning – Elk Lake had a small marina with quite a few sailing boats and there were a couple out on the lake this lovely Sunday morning.
We stopped into a couple of other lakes on our way as they all had varying views of the surrounding mountains.
Lava flow
This section of the Cascade Mountains is also remnants of volcanic activity – one of the peaks is called “Broken Top” and almost looks like a mini version of Mt St Helens. And we came upon one section of an old lava flow which was just something else.
One part had in fact formed the end of a natural reservoir and another stood hauntingly behind the tree line. All of this was on a fairly flat area and as we drove along we could see the gigantic volcanic lava boulders almost like a wall behind the trees.
We managed to find a campground where we could get a better look at it. It was almost like someone had poured black concrete in behind the tree line – but 10 or 20 metres high !
Hungry Chipmunk
We left the Byway and returned to the Highway for the last leg toward Crater Lake before heading west to the entrance. As we started along the round toward the entrance, it seemed to be getting cloudy. As we got closer we realised it was smoke from the fires which were still burning.
These had started on August 1 and were still burning ! As we approached the entrance gate, I think we were both feeling a little disappointed as visibility was very poor from the smoke haze. As we arrived at the northern rim of the lake, it was almost fully blanketed with the smoke haze, and only the very edge exhibited any sign of the “deep blue” colour we were hoping to see.
Phantom Ship in the haze
But we set off on the eastern rim drive with hopes that the view might improve later in the day – it hadn’t been a long drive so it was only just after lunch when we arrived. We stopped at a couple of overlooks but the view was no better and we moved on. Parts of the drive get lower as the rim of the crater drops away in some sections. One view point is called the Phantom Ship Overlook as there is a little island which looks a bit like a ghostly old pirate ship. With the haze, it added to that illusion.
Much clearer – smoke haze to the north
We then stopped at a point called Sun Notch. It was a bit of a trail to get to the crater rim but we felt it had seemed a bit clearer and worth the walk. And that it was. The wind had shifted and picked up from the south west and was clearing the haze away from the crater instead of into it. So it was clearing right in front of us and the deep blue was becoming deep blue and it was a very deep blue ! – and our hike was very worthwhile.
View from the Loo
Back into the car we drove onto the Lodge and though too early to check in we were now able to get almost perfect views of the lake from the Lodge Overlook. We then had a coffee before getting to the Lodge and checking in.
What a sight !
We have a 3rd floor Lake View Room – and even a “View from the Loo” !
We decided on an early dinner booking so we could try to get some sunset photos.
The food was excellent – they certainly do cater well – and we shared a Mushroom Bruschetta for starters and both had the “Chef Special” for main – Alaskan Cod with a shrimp and crab mornay sauce. We even managed to share Huckleberry Ice Cream for dessert !
The blue colour goes to
bed with the sunset
It may be hot during the day but the temperature certainly drops in the evening at these heights! We donned our jackets and managed a few nice sunset shots before heading in for the night.
Another full day here tomorrow to explore further.