Oregon Trails

From Mike:

Hiking along the 804, Oregon
The 804 is an old stage road which now has been turned into a trail protected by the state and owned by the county. It runs along the coast in front of the hotels and between some of the state parks around Yachats.    A gorgeous trail.  Travelers used to go between stretches of beach and road to go down the coast.  We walked it a bit before we left for our trek down to Crater Lake. Reminded us of Marginal Way in Ogunquit, ME.

Karen creating a Cairn 

Crater Lake: 

There are few places which invoke such a response as when you drive up 6500 feet and first look over the edge of the rim of Crater Lake



Wizard Mountain



Thursday we explored the lake by hiking several of the smaller hikes and driving the rim drive including a visit to the Pinnacles, on the far Southeast corner of the park.

Lady of the Woods

We began our day by hiking the short Lady of the Woods trail while we waited for the visitors center to open. This is a short trail telling about the architecture of the lodges at Crater Lake.  

Found her!!

The Cleetwood cove trail is the only trail down to the lake. It is actually illegal to hike down any other way.

Walking on the Cleetwood Cove trail down to the lake

The Pinnacles
  A short hike to the pinnacles...Even though you have to travel a 7 mile road to get there, it is well worth it.

The Garfield Peak Trail.
 The Klamath tribes have much oral history about Crater Lake when it was Mt. Mazama.    Up until 1889 some could be seen doing vision quests on the mountain.  On Thursday after our trip around rim drive, our tour of the lake, and our several smaller hikes I had a real desire to climb Garfield Peak.  I did it alone and although the first thought that came to my mind when I reached the top was "got to get back down in time for our dinner reservations" it was a beautiful hike.

The view down to Crater Lake Lodge from Garfield Peak trail

Tree on summit of Garfield Peak

Coming face to face with a Pika after seeing dirt shoot out a hole

Redwood National Forest

Redwoods are big trees.  On Friday, after visiting Oregon Caves National Monument,  we took a really cool dirt road (Howland Hill Road) cutting over to Route 101 from Route 199 to drive through the redwoods and to hike Stout Grove.  As it was raining, it was not crowded. I felt honored to be walking among some of these trees that were here 2000 years ago.  

OK, I admit it, this was California. 

Saturday & Sunday in San Francisco...and then on to Yosemite! 

--Mike