Saturday – July 30, 2016
Cascade Lakes Relay
Bend, Oregon
We enjoyed a leisurely auto tour of the Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway today.
While traveling on the Century Drive Highway leg of this trip we encountered the
Cascades Lakes Relay event. There were 203 teams, comprised of Running and
Walking teams, that competed in this relay from Diamond Lake to Bend. The
stamina exhibited by these competitors traversing the steep elevations of the
relay route was absolutely amazing.
The Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in central Oregon.
It runs for 66 miles in the rugged country of Deschutes and Klamath counties on
the east side of the Cascade Range. It offers particularly good views of Mount
Bachelor and provides access to many recreational facilities in central Oregon.
The route is so named because it weaves past a number of small natural lakes
along the Cascades, as well as several reservoirs on the upper Deschutes River.
The Century Drive Highway begins at an interchange with US-97 (the Bend
Parkway) in Bend. It heads west along Colorado Avenue and Century Drive, which
it follows to the entrance to the Mount Bachelor Ski Resort, where Century Drive
Highway ends.
A turnoff on the Century Drive Highway leads to the Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort.
With nearly 3,700 acres of lift-served terrain and a 3,365-foot vertical drop,
it’s the largest ski area in Oregon, with deep dry snow that often last into
June. In summer, hikers and sightseers can ride the chairlift to the Pine Marten
Lodge at an elevation of 7,775 feet for views that stretch from Washington to
California.
Friday – July 29, 2016
Downtown Walking Tour
Bend, Oregon
We awake to another beautiful, sunny day, at our dispersed campsite, nestled
deep within the Deschutes National Forest. The temperature will be in the middle
80’s with low humidity (Dew Point in the 20’s) making for a perfect day to do a
walking tour of the downtown area.
As we crossed the Deschutes River, on our way to town, "tubers" were
leisurely floating down the river. The more adventurous "tubers" were running
the man-made rapids. Several years ago, the city of Bend developed the rapids so
residents, young and old, could enjoy the experience of "riding the rapids."
This is probably one of the most popular areas during the summer months.
Downtown Bend is just a "cool" place to visit. People are friendly, the town
is clean and thriving with all kinds of boutique shops, general merchandise
stores, café’s, breweries and street performers. One elderly cowboy had a lasso
and was roping a man-made steer head mounted to a saddle. He was quite good. He
never missed, while we were watching.
A young street performer had tired of playing his guitar and decided a nap was in order. Oh to be that young again! Well… upon further
reflection, maybe not!
The above scenes are captured in the video below.
Bend, Oregon Facts
Incorporated: January 4, 1905
Elevation: 3,623 feet
Population: 76,639 (2010)
Annual precipitation: 11 inches – most of it during winter.
Bend is Central Oregon's largest city, and despite its modest size, is the de
facto metropolis of the region, owing to the low population density of that
area. Bend recorded a population of 76,693 at the time of the 2010 US Census, up
from 52,029 at the 2000 census. The estimated population of the city as of 2013
is 81,236. Bend's metro population was estimated at 165,954 as of July 1, 2013.
The name Bend was derived from "Farewell Bend", the designation used by early
pioneers to refer to the location along the Deschutes River where the town was
eventually platted, one of the few fordable points along the river.
Bend is located on the eastern edge of the Cascade Range along the Deschutes
River. Here the Ponderosa Pine forest transitions into the high desert,
characterized by arid land, junipers, sagebrush, and bitter-brush. Originally a
crossing point on the river, settlement began in the early 1900s. Bend was
incorporated as a city in 1905. Economically, it started as a logging town but
is now identified as a gateway for many outdoor sports.
Tourism is one of Bend's largest sectors. The Mount Bachelor ski resort
brings in tourists from all over Oregon, Washington, and California. The nearby
Cascade Lakes are also a large draw for tourists. Recreational activities
include downhill and cross country skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, golfing,
camping, fishing, picnicking, rock climbing, and general sightseeing. Men's
Journal ranked Bend as one of The 10 Best Places to Live. Much of Bend's rapid
growth in recent years is due to its attraction as a retirement destination.
Bend is home to the Deschutes Brewery, the 6th largest craft brewery in the
nation and the largest of over a dozen microbreweries in the city. Each year the
city hosts many events celebrating its brewing culture including: The Bend
Oktoberfest, The Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew and Whiskey Fest, Bend Brewfest,
and Central Oregon Beer Week. Beer aficionados can also visit many of the
breweries along the Bend Ale Trail. Since 2004, Bend has also hosted one of the
top indie film festivals in the nation: The Bend Film Festival.
Bend's climate is typical of the high desert with cool nights and sunny days,
classified as semi-arid. Annual precipitation averages 11.2 inches, with an
annual average snowfall of 23.8 inches. The winter season in Bend provides a
mean temperature of 31.1 °F in December. Nighttime temperatures are not much
lower than daytime highs during the winter.
Central Oregon summers are marked by their very large diurnal temperature
ranges, with a July daily average of 64.5 °F, and an average diurnal temperature
variation approaching 35 °F. Hard frosts are not unheard of during the summer
months. Autumn usually brings warm, dry days and cooler nights, and Bend is
known for its annual Indian summer.
Thursday – July 28, 2016
High Desert Museum
U.S. Highway 97
Bend, Oregon
We spent the day visiting the High Desert Museum.
High Desert Museum Facts:
Established: 1982
Location: Bend, Oregon
Type: Natural history
Visitors: 150,000 per year
The High Desert Museum sits on 135 acres of pine covered forest land in
Central Oregon. South of Bend on U.S. Route 97, the museum includes various
indoor and outdoor exhibits, wildlife in natural-like habitats, living history
demonstrations, a library, a desertarium, and a cafe. Opened in 1982, it brings
regional wildlife, culture, art and natural resources together to promote an
understanding of natural and cultural heritage of North America's high desert
country.
The museum was founded by Donald M. Kerr, a native of Portland, Oregon. Kerr
had a passion for natural history that inspired a lifelong interest in
environmental issues, especially the protection of native animals. In 1974, Kerr
established the Western Natural History Institute, and the High Desert Museum
was an outgrowth of the institute opening in 1982. The museum was originally
called the Oregon High Desert Museum; however, the name was later changed to
recognize the regional nature of the high desert environment it highlights.
The High Desert Museum has a 53,000-square-foot main building. Exhibits
include a Forest Service fire truck, a stagecoach, and a number of Native
American history displays. The Native American exhibit covers life on the land
before the white man, and life on a reservation.
The museum's Hall of Exploration and Settlement has displays highlighting a
hundred years of high desert history. Scenes include a trapper's camp, survey
party's camp, pioneer wagon train, a mining claim, an early western boomtown,
and a high desert buckaroo camp.
Outside the museum building a quarter-mile trail follows a forest stream
lined with aspens and ponderosa pines. Along the way visitors can stop at a
number of exhibits and animal habitats. The popular outdoor exhibits feature a
river otter, a porcupine, sheep, gray fox, and birds of prey.
There is also a Native American encampment, a start-of-the-20th-century
sawmill, logging equipment, homesteaders cabin, and a forestry pavilion. A
visitor can actually walk through an early 1860s town complete with blacksmith
shop, Chinese mercantile, and stagecoach stop.
Tuesday – July 26, 2016
Deschutes National Forest
Dispersed Camping – Forest Road 41
Bend, Oregon
We spent a restful night a the Sno-Park at mile marker 14 on the Century
Drive Highway, along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. During the night two other campers in Class B RV’s had joined us
to spend the night.
We passed a Forest Ranger Station on our way to the Sno-Park yesterday. It
was closed for the day. We returned today to get information and maps on
dispersed camping within the Deschutes National Forest. The ranger provided us
five maps and basic rules for dispersed camping. So off we go on Forest Road 41
in search of a campsite.
We find a temporary spot on the river side of Forest Road 41 to unhitch the
trailer while we search for a suitable campsite. About 1.5 miles east of the
Century Drive Highway on Forest Road 41 we find a rutted dirt road leading into
the forest. We subsequently see log trucks hauling logs on this road from the
interior of the forest. An adjacent road leads up a hill and forms a circular
route back to the logging road. There are a few very nice campsites within this
section, but unfortunately all of them are occupied. There are about 50 yards of
forest separating the campsites. We return to the logging road and find four
more campsites that are also occupied. We find another dirt road that splits off
from the logging road. We follow this road for one mile and success! We find the
perfect campsite. The campsite is quite large and isolated from other dispersed
campsites in the area. Having secured this free campsite, we can now explore the Bend, Oregon
area.
The Deschutes National Forest is located in central Oregon. It comprises 1.8
million acres along the east side of the Cascade Mountain Range. Within the
boundaries of the Deschutes National Forest is the Newberry National Volcanic
Monument, containing cinder cones, lava flows, and lava tubes. The Deschutes
National Forest as a whole contains in excess of 250 known caves. The forest
also contains five wilderness areas, six National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the
Oregon Cascade Recreation Area, and the Metolius Conservation Area.
Recreational activities in Deschutes National Forest include boating,
fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking, as well as mountain biking on an
extensive system of trails. Hiking and skiing can be done on Mount Bachelor, a
stratovolcano in the Cascade Range.
Tomorrow another adventure begins.
Travel Details:
Departed: Snow Park – Forest Road 46 – Mile Marker 14
Departure Time: 9:30 A.M.
Arrived: Deschutes National Forest Ranger Station
Arrival Time: 9:50 A.M.
Campground Name: Dispersed Camping – Forest Road #41
Type: Deschutes National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 43.98896
Longitude: W 121.40256
Elevation: 3,969 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: See GPS Coordinates
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: None
Total Campsites: Several in area.
Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-1 Bar
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Takes 25 minutes to download service - many trees
blocking antenna
Total miles traveled today: 8
Route Traveled:
North on Century Drive Highway
East on Forest Road 41 to Dispersed Campsite
Monday – July 25, 2016
Deschutes National Forest
Forest Road 46 – Century Drive Highway
Bend, Oregon
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
As we passed through Sisters, Oregon, on OR-20, we were surprised to find
such a quaint town. The town features boutique shops, restaurants, and art
galleries. Numerous visitors were touring the town as we passed through. We
decided we would come back to visit on our next visit to Oregon.
Upon our arrival in Bend we visited the Tumalo State Park. The purpose of our
visit was to check out the campground. As we expected, the campground was full
(typical during summer season – Oregon State Parks are very popular). Some of
the campsites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). Of interest, this
state park campground does not have a dump station. Those campers that do not
have a campsite with full hookups, and need to dump their tanks, must do so at a
fee-based dump station facility in the Bend area or for free at the La Pine
State Park in La Pine, Oregon. We were not impressed with the campsites at
Tumalo State Park. The campsites were too close together for our preference.
We continued on our way through the town of Bend on our way to National
Forest Highway 46. This route will take us to the Lava Rocks Campground, a
national forest campground, located within the Deschutes National Forest. The
campground is about 30 miles south of Bend. We had planned to set up our home
base here while exploring Bend and the surrounding area. At mile marker 14, we
spotted a Sno-Park. Perfect! Free Camping! We will spend the night here.
Campground Name: Sno-Park
Type: Overnight Camping
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 43.98471
Longitude: W 121.40256
Elevation: 5,500 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: large Parking Lot
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Vault Toilets
Total Campsites: Several
Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service
Total miles traveled today: 136
Route Traveled:
East on OR-242
East on US-20
South on US-97
West on Colorado Ave. (follow signs to Mt. Bachelor)
South on Century Drive
South on Forest Road 46 (Century Drive Highway) to MM-14
Friday – July 22, 2016
Belknap Crater Volcano
Sisters, Oregon
We spent a restful night at the Paradise Campground in McKenzie Bridge,
Oregon. We headed east on Oregon Route 126 toward Bend, Oregon.
Sharon suggested we explore the scenic McKenzie Highway on Oregon Route 242.
This highway is noted as one of the most picturesque scenic byways Oregon
offers. There are warning signs posted at the east and west entrances to this
route that prohibits vehicles over 35 feet in length. A turn-around area is
provided for oversize vehicles. We are 34 feet overall… so off we go!
The McKenzie Highway travels through Lane, Linn, and Deschutes counties,
beginning at the junction with OR 126 near McKenzie Bridge and ending at the
junction with US Highway 20 and OR 126 at the city of Sisters. The highway is
part of the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway.
The McKenzie Highway route was originally built with private funds in the
1870's as a wagon toll road. The section between the towns of Blue River in Lane
County and Sisters in Deschutes County became a Forest Road in 1919. The road
was relocated and widened in 1920, graded and surfaced between 1920 and 1924,
and became a Oregon State Highway in 1925.
The McKenzie Pass Highway became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962. The
narrow, twisting roadway and high elevation (5,325 feet) made the highway too
difficult to maintain and keep clear during the winter months. Since this time,
ODOT closes the highway each fall and reopens it in early summer after the snow
melts. During the summer, about 300 cars a day travel the highway.
The western section of McKensie Highway contains a series of 15-25 mph sharp
curves as the elevation increases from 1,600 feet to over 5,000 feet. The
scenery along this route is filled with flourishing green forests lining both
sides of the route. As we continue our travel eastward we enter a section of
highway that is engulfed on both sides by towering, black lava fields, probably
10 to 15 feet high. The lava fields extend off into the distance as far as the
eye can see. We have arrived at the Belknap Crater Volcano.
Belknap Crater Volcano is a small Holocene shield volcano with a capping
cinder cone. It is located in the Cascade Range near central Oregon’s McKenzie
Pass. It is a typical example of one type of volcanism responsible for
construction of the High Cascade volcanic arc. The Belknap complex comprises
many lava flows. The lava flows cover about 40 square miles. The main Belknap
shield has a diameter of approximately five miles.
Eruptions from this area took place from about 3,000 to 1,500 years ago as a
few different phases. The first eruptions produced tephra that spread over a
broad area to the northeast and southeast as basaltic lava flows traveled
eastward for 6 miles from a growing shield. About 2,900 years ago, a second
phase produced a smaller shield known as Little Belknap. The third phase
produced the remaining bulk of the volcanic complex, which erupted basaltic
andesite lavas from the central vent, Belknap Crater, about 1,500 years ago, and
from a vent just over one mile to the south, South Belknap cone, about 1,700
years ago. The final eruptions from the base of Belknap Crater sent lava 9 miles
west into the McKenzie River valley.
Exploring the McKenzie Highway was a wonderful experience. With the evening
fast approaching it was time to find a place to stay for a few nights. The state
park campgrounds throughout Oregon are some of the finest in the Northwest
Region of the United States, and not surprising, campsites are booked in advance
for the summer season. Fortunately, we are now traveling through the Willamette
National Forest on the McKenzie Highway. This national forest has several
campgrounds and dispersed camping areas. Seven miles west of Sisters, Oregon we
pulled into the oversize vehicle turn-around-area. Within this area, there was a
dirt road, going up a hill, and then leading off into the interior of the
forest. While Sharon waited in our vehicle, I hiked into the forest and
discovered a dispersed camping site.
As I pulled our trailer into the campsite,
Sharon found it to her liking and we set up our campsite. This is perfect! Free
camping! We are totally isolated from civilization. We are looking forward to
the solitude for a few days.
Campground Name: Dispersed Camping
Type: Willamette National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 44.30965
Longitude: W 121.70728
Elevation: 4,245 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: Primitive
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: None
Total Campsites: 2 or 3 dispersed campsites
Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (too many trees blocking antenna)
Total miles traveled today: 30
Route Traveled:
East on OR-126
East on OR-242 to Dispersed Campsite
Thursday – July 21, 2016
Paradise Campground
McKenzie Bridge, Oregon
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
We spent Wednesday continuing our travel north on US-101 exploring the rugged
Oregon coastline. This is our second day of dealing with the morning fog that
obscures the beaches and rock formations along the coast. The fog finally burns
off around noon.
We reach Eugene, Oregon and head inland on OR-126. Our trusty Allstays Camp
and RV app directs us to the Paradise Campground, a National Forest campground,
near McKenzie, Oregon.
McKenzie Bridge is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, on the
McKenzie River and within Willamette National Forest. It is located along Oregon
Route 126, about 53 miles east of Eugene, between Rainbow and Belknap Springs.
McKenzie Bridge was the home of the National Register of Historic Places
listed Log Cabin Inn until March 29, 2006, when it was destroyed by fire.
The McKenzie River Ranger Station, originally the site of the 1934 Civilian
Conservation Corps Camp Belknap, is located in McKenzie Bridge.
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average
monthly temperatures above 71.6 degrees F, according to the Köppen Climate
Classification system.
We will spend one night here.
Tomorrow another adventure begins.
Travel Details:
Departed: Coos Bay, Oregon
Departure Time: 11:10 A.M.
Arrived: McKenzie Bridge, OR
Arrival Time: 5:00 P.M.
Campground Name: Paradise
Type: National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 44.18500
Longitude: W 122.09200
Elevation: 1,600 Feet
Camping Fee: $22.00 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: 20
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Trash Dumpster, Dump Station
Total Campsites: 63
Cellular Service: Verizon – No service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (too many trees blocking antenna)
Total miles traveled today: 184
Route Traveled:
North on US-101
East on OR-126 to Paradise Campground
Wednesday – July 20, 2016
Bastendorff Beach County Park
Coos Bay, Oregon
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
We spent Tuesday exploring Redwood National Park near Crescent City,
California. We set off to explore the Oregon coastline from the California state
line up to Eugene, Oregon. The morning started off quite foggy and burned off by
about noon. Does this morning coastal fog ever end?
We will spend one night at the Bastendorf Beach County Park campground. This
is a very crowded campground. However, a short walk within the park provides a
wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean.
Tomorrow another adventure begins.
Travel Details:
Departed: Crescent City, California
Departure Time: 11:50 A.M.
Arrived: Bastendorff Beach County Park
Arrival Time: 4:45 P.M.
Campground Name: Bastendorff Beach County Park
Type: County
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 43.34123
Longitude: W 124.34990
Elevation: 76 Feet
Camping Fee: $26.14
Campsite: 32
Campsite Hookups: Electric, Water
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Free Hot Showers, Trash Dumpster, Dump
Station
Total Campsites: 99
Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (too many trees blocking antenna)
Total miles traveled today: 143
Route Traveled:
North on US-101
Left on Beaver Hill Road
Right on Seven Devils Road
Left on Walker Lane
Left on Cape Arago Highway
Right on Bastendorf Beach Road
Tuesday – July 19, 2016
Redwood National Park
Orick, California
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
We were planning to tour the Oregon Pacific Coastline on Monday, but we
delayed those plans to visit the Redwoods National Park in Orick, California.
Our homebase for this visit is Shoreline RV Park in Crescent City, California.
The park is located on the west side of US-101, alongside the coast of the
Pacific Ocean and about 36 miles north of Redwoods National Park.
The native range of the Coast Redwood tree is from the northern California
coast north to the southern Oregon Coast. The tree is closely related to the
giant sequoia of central California. Redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth.
The tallest tree in the park, Hyperion, stands at 379 feet tall.
Coast Redwood Facts:
Height: To nearly 380 feet
Age: To 2,000 years
Bark: To 12 inches thick
Base: To 22 feet diameter
Reproduce: By seed or sprout
Seed Size: Like a tomato seed
Cone Size: Like a large olive
In 1800 redwood forests probably covered two million acres. Seeming endless
at first, the trees soon succumbed to a determined logging industry. The State
of California preserved some key groves in the 1920’s. Congress created Redwood
National Park in 1968 to protect the world’s tallest trees.
In 1994 the National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and
Recreation administratively combined Redwood National Park with the three
abutting Redwood State Parks for the purpose of cooperative forest management
and stabilization of forests and watersheds as a single unit. Collectively, they
protect nearly 40,000 acres of ancient forest, almost half of all that remain.
Redwood-like trees grew over much of the Northern Hemisphere in the Age of
the Dinosaurs. Later climate change reduced redwood habitat to a narrow,
fog-bound coastal corridor. Coast redwoods reproduce by seed and by stump and
basal sprouting. Seeds slightly larger than a pinhead are released from mature
cones that ripen in August and September. If a redwood is felled or badly
burned, a ring of new trees often sprouts from burls around the trunk’s base.
These so-called "family groups" are common. Saplings use the parent tree’s root
system. Redwoods have no taproot; their roots penetrate only 10 to 13 feet deep
but spread out 60 to 80 feet.
From sea level to 3,200 feet in elevation in the Coast Range, a mild, moist
climate assures the National Park and State Parks an abundant diversity of
wildlife, including Roosevelt elk and black bears. Prairies form natural islands
of grasslands, where elk are frequently seen grazing.
Hiking on the trails through these enchanted forests of towering redwood
trees is a truly mystical experience.
Monday – July 18, 2016
Shoreline RV Park
Crescent City, California
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
We spent a restful night at the Walmart in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Since we
were in southern Oregon we decided to visit Redwood National Park located in the
northwest region of California near Crescent City. So off we go!
Our Allstays Camp and RV app, for our Android smartphone, directed us to the
Shoreline RV Park, a county park, located right on the coast of the Pacific
Ocean in Crescent City. This will be our home base while we explore Redwood
National Park.
Tomorrow another adventure begins.
Travel Details:
Departed: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Departure Time: 7:40 A.M.
Arrived: Crescent City, California
Arrival Time: 12:35 P.M.
Campground: Shoreline RV Park
Type: County
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 41.75303
Longitude: W 124.19093
Elevation: 7 Feet
Camping Fee: $30.62
Campsite: 51
Campsite Hookups: Full – Electric, Water, Sewer
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Hot Showers, Trash Dumpster, Free WiFi,
Laundry Room
Total Campsites: 94
Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service
Total miles traveled today: 215
Route Traveled:
West on OR-140
South on OR-199
South on US-101 to Shoreline RV Park
Sunday – July 17, 2016
Walmart Store #1772
Klamath Falls, Oregon
We spent a delightful six days exploring Crater Lake National Park. It is
time to replenish our food supplies and prescription medications. We will spend
the night at the Walmart in Klamath Falls before continuing on with our next
adventure.
Tomorrow another adventure begins.
Travel Details:
Departed: Crater Lake National Park
Departure Time: 11:50 A.M.
Arrived: Klamath Falls, OR
Arrival Time: 1:20 P.M.
Campground: Walmart
Type: Commercial
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 42.19388
Longitude: W 121.75820
Elevation: 4,083 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: By Garden Center
Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-4 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service
Total miles traveled today: 53
Route Traveled:
South on OR-62
South on US-97
South on US-97/US-39
West on Washburn Way to Walmart
Friday - July 15, 2016
Diamond Lake
Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Diamond Lake is a natural body of water in the southern part of Oregon. It
lies near the junction of Oregon Route 138 and Oregon Route 230 in the Umpqua
National Forest. It is located between Mount Bailey to the
west and Mount Thielsen to the east; it is just north of Crater Lake National
Park.
The outlet of the lake is at its north end. From there, water flows via Lake
Creek into the North Umpqua River and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean.
Diamond Lake
Length: 3.5 miles
Width: 1.5 miles
Surface Area: 3,040 acres
Average Depth: 24 feet
Maximum Depth: 52.5 feet
Surface Elevation: 5,183 feet
Fishing, swimming, horseback riding, and hunting are popular at Diamond Lake
in summer and fall. Winter sports include snowmobiling, Nordic and Alpine
skiing, inner tubing and sled dog racing.
Diamond Lake Resort on the east side of the lake offers lodging, restaurants,
stores, boat rentals, horse rentals, and other services.
The Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area is the closest state park to
Diamond Lake.
The Forest Service operates four campgrounds near Diamond Lake:
Diamond Lake Campground - 240 campsites along the east side of the lake.
Broken Arrow Campground - 148 sites at the lake's south end.
Thielsen View Campground - 58 sites along the west shore, and 5 sites along the the South
Shore.
Campground features include picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and garbage
bins; some have hookups for recreational vehicles.
Anglers often fish by boat near Silent Creek on the south and in deep water
on the north. There are five boat ramps around the lake, all of which have paved
access. The speed limit on the lake is 10 miles per hour. The lake is generally
open for fishing from late April through late October. Bank fishing is also productive at points along the lake trails.
Trails connect Diamond Lake to the summits of Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen.
One of the lake trails is a paved bike path 11 miles long.
The South Shore Picnic Area has a playground, volleyball court, horseshoe
pits, and a swimming beach, in addition to picnic accommodations.
Thursday - July 14, 2016
Plaikni Falls Trail
Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon
This route winds through old-growth fir and hemlock forest, past a series of
rugged bluffs, to the Plaikni Falls.
Plaikni, a Klamath Indian word meaning "from the high country," reflects the
origin of the falls high on the slopes of the volcano.
The high country receives an average yearly snowfall of 44 feet. Melting snow
percolates through the loose volcanic soil, hits an impermeable layer, and
surfaces as a spring.
One spring forms the origin of Sand Creek, which cascades down as Plaikni Falls.
In this lush environment, mosses and wildflowers thrive.
Wednesday - July 13, 2016
Castle in the Crater
Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Pumice Castle, shaped like the battlements of a castle, when pumice and other lavas welded
together at high temperatures. These air-filled
deposits were buried and compacted by later
lava flows and exposed when Mount Mazama collapsed.
A hardened base has kept Pumice Castle intact
as softer materials have eroded away.
Tuessday – July 12, 2016
Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Our first view of Crater Lake left us speechless and awestruck! Words cannot
adequately describe the scenic wonder of this spiritual area that is central to
the cultural traditions of local American Indian tribes.
Crater Lake National Park Facts:
Park established in 1902
Size: 183,224 acres
Lake Depth: 1,943 feet
Lake Width: 4.5 to 6 miles
Annual Snowfall: 44 feet
Crater Lake National Park protects the deepest lake in the United States.
Crater Lake has no streams flowing into or out of it. All water that enters the
lake is eventually lost from evaporation or subsurface seepage. The lake is
re-filled entirely from direct precipitation in the form of snow and rain. The
lake is considered to be the cleanest large body of water in the world. The
water is exceptional for its clarity and intense blue color.
The lake resides inside a caldera and is 1,949 feet deep at its deepest
point, which makes it the deepest lake in the United States, the second deepest
in North America and the ninth deepest in the world. The impressive average
depth of this volcanic lake is due to the nearly symmetrical 4,000-foot deep
caldera formed 7,700 years ago during the violent climactic eruptions and
subsequent collapse of Mount Mazama, a 12,000-foot-tall volcano. The eruption
may have been the largest in North America in the past 640,000 years. The
caldera rim ranges in elevation from 7,000 to 8,000 feet. The elevation of the
lake surface itself is 6,178 feet.
About 400,000 years ago, Mount Mazama began its existence in much the same
way as the other mountains of the Cascade Range, as overlapping shield
volcanoes. Over time, alternating layers of lava flows and pyroclastic flows
built Mazama's overlapping cones until it reached about 12,000 feet in height.
Around 5700 BC, Mazama collapsed into itself during a tremendous volcanic
eruption, losing 2,500 to 3,500 feet in height. The eruption formed a large
caldera that, depending on the prevailing climate, was filled in about 740
years, forming a beautiful lake known today as Crater Lake. The Mazama eruption
produced more than 150 times as much ash as the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount
St. Helens.
Volcanic activity in this area is fed by subduction off the coast of Oregon
as the Juan de Fuca Plate slips below the North American Plate. Heat and
compression generated by this movement has created a mountain chain topped by a
series of volcanoes, which together are called the Cascade Range.
Mammals that are residents of this national park are Canadian lynxes,
bobcats, beavers, chipmunks, pikas, foxes, cougars, squirrels, porcupines, black
bears, brown bears, coyotes, timber wolves, badgers, deer, elk, muskrats, and
martens. Birds that commonly fly through this park including raptors are
American dippers, Peregrine falcons, ravens, Clark's nutcrackers, gray jays,
bald eagles, hummingbirds and spotted owls while Canada geese float on its lake.
We explored Crater Lake via the Rim Drive. This is a 33-mile road that
encircles Crater Lake. It is one of America’s most scenic byways, with
spectacular views in all directions. Our "Must-See" stops included:
Discovery Point
It was near this spot, on the back of a mule in 1853, that gold prospector
John Hillman became the first European-American to stumble across what he called
"Deep Blue Lake."
Watchman Overlook
This overlook offers an unmatched view of Wizard Island, a cinder cone that
erupted out of Crater Lake 7,300 years ago.
Cloudclap Overlook
This site sits at the end of a 1-mile spur road, the highest paved road in
Oregon. Whitebark pines cling for survival here, dwarfed and contorted by the
harsh winds.
Pumice Castle Overlook
This is one of the park’s most colorful features: a layer of orange pumice
rock that has been eroded into the shape of a medieval castle.
Phantom Ship Overlook
Nestled against the shore, Crater Lakes "other island" resembles a small
sailboat, although it is as tall as a 16-story building. It’s made of
erosion-resistant lava, 400,000 years old – the oldest exposed rock within the
caldera.
Pinnacles Overlook
Colorful spires, 100 feet tall, are being eroded from the canyon wall. The
Pinnacles are "fossil fumaroles" where volcanic gases once rose up through a
layer of volcanic ash, cementing the ash into solid rock.
Vidae Falls
A spring-fed creek tumbles over a glacier-carved cliff and drops 100 feet
over a series of ledges. In summer, wildflowers flourish in the cascade’s spray.
Monday – July 11, 2016
Crater Lake National Park
Annie Creek Snow Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon
We’ve had a wonderful time exploring California, now our travels take us to
Oregon. We have been looking forward to visiting Crater Lake National Park. This
will be our first stop in Oregon.
We arrived at the Mazama Campground, located within Crater Lake National
Park, shortly after noon. The campground was full so we put "Plan B" into
effect: we set up camp at the Annie Creek Sno-Park.
The Sno-Park is located 10
miles south of the Annie Spring Entrance Station to Crater Lake National Park.
Camping at the Sno-Park is free. Free is Good! Potable water and a dump station
are available in Mazama Village.
Tomorrow another adventure begins.
Travel Details:
Departed: Tionesta, California
Departure Time: 9:30 A.M.
Arrived: Crater Lake National Park
Arrival Time: 12:25 P.M.
Campground: Annie Creek Sno-Park
Type: National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 42.76097
Longitude: W 122.05947
Elevation: 4,400 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Vault Toilets
Cellular Service: Verizon – None
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service
Total miles traveled today: 128
Route Traveled:
East on National Forest Road 97
North on CA-139
North on OR-39
West on OR-140
North on US-97
North on OR-62 to Crater Lake NP
Saturday – July 9, 2016
Lava Beds National Monument
Hawks Nest Campground
Tionesta, California
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
A cold front is forecast to hit the northern California region this weekend,
daytime temperatures will be into the low 60’s and into the high 30’s during the
night. We elected to move to the Hawks Nest RV and Cabins Campground, a private
campground. This campground will allow us to pamper ourselves with full
utilities hookups. Sharon was quite pleased with this move!
Tomorrow another adventure begins.
Travel Details:
Departed: Indian Well Campground
Departure Time: 9:45 A.M.
Arrived: Hawks Nest Campground
Arrival Time: 10:20 A.M.
Campground: Hawks Nest
Type: Commercial
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 41.64860
Longitude: W 121.28629
Elevation: 4,250 Feet
Camping Fee: $25.00 with Good Sam Discount
Campsite: North side of road
Campsite Hookups: Full – Electric, Water, Sewer
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Hot Showers, Trash Dumpster, Free WiFi,
Laundry Room
Total Campsites: 20
Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service
Total miles traveled today: 15
Route Traveled:
South on National Forest Road 10
East on National Forest Road 97
East on County Road 97A
Thursday – July 7, 2016
Lava Beds National Monument
Cave Exploring
Tulelake, California
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
Eruptions occurring 30,000-40,000 years ago formed over 700 tube caves found
in the park. Lava tubes form when streams of hot, flowing lava start to cool.
The center of the stream stays hot and continues to flow as the outside begins
to cool and harden. The hot lava drains out, leaving a pipe-like cave. Multiple
eruptions can stack caves on top of one another, creating multilevel caves. When
a lava tube ceiling collapses, it opens access to the cave.
Lava Beds National Monument does not attract a large number of visitors each
year, which translates into very little congestion while exploring the caves and
lava rock formations throughout the monument.
We spent today exploring some of the caves on Cave Loop Road. Well… actually
I explored some caves, Sharon had no desire to go into a cave. I must admit it
was a bit unnerving to be all alone in totally black darkness as I walked
further into the caves. I did have a small flashlight that I used to see where I
could walk on the uneven, rock-strewn, floor of the caves. Quite often I would
turn the flashlight off for a while, to experience the complete darkness and
total silence. I took pictures with the flash on my Nikon 510 camera. The
pictures clearly show the pipe-like features of these caves. Just imagine being
in these areas in total darkness!
Wednesday – July 6, 2016
Lava Beds National Monument
Tulelake, California
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
We were not thrilled with the campsite we had selected on Tuesday at the
Indian Well Campground, located within the Lava Beds National Monument. This
morning we selected another campsite that offered more privacy. We have decided
to extend our stay here through Sunday, so this new campsite will be our home
base while we explore the rich history of this enchanting area.
Lava Beds National Monument was established in 1925 to protect the volcanic
land, the numerous caves, and the history of its early human occupation by the
Modoc Indians. Within this northern region of California, 500,000 years ago, the
Earth opened, cracking and sputtering. It released liquid rock and rivers of
fire across the landscape. Intermittent eruptions over thousands of years
layered the land, leaving intricate caves, cones, craters, and black, jagged
blankets of lava.
The Modoc called this the land of "burnt-out fires." Tule Lake and Lava Beds
were then, and are today, the center of their world. The Modoc life and culture
was perfectly tuned to this environment and the richness of the resources it
provided. They lived in semi-permanent winter villages along Lost River and Tule
Lake. Each year as winter turned to spring, they began a seasonal round of
fishing, hunting, and gathering. Ragged and rough, the terrain of the lava flows
could be dangerous, but to the Modoc it was a sacred landscape. It provided
bounty in the hunt and challenged those seeking power and knowledge through
vision quests.
The Modoc and their ancestors lived in this rugged land for over 10,000
years. Following the rhythms of nature, they moved freely across the land until
they were forcibly removed. The blazing of the Applegate Trail through the heart
of the Modoc territory was the beginning of the end for the traditional Modoc
way of life. Increasing numbers of white settlers claimed ancestral Modoc land,
conflicts escalated, and both sides resorted to violent attacks. By the 1860’s
settlers demanded area tribes be moved to the Kalmath Reservation in Oregon. The
Modoc reluctantly signed a treaty, but consistently requested a reservation in
their homeland. Poo conditions and disagreements with other tribes on the
reservation convinced some Modoc to return home. Broken promises, bitter
resentments, and distrust made negotiations impossible.
The Modoc War began on November 29, 1872, when troops from Fort Kalmath tried
to force the resisting Modoc back to the reservation. They fled to the natural
fortress of the lava beds, to what today is called "Captain Jacks Stronghold."
In April 1873 peace talks began. A Modoc woman married to a white settler served
as an interpreter between the Modoc and the Army. Kientpoos (Captain Jack)
wanted his people to be allowed to stay in their homeland. He also wanted peace.
Modoc society ruled by consensus. Remembering the 1852 slaughter of 30 members
of their tribe, a majority voted to eliminate the peace commissioners. On April
11, 1873, peace commissioners General Edward Canby and Reverend Eleazar Thomas
were killed (the only general to have been killed in an Indian war). General
William Sherman soon called for the "utter extermination" of the Modoc.
For six months 1,000 troops and volunteers fought to capture fewer than 60
Modoc warriors and their families. Those who resisted were exiled to the Quapaw
Agency in Oklahoma. Kientpoos surrendered on June 1, 1873 and was later hanged
with three others.
Tuesday – July 5, 2016
Lava Beds National Monument
Indian Well Campground
Tulelake, California
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON
On this segment of our West Coast adventure our destination is Crater Lake
National Park in Oregon. Since the distance from Truckee, California to Crater
Lake is about 360 miles, we plan to do a one-night layover at the Indian Well
Campground in the Lava Beds National Monument near Tulelake, California. As we
entered the Lava Beds National Monument, we were intrigued by the surrounding
landscape filled with pitch black lava rocks.
After we got settled into our campsite, at the Indian Wells campground, we
checked the weather forecast for Crater Lake National Park. The forecast for the
coming weekend showed rain with daytime temperatures in the middle 50’s to low
60’s and nighttime temperatures in the high 30’s. We decide we will stay at the
Lava Beds National Monument through Sunday, where we will enjoy warmer
temperatures in the middle 70’s and sunny days.
Tomorrow another adventure begins.
Travel Details:
Departed: Truckee, California
Departure Time: 9:25 A.M.
Arrived: Tionesta, California
Arrival Time: 3:55 P.M.
Campground: Indian Well
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 41.71776
Longitude: W 121.50539
Elevation: 4,657 Feet
Camping Fee: $10.00 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: B21
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Water Spigots, Trash Dumpsters
Total Campsites: 40
Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service
Total miles traveled today: 252
Route Traveled:
North on CA-267
North on CA-89
North on CA-49
East on CA-70
North on US-395
North on CA-139
West on National Forest Road 97
North on National Forest Road 10 to Campground.
