Gorgeous Crater Lake
As we continue to drift south for the winter, we made a lake destination visit, which provided abundant natural beauty. We stopped in Chiloquin, Oregon near Crater Lake on a small family Resort called Agency Lake RV Resort. This small park caters mostly to hunters and fishermen. It was perfect for us too. We had a nice 10 day visit there and enjoyed some beautiful sightseeing.
Scenes from up and around Crater Lake.
Our parking spot was right on the shore of Agency Lake. It was a beautiful and peaceful spot.
There was an abundance of waterfowl, it was truly amazing the numbers of birds.
We rode up to Rim Village for a first visit. There we found beautiful stone facilities positioned at the crater rim for spectacular views of Crater Lake.
The Rim Village Cafe
View from Rim Village
Another nice visitor offered to take our picture, and did a fine job.
Steve observing The Old Man of Crater Lake through the binoculars. What is The Old Man of Crater Lake you ask?
The Old Man of the Lake is a 30-foot tall tree stump, most likely a hemlock, that has been bobbing vertically in Oregon's Crater Lake since at least 1896. It moves around the lake unpredictably, and with surprising speed during periods of high winds and waves. Around thirty feet of the tree's trunk can be seen below the waterline. The Old Man is in the picture below, can you find him?
He is marked in the same picture below.
Zoom in a bit...
A close up of the Old Man from Gari's better camera. A bird floats nearby.
Next stop to the east at the Phantom Ship Viewpoint at Sun Notch. It was a pretty little mile hike up to the rim from the parking area.
Steve at the Viewpoint.
The Phantom Ship is really an island, you can see trees growing on it when you look closely.
Gari loves the Phantom Ship and gives it the Heart symbol!
Can't stop looking at the blue water of Crater Lake...
If it weren't for the trees it would be hard to tell which way is up!
A few last looks...
Looking south from Sun Notch back at Agency Lake (first lake, where we are camped) then Klamath Lake farther to the south about 70 miles away (from Klamath Lake)
We found a rest stop for lunch. We could see the waterfalls from the road. We snacked from the tailgate of our truck.
Steve finished his lunch and is climbing in there to get a closer look. Do you see him? How about the falls, see them?
Next stop, Plaikni Falls Trailhead. This was a little 2.2 mile hike out to the waterfalls and back. Photo below along the trail.
Gari climbing up for a closer look at Plaikni Falls
Gari got a nice shot of Plaikni Falls.
Steve is happiest when he is eating a cookie on the trail. It's really not complicated.
The first day at Crater Lake ended with Steve finding a Lincoln!
Day two mission is to visit the Pinnacles and touch the water in Crater Lake. We got to the Pinnacles and they were everywhere! A very strange volcanic geological formation. Felt like we were on another planet.
More Pinnacles....
A tight grouping of Pinnacles set against a fir tree backdrop...
A long Pinnacle view...
Closer in...
Strangeness...
Next adventure on to Cleetwood Trail. This trail will take us down to the lake and is the only legal path to get to the water at Crater Lake. It is 1.1 mile down to the water ~750 feet below the rim. We started at 6,880 feet altitude, a little bit less air up there. puff, puff...
Looking down into the crater from the trail. As the trail switches back there is falling rock danger.
Seeing a couple switchbacks below.
Stopping for a hero shot
Saw a Man Tree sitting on a rock. We know it's not a Lady Tree, because she wouldn't sit like that.
Almost there, we can see the dock.
Right there, documentation please.
Gari's foot at waters edge. Yay, Mission Accomplished.
Gari in a nice memory shot on Crater Lake.
Steve tries the same pose...
Oh no, he's falling in!
Yep, soakers up to his knees.
Wringing his socks out and draining his boots for the mile slog back up the hill.
Gari touching the water in ladylike fashion, no falling in and all that!
A low shot across the crater before we go.
Last hero shots down at the water.
Alright, dig in, going back up!
A resting spot... is there a cookie?
Back on top of the rim, and headed back to camp after a good day of hiking. A departing shot of Wizard Island.
Nut pose.
Oh, you're not supposed to be up there, it's dangerous nut job!
Standing on the wall, looking at the Wizard.
Another magnificient view, can't look away!
Oh I see the steep dropoff now!
Just a little closer..
Tomorrow the Fish Hatchery.
Parking by the Fry Tanks
Steve loading up with fish food!
The Show Tank, fed by Artesian Spring Waters. Crystal clear and 49 degrees.
Feeding at the Show Tank.
Feeding Frenzy, Ducks incoming too!
Time to continue south.... Lake Tahoe next!
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