Crater Lake – Oregon

September 10, 2019 TechTrekDan

August 16th, 2019

I woke up after spending the night at a motel in Redding, CA. I was getting ready, loading my car, and thinking of the wonderful time I had in the Bay Area the day before. What a blast we had.

I get going, stop for gas, and head up I-5N towards Crater Lake, Oregon. Many people had suggested I stop there. I said why not.

I drive for a while going up through the mountains, around bends, switchbacks, and through valleys. The view that came next absolutely blew me away. As I go up the highway, I come around a curve and through the opening I see this 14,000 foot high beast…

Mt Shasta

Taken from Bunny Flat parking lot, 7,000 feet up the mountain

I just had to exit, and go see this monstrosity up close. Many mountaineers were preparing to climb this as I was next to their campsite.

I get back in my car, and head back to the highway. I continue for a while, exit onto a state route, and make my way over to Crater Lake. I see lodge parking is to the right, so I went left as I saw many cars simply parking on the side of the road.

I park, get out, walk over to the edge and see this…

….the bluest water ever.

I immediately go back to the car, get my hiking boots on, grab my day pack, load it with water, and start hiking the Rim Trail.

I soon learned that was serving as the PCT Trail being that the actual PCT was closed due to mountain lions lurking around on the trail. One of them went through my friend Jennifer and her groups campsite just a few days prior. A female camper was in her tent, and heard an animal approaching. She felt it lay down next to her tent. She could feel its body heat against her head. She said after a bit, the lion got up and made its way past her tent. She got the courage to peek out a crack in the door and saw its tail go by. They later confirmed it paw prints on the trail and reported it to Park Rangers whom immediately closed that section of the PCT down.

I stopped here and there to capture these ultra glamourous views.

I take note of the highest peak, the first one seen here. I notice the Watchtower on top. I decided, in true summit fever fashion, that I was going there and back on this hike.

In the image above, you can see a boat crossing the lake. From what I learned, you can pay to take a ride, and even get on Wizard Island and hike. You can also hike 1.5 miles down, and get your feet in the ice cold lake.

In the above photo, take note of the aqua blue lagoon looking water near the edges. So beautiful!!

I turn around and see this mountain range behind me.

I meet these two older men, and share a short conversation with them. As I turn to continue on, I see two females approaching.

The one in front had such a pleasant smile, and expressed happy greetings. We immediately struck up conversation about the trail. I learn that she and her friend are hiking the whole PCT, but dropped their packs at the lodge, and simply doing a long day hike.

Their trail names were Squirrel (France), and Breaking News (Belgium). Squirrel got her name due to the fact she couldn’t pronounce it correctly. Breaking News got her name, well… you can figure that out. HA!

After this photo, we exchanged goodbyes as they were going a few miles further, and I was headed up the Watchtower trail.

I head up the trail, go through many elevated switchbacks, and come to the steps leading to the Watchtower.

The views were priceless…

You see Rim Drive. It goes the whole way around and very scenic I heard. As does the Rim Trail.

I take a short break with some other PCT hikers up top, and head down.

On my way back, I ran into a deer and her fawn.

I stop and speak to the deer. They stood by and listened. I then decide to keep moving as time was expiring, and I needed to get back to my car and up to Bend, Oregon before nightfall. I had to find a place to camp.

I then go to turn a corner, and coming from the opposite direction, was another PCT hiker. She goes by the trail name Mockingbird (Germany). We had a fun conversation, and then went our ways.

I continue on, and catch one last view.

After this photo, I put my phone away, and kicked it in gear.

I met a few more PCT hikers, and some other tourists. The list goes on.

I then get back to my car, and start loading up. I change shoes, and yet one more PCT hiker approaches me. She went by the name Crazy Burrito (Denmark). Apparently, burritos and her don’t agree.