We set off on Saturday morning, driving just over four hours via 5-S and 58-E. The latter route becomes particularly scenic as the road winds upwards steadily through the Umpqua National Forest. The trees here never cease to amaze me.
Nestled within conifer trees of the Cascade Mountain Range, Diamond Lake sits at 5,183'. The high alpine lake is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts year-round. It is a favorite summer spot for fishing, boating, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding, while winter activities include skiing/snowboarding, tubing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
Situated next to the large campground, Diamond Lake Resort has evolved from a small fishing lodge built in the 1920s. After grabbing a bite to eat at the lodge, Tom and I rented kayaks, captivated by the breathtaking views of Mt. Bailey and Mt. Thielsen. I felt at peace to be surrounded by nature--my happy place.
Afterwards, Tom and I strolled along the 11-mile trail surrounding the lake until pesky mosquitos prompted a swift return. Having worked up an appetite, we enjoyed pizza, "spuds" and beer at South Shore Pizza before retiring to our humble, cottage-style studio.
The next morning, Tom and I drove 40 minutes south to Crater Lake National Park. Native Americans witnessed its formation 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of Mt. Mazama into a caldera. The volcano continued to have smaller eruptions, which sealed the caldera floor and created a cinder cone named Wizard Island. Rain and snow melt gradually filled the caldera, forming Crater Lake (a misnomer). Today, evaporation and precipitation balance out so that the water level fluctuates less than three feet every year. The deepest lake in the U.S. (nearly 2,000') has some of the clearest water in the world.
Though open year-round, the advantage of visiting the park early in the summer is to avoid the wildfire haze. The tradeoff, however, is residual snow closures (Rim Village elevation: 7,100'). During our visit, much of the 33-mile Rim Drive and most hikes had yet to open for the season. Still, we took in the unforgettable view from two short hikes and several lookouts along West Rim Drive (i.e., Discovery Point, Watchman Overlook).
Garfield Peak is a 3.6-mile climb (1,010' gain) rewarded with panoramic views. The quiet morning evaded crowds and clouds, producing a mirror effect on the still waters of the lake.
Sun Notch Trail is an easy 0.8-mile loop with views of Phantom Ship--a remnant of the Mazama's ancient skeleton that was exposed by the collapse. The pristine blue water became more intense as the day wore on, and the afternoon clouds added dimension. Crowds and mosquitos also emerged!
Crater Lake is one of the more magnificent places that I've visited. I look forward to returning in late summer to hike Mt. Scott (the park's highest peak) and to take a boat tour... and maybe dip in the lake!
Rather than return to Portland on the most direct route, Tom suggested a scenic detour through Bend. This spontaneous decision via 97-N to 26-W only added 45 minutes to the trip. It was a fine opportunity to challenge my "East-Coast" mentality to rush at life, focusing instead on the journey vs. the destination. We stopped for fuel at Bend Brewing Company (#22), providing my first taste of the central Oregon high desert. What a fantastic start to summer!
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| Trip date: 6/30/19 |
