Son of Crater - Return to Oregon, Part 1 of 2, 10.9.18
Back in June as the snows were still receding from the high country we paid our first visit to beautiful Crater Lake in southern Oregon. At that time only about a third of the road around the rim was open due to deep snowpack but we had a great trip. In my trip report I had stated that I’d love to go back someday and perhaps climb some of the high points along the rim. Well a month or so ago I got a call from one of my dearest and oldest friends, Mike Kent, who suggested that we meet up there to do just that. After considering it for about a half a second a new adventure was in the works. I happened to mention it to another of my oldest and dearest friends, Harry Baumgardner, who excitedly jumped on board. So on October 9th, which just happened to be Harry’s birthday (also John Lennon, Jackson Brown and John (The Ox) Entwhistle), Bridgit and I hopped in the RV at 4:30AM and headed for Crater Lake. Mike, who is from Steamboat Springs, Colorado had been doing some mountain biking near Bend and Harry drove up from his home in Sacramento.
I had been faithfully watching the NOAA forecast and ten days out it had looked grim. Snow, rain, clouds and freezing temps had me considering whether we should even bother. You are really rolling the dice hoping for good weather going to the mountains in mid-October. However, as the 9th drew closer, the forecast began to change and it looked like the drive day would be a bit blustery but after that the weather was expected to start getting better each day. Mike had been biking with some friends, Tom and Chanel who suggested a national forest campground down below Crater Lake called Natural Bridge as a meeting place. Bridgit and I arrived around 1:30PM and there was only one other vehicle in the entire campground. We set up in a nice site right on the lovely Rogue River. Soon after Harry arrived followed by Mike.
The next morning we all got up and out by around 9AM and drove up to Rim Village in Harry’s truck. It was in the upper 20’s (brrr!!!) but we were prepared and dressed in mega layers. There were a few lingering clouds but overall the weather was beautiful. Harry had never been to Crater Lake so after we took in the views from the overlook by the Crater Lake Lodge we drove over to the Watchman parking lot.
A happy author with his best buds.
I had really hoped to climb the Watchman on our first trip but snow had covered a portion of the trail so it was closed off at that time. Now snow free, we bundled up with down jackets, long underwear, gloves and wool hats and braved the elements as we climbed the short trail to the 8,013’ summit.
The Watchman from the parking area on the rim
Along the way the air had been so cold that hoarfrost had accumulated on the trees, giving them a frocked Christmas tree look. Very beautiful.
Hoarfrost trees
The summit of the Watchman was only about 450’ above the road, but it felt like we were much higher and we had a commanding view of Crater Lake.
The team on top of the Watchman
Despite a few lingering clouds, we had great views both near and far.
Wizard Island far below us
Another spot I had scoped out to climb was Lao Rock. It had no trail but looked like an easy stroll from the roadside. Apparently I’m not the only one to have considered that. I had asked a ranger about it and she said due to so many people trampling up the hillside, Lao Rock was closed off.
Majestic Lao Rock
My beautiful and very happy wife
After descending the Watchman, we did a long leisurely drive all the way around the rim, stopping at most of the pullouts for oohing and aahing. I knew the afternoon sun would light up the Phantom Ship so we parked there and took the short loop hike to the spot where I had my first ever view of the lake back in June. What a great day and for Harry what a memorable birthday!