2013.9.18-20. Central Oregon road trip.

9/18, Wednesday, we started at Nike's headquarter. However, when I went to inquire at the front desk, I was told that this is a closed campus, and we had to leave. As I was only able to find a parking spot far away from the main entrance, just walking there gave me a glimpse of the manicured campus. Nice trails everywhere, a lovely lake, evenly trimmed trees bordering the parking rows in a park-like setting.

Crater Lake National Park is about 4 hours away straight. After checking into a motel, we headed into the park at around 3:30pm. The lake is as blue as I remembered. This time, we didn't hike down to the shore. Instead, we just drove around the rim and took pictures. We ate dinner while waiting for the sunset on the eastern rim. Pretty enough, but just like any other lake, because the deep blue color doesn't show at sunset. I like the lake better under blue sky and direct sun.

The next day, 9/19, we entered the park in dark. Hiked up Watchman Peak lookout to wait for the sunrise. Cold. As you can see in the photo, dad has a hotel blanket on. For other hikes in the park, check out this PDF.

After our breakfast at hotel, we headed north towards Bend, detoured to Newberry national monument. Our first stop is Paulina peak via a not-very-good gravel road. Great view: 2 Paulina lake, a large obsidian flow, mountains far and close. We later walked at the edge of the flow, appreciated how tall the flow was and how shiny the obsidian rocks are. Had lunch next to one of the lakes before returning to the main road.

Next, we visited Lava River Cave, a mile-long lava tube. Had to borrow a kerosene lamp for $5. It's pretty big. Not as wet as I thought. Then we drove up a lava dome, which needs a timed access pass, or you could walk up. Since it's after labor day and during the week, the pass is easily available. Not bad view up there.

We bought dinner in Bend and ate at Smith Rock state park waiting for the sunset. Plenty picnic tables. A $5 day use fee, or $30/annual, 50/2-year.

The next day, 9/20, dad and I hiked the Misery Ridge Loop. It goes up into the rocks, scales the summit with great views of the surrounding area, follows the ridge to Monkey Face, and all the way down to the river. Lastly a flat walk along the river. Very pleasant. Less than 4 miles. Highly recommended. It also allows us to walk close to all these climbers, and "sky walker" between two peaks (see the last image). Fun to watch what they do. An online trail map is available in PDF.

2013.9.8. Indian Heaven

Partly sunny Sunday. Indian Heaven wilderness area may be even better in a week or 2, as more berries are ripening and the leaves are expected to turn red soon. Right now, already plenty to pick from. Huckleberry bushes started from the trailhead (also beargrass) and endless. Many swampy meadows and lakes. Quite pretty. Must be a mosquito heaven a month earlier. Easy grade. Wooded. No view of the mountains at all the lakes we walked by.

Starting from the East Crater TH, #48 to Junction Lake (~2 miles). Then onto #179 and followed it past Lemei Lake to Cultus Lake (~2 miles), where we stopped for lunch at a nice camp site by the lake. From here we followed #34 as it climbs (~1.5 miles) past Lemei Rock to a clear view of Mt Adams over Lake Wapiki (a few hundred feet below us, very pretty). Retraced our steps back downhill past Cultus Lake and follow #33 to the PCT, passing Clear (big, David and Dara went for a swim), Deer (a small sandy beach with camping area), and Bear Lakes as we made our way back to Junction Lake and back to our cars. Stopped at Carson's Backwoods Brewing for beer and pizza. I had tumbler and salad. The beer is 10% alcohol, but doesn't taste as strong or bitter. Salad is decent, but the salmon on top is was tiny and cold.

~11 miles, 1500' gain. 12 people (4M 8F), 4 cars. It happened that all 3 people whose names start with Z sat in one car. Zack, the hiker organizer today knows quite a bit about the area and where to camp and hike. Encounter about a dozen other hikers/backpackers and 1 dog. After a week of rain, mushrooms are mushrooming. I picked some to take home.

2013.9.1. Neahkahnie Mountain Loop

Neahkahnie Mt loop is a sweet little hike for great view. Indian named it Ne (“place of”) and Ekahni (“supreme deity”). We parked in a pull out on the road, half way between Tillamook and Seaside (0.2 miles south of milepost 40). There's a trail sign, going switch back among thimbleberries (no berries). 400' till the top at 1600'. The last 100' is steep. View is excellent, especially considering the short effort: only about 50 minutes. Coming down to the other side on a gravel road, and then walking along hwy 101 back to the car. Total distance is shy of 6 miles.

On the way back, we stopped by Hug Point (Keith's suggestion), to enjoy the beach. I took my shoes off and walk north (wade through water) to another small beach. A family was cooking, and camping there, where a small stream running down to the beach. Quite lovely.

Again Keith suggested stoppy by Cannon Beach for food. I'm glad that we couldn't find a parking spot, so we came back early.

8 people 2 cars today.