Around Bend

I do believe Crater Lake is what drew me to Oregon and how magnicent the moment was when I first laid eyes on that bright blue body of water, formed when Mt. Mazama erupted 7700 years ago.


We approached from the south side and could only tour the west side of the rim as the east side is still closed due to snow. This national park gets 533 inches of snow yearly and much has still not melted.


This is the deepest lake in the US and is unmatched in clarity. It is 6.02 miles across and 1943 feet deep at the deepest point in the caldera or belly of the erupted volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range. The lake filled with snow and rain over the years as no water source runs into it. After it had begun to fill Wizard Island erupted.


Long straight flat roads led us to Bend, the Truman Show in action. We went where we thought the visitor center was and found ourselves at my favorite shopping area ever, Old Mill. The city began as a lumber town with sawmills along the Deschutes River and the area has been transformed into a beautiful park-like setting with hiking and biking paths along the river and foot bridges that give access to both sides.




On the weekend people were floating the river in rafts, canoes, kayaks or on paddle boards. Others were staying on land to walk, jog, ride a bicycle or even a four wheeled bike. On a warm summer day it just felt like paradise. We chose to ride bikes and walk along with a little geocaching. I should have started at the top rather than climbing from the bottom on this one.


One of the highlights of the area is the Cascade Lakes drive that ascends into the Cascade Mountains, the tallest of which is Mt. Bachelor at 9,065 feet. It is a popular skiing destination. There are sno parks along the road and pullouts to view the many pristine lakes.


We drove down one washboard road for what seemed like forever but was probably only three miles looking for a campground but turned back and located Rock Creek, just off the road. It was a serene and picturesque spot for the night at a cost of $7. I am a little confused as to how the national forest service can provide and maintain these remote little camping spots in the forest, which are usually among my favorites, but they can't share with you how far off the main road you need to travel.



And the view from the campfire. A lovely evening in the Deschutes Forest.