Rivers, waterfalls and…Crater Lake National Park
Heading North again from Lassen Peak we traveled about 240 miles along Rivers and streams through the Cascades range to our destination of Crater Lake National Park, hoping that it would be cleared enough of snow to enjoy some views.
The area around the small town of Prospect, Oregon, where we stayed at Crater Lake RV Park for 3 nights, surprised us with some wonderful trails in the Prospect State Scenic Viewpoint area of the Rogue river and its tributaries.
Pearsony Falls trail was a quiet secluded walk from the town down a trail which soon ran along the tree lined creek, a rushing torrent of water tumbling down multiple outcroppings of boulders covered in moss, and spilling over a short but gorgeous falls.
Mill Creek Drive Bridge crossed over the Rogue River here providing stunning views into the distance to Mt. McLoughlin. The river was running high and fast below us. Near the bridge is the trailhead to Mill and Barr Creek Falls, a short hike to views of dramatic waterfalls. All different kinds of trees towered overhead along the path.
Avenue of Giant Boulders was an unusual trail that led to the area below the bridge that we had been on earlier. The last part of the trail led between giant moss covered boulders to the edge of the river. Because of the abundance of volcanic activity in the area we are learning all about geology along the way. Below is a brief summary of the Giant Boulders.
“The Avenue of the Boulders provides visual information as to the power of volcanic eruptions and the strength of water flows. These boulders were thrown all the way from Mt. Mazama- more than 20 miles distant – when it erupted 7,700 years ago and created the caldera now known as Crater Lake.
This section of the upper Rogue River is relatively flat and gentle above here, then crosses under the Mill Creek Drive Bridge (what was at one time a covered bridge), and drops rapidly into the Gorge. The view from the bridge encompasses the Rogue’s roaring waters (in spring) with Mt. McLoughlin in the distance. A trail north of the river is a view from a 100-foot-tall cliff. Trails south of the bridge wind you down into the boulders. Viewing old photos – available at the Prospect Historic Hotel (just 1/4 mile away), one can see the impact of the power of the Rogue River. Several huge boulders that are in the historic photos have moved a considerable distance downstream.” - National Geographic
The next day we headed out to our visit of Crater Lake National Park, with some sights along the way.
Our first stop was Natural Bridge.
This unusual feature was formed by lava tubes and now the Rogue River runs through portions of the lava tube, appearing to come out of the rock. The river was running high, so high that the water was going over the natural bridge as well as through it.
Rogue Gorge provided a short walk along the Rogue River. From the trailhead we followed the river to an area where the course of the river gets more and more narrow in the area known as the chasm.
The Rogue River has formed this 500 feet long chasm as it has cut down through the volcanic rock which flowed out of the Mt. Mazama eruption. At one point the Gorge narrows to a width of 25 feet from the viewing platform's edge
to the opposite wall, and it drops 45 feet to the river.
The sound of the powerful river of water below is unbelievable as it rushes downstream.
Crater Lake National Park
Of course this Park is known for its spectacular Crater, now filled with sparkling blue waters.
While the rim drive had not been fully cleared of its winter blanket of snow, the Rim Village area was sufficiently clear to enjoy some spectacular views out over the lake to Wizard Island and the snow covered banks of the far side of the crater. Steve and I decided that this was a place to just slow down and enjoy a picnic lunch at this one of a kind sight!
Of course we savored our time exploring the Crater Lake Area and we look forward to you joining us for our next blog with Oregon Part 2 for more Adventures on the Road - with Steve and Lori!
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