Road Trip Advice around Crater Lake, OR

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/09/2009 06:21:15 PM · #1

Tomorrow I'm headed out from Eugene to meet up with my parents and stay a few nights in Klamath Falls, Oregon. My mother is on strike for this trip and said to my Dad and I that we're in charge of all planning. Mom's plan is to play dumb and just stare at pretty stuff outside while Dad and I argue where the heck we're going, heh.

When people post these threads there usually isn't enough info, so here's everything I have to work with...

Dad
Falconer/photographer, loves being in the wilderness, but has a bum knee so no tough hiking.
Mom
Likes exploring small towns and little local shops. Can't stay still too long, must go, go, go.
Boyfriend
Just likes to see cool stuff. Perfectly happy sitting in the hotel watching tv though.
Myself
My main directive is to get awesome photos and keep everyone happy.

So far the plan is to meet in Klamath Falls in the late afternoon (4-5) on Monday. We stay Monday night and Tuesday night, then drive out Wednesday. I'll likely be coming in on hwy 138 (yea, it's smokey right now, but currently open), parents will come down on hwy 97 from Washington. They'll leave the same way they came, but I was thinking about leaving on hwy 97 also and then cutting back over to Eugene on hwy 126 just so we don't drive the same road twice.

On the way up Monday I was thinking of stopping at Toketee Falls with my boyfriend for some photos and some sandwiches from the cooler.

Crater Lake points to hit
The Watchman - Drivable
Sinnott Memorial Overlook - Drivable
The Pinnacles - Drivable (I want to hit this in the late afternoon so there's some shadows)
Castle Crest Wildflower Garden - Short easy hike
Discovery Point - Short easy hike
Is there anything really exciting on the East side other than the Pinnacles? I'm thinking I could skip that side if we're running short on time.

Some gaps I know need filled
Cool stuff locally in Klamath Falls: Early morning wildlife stuff?
Cool stuff on hwy 138?
Cool stuff on hwy 97 between Klamath Falls and Bend?
Anything else I'm missing that's a must see?

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

08/09/2009 06:29:23 PM · #2

Someday there will be a website where you can just feed in all those facts & criteria and it will spit out an itinerary for you. :D

In the meantime, I would expect a good reply from

DrAchoo....

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/09/2009 06:39:38 PM · #3

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Someday there will be a website where you can just feed in all those facts & criteria and it will spit out an itinerary for you. :D

In the meantime, I would expect a good reply from DrAchoo....

As sweet as that would be, I think I'd still come to real people for advice. Most of the websites I've looked at over the last few days tell me the same key points of interest, but I know there has to be other stuff out there known by locals and others that have been there with time to explore a little.

I actually already messaged Jason after I posted the thread, but we're having some really nice weather here right now, and he's likely out enjoying himself too.

Message edited by author 2009-08-09 18:40:12.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

08/09/2009 07:48:49 PM · #4

Here I am! :)

My only trip to Crater Lake was a bit of a disaster. I stayed in Klamath Falls like you, but we went in May. First, we forgot my camera. Doh! All we had was our very old 3MP Canon S10. Second, it was May. That's should be nice, right? :) Wrong.

Crater Lake Visitor Center Parking Lot:

Anyway, the rim road was only open for like a mile in each direction. It was still fun, but I can't give lots of pointers of where to go and hike.

One place to think about is Lava Beds National Monument which is about an hour south of Klamath Falls and just into California. You'd get to it on Highway 39/139. We enjoyed a day there and it was picturesque in a quite different way.

The drive from Klamath to Bend is pretty desolate and I can't find too much to get you excited about. Toketee Falls is in the general area but the path has been out for almost two years after a storm and is closed. I have not been, but my Oregon books mention Lava River Cave (a lava tube), and Newberry Caldera as attractions on the way. You might have to do some research though as I have no idea if they are worth visiting or strenuous to hike.

Have a great time! Hope this is helpful.

Message edited by author 2009-08-09 19:49:19.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

08/09/2009 08:33:45 PM · #5

Thanks, Jason! That was certainly helpful, especially since I didn't know that Toketee Falls was closed. That's a huge disappointment, but it would have been worse if we tried to go and couldn't.

As for around Bend another place I saw was Paulina Creek Falls, which is in the Newberry area. Maybe I'll see some bears, woo!

thompp1

Nikon D500

08/10/2009 01:13:05 AM · #6

Smith Rocks State Park, at Terrebonne, just north of the 126-97 junction is well worth visiting, as is Lava Lands, which is north of La Pine, south of Bend, on the left as you go north. Iâ��ve been in the lava cave, and the kids really liked it, but there arenâ��t many photo opportunities. If you go into the cave, be sure to take a warm jacket and a really good light. The Deschutes River runs along highway 97, slightly to the east, and has a lot of scenic areas. To get the view of Paulina Creek Falls that is shown in the link will require a little hiking, but there is an overlook to the right of the falls that offers a fairly good view.

If you are interested in waterfalls, try Silver Falls State Park, east of Salem on another trip.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

08/10/2009 02:56:20 AM · #7

Originally posted by thompp1:

How much is "a little hiking" for the Paulina Creek Falls base? Pops can probably take a little beating as long as we take it slow. The more I look at going up hwy 97 the more I hate it, heh. I really don't like dry desert and it'll definitely be dry and hot right now, that's why I was leaning towards waterfalls. Maybe we can just stop along the Deschutes River and soak our tootsies for a bit.

I went to Silver Falls a few years back, and even though it wasn't prime season it was still really pretty. The trails were awesome. I have 0 of my photos from that trip for some reason, so I do need to go back!

thompp1

Nikon D500

08/11/2009 01:46:48 AM · #8

A little hike, in this case, is around a quarter mile.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

08/13/2009 12:36:01 AM · #9

Originally posted by thompp1:

A little hike, in this case, is around a quarter mile.

We did end up going down to the bottom of the falls, and it wasn't too bad at all. Overall, the trip was good, but I will tell you this; it's mosquito season!

...now to process and see if I have any good shots.

JerseyGenie

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

08/13/2009 01:22:31 PM · #10

I hope you got some amazing shots. Personally I thought Crater Lake was one of the most photogenic national parks around.