Clearwater, Oregon

Drive to the overlook at Crater Lake well before sunrise. Actually, you should probably just sleep in your car for a bit to make sure you're not late for this incredible sight. Witness the changing colors and light as the sun creeps over the east side of the lake, throwing shadows and reflections...

I forgot how large Crater Lake was. Wikipedia said it was only 6 miles in diameter, multiply X 3.14 or C = πd and boom its only 18.84 miles around, that's cake, or pie. Imaging a NASCAR track with a pond in the middle.WRONG, hindsight being 20/20, dramatic landscape rarely equates to flat, cycle ...

Starting at the Rim Village parking area, this snowshoe/cross-country ski trip (whichever you choose) heads out on snow-covered West Rim Drive, bound for the saddle between Hillman Peak and The Watchman, overlooking Wizard Island. The path is not terribly steep (this is, after all, a drivable roa...

The beginning of this trail starts at the parking lot of Salt Creek Falls, right off of the 58 freeway. During the winter months, there's a gate blocking the road to the parking lot. You can park at the gate and it's a 0.6 mile walk to the beginning of the Salt Creek Falls trailhead. If you haven...

Crater Lake is one of the most visited natural wonders in the U.S. Anyone who has gone will tell you, it strikes a magic chord. Where there was once the volcanic Mount Mazama, now sits the deepest lake in the States. It's brilliant blue color and incredible depth of clarity leaves visitors from a...

Located off of the 58 Freeway, Salt Creek Falls is the second tallest waterfall in Oregon. The powerful cascade pours into a scenic canyon below, with beautiful surrounding views. You can drive almost right up to the falls, which is either great or anti-climactic, depending on your outlook. Turn...

This is a great and relatively easy winter overnight trip for cross-country skiiers and snowshoers alike into the crest of the Oregon Cascades. The route offers tremendous views of Diamond Peak, Willamette Pass, and the western Oregon Cascades. While it can be done in a day, take advantage of th...

Trestle Creek Falls Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Dorena, Oregon.

Diamond View Lake is relatively unknown compared to many of the other lakes in the Oregon Cascades, yet the views it delivers of Diamond Peak are top-notch. While it can also be done as a summer backpack, winter brings out the best aspects of the scenery - low-angle light on Diamond Peak, long n...

Start your adventure behind the Steel Visitor Center, halfway between the Mazama Village entrance of Crater Lake National Park and the lake itself. It won't take long before you stumble upon the mystery that is the Lady of the Woods: a dazzling, intricate sculpted rock that experts are unsure whe...

The trailhead is located across Highway 62, on the opposite side of the highway from the Crater Lake National Park entrance at Mazama Village. Look for a road sign indicating parking for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).Start on the PCT: Highway 140 to Highway 138 (near Cascade Crest), hiking severa...

Sun Notch Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Crater Lake, Oregon.

The trip to Midnight Lake is a great way to spend a winter day and explore an otherwise overlooked lake in the central Oregon Cascades. Although the lake does see winter visitors, it is often  empty and very few people bother to hike to the far end of the lake. The route to the lake is through be...

This spot in central Oregon is a beautiful, natural lake where you can combine a nice hike with an afternoon of fishing. There are opportunities for multiple hikes surrounding the lake that are moderately challenging hikes and also remain scenic throughout the 10 mile trek around the lake. Relax...

The summit of Mount Scott is supposedly the only place where you can fit all of Crater Lake in one camera view! It's the tenth highest peak in the Oregon Cascades, but with it's well-maintained trails and gradual inclines, the hike can be great for families, too.There can be snow near the summit ...

Starting on the Crater Lake East Rim Drive near the Phantom Ship Overlook, take the Pinnacles Road 1.2 miles until you see the Plaikni Falls trailhead on your left.The Plaikni Falls trail is an easy 2.0 mile roundtrip hike through an old-growth forest to a waterfall.The first 3/4 of the trail is ...