Rogue River Gorge, Union Creek, OR

Since we started working in Oregon I had heard lots of talk about the raging Rogue River.  Most folks bowed slightly when it was mentioned.  Now we know why.  When the volcano (Mt. Mazama) exploded that created Crater Lake it made miles and miles of lava tubes.  As they have collapsed over time, gorges were created.  The Rogue River tears through a very narrow one about 15 miles from the NP.  Our friends, Susie and Mike from Medford, helped route us to the Gorge, one of their favorite places in the state.

The Gorge Trail starts beside the river as it exits the Gorge.  You walk up to the start of the Gorge climbing slightly all the way.  There are several overlooks and even some steps down the cliff for a closer look.  Here is the lower end.

The ferns, shrubs and drooping vines along the cliffs were so lush and set like a hanging garden.  You can see the surge coming down the gorge.

At this point the waters are beginning to cascade as the walls narrow.  We hurried along to see the falls at the top.  As we walked the sound of the water was multiplied by about 10.  The surge of power that came from the river pushed into the narrow tube just overwhelmed me.  Tears sprang to my eyes and I couldn't quit crying for about 5 mins.  I never have had such a surprising reaction.  The power and beauty grabbed me and would not let go!!!

The falls is not that steep, just so full of energy!   Truly amazing!!

Here's the Rogue River as it meanders toward the Gorge.  Pretty tame looking.  In fact, we had just driven along it and didn't know it was there.

The Rogue River Gorge is now very close to the top of My Most Fantastic Places list.  We were so lucky that Susie and Mike knew we couldn't miss it when we were so close by.  True friends!!

Canyons, Creeks and Vents

We took an easy little nature trail hike near our CG at Crater Lake.  What a surprise!  The trail bordered a canyon cut by a little creek in a mudslide area of the volcanic activity of Mt. Mazama, the source of the explosion.  The creek is down there somewhere!

  When Mt. Mazama exploded the mountain top sank into the crater to create the lake floor and some of the purest, clearest water in the world has been collecting there since.  Gas was forced to escape through side vents in the mud.  Over time the vents have separated from the canyon walls to form Pinnacles.  A most interesting rock form!

The mud flow was even more obvious as we continued to the other side of the trail.  Look at that little bit of a creek at the very bottom.  We did remember that in snow melt season the creeks around must really roar.  There was a picture of May 2. 2011at the Visitor Center with a road cut through 45 feet of snow and a 6 foot Ranger standing against it!  Absolutely amazing!

Crater Lake NP just seems like another world set down in the south west of Oregon.  We'd love to return to spend more time on the trails and volcanoes in the Park.  Our introduction made us so aware it is so much more than a big blue, blue lake!

Just Wandering in July

It is hard to believe that our first 2 months at Heceta Head and Washburne Campground have come and gone.  There was so much to do there under the supervision of Art and Janette that we could not keep up to their speed and efficiency, but it was fun trying.  On Friday, July 4 we made an incredible trip up the Umpqua river from Reedsport on the coast to just north of Crater Lake. To reach the Lake we passed Diamond Lake and the stark Pumice Desert and then began to climb the volcano rim.

 The anticipation of catching that first glimpse of Crater Lake was too exciting.  And --- it is blue, blue, blue!

The next morning we drove the 33 mile scenic drive around the lake stopping at many of the overlooks and landscape features.  In spite of the crowded parking area at Sun Notch, we took the trail for views of the Phantom Ship.

 The trail was long enough that we only met folks here and there except at the best photo ops.  We found a short path to the rim edge and could see more of the rock bridge that originally connected the island.  It was a neat spot for a photo of my best traveling' buddy too!

Neither of us had thought much about how interesting the volcanic evidence in the area would be.  So we were eager to do more exploring away from the Big Blue Lake also.  Stay tuned for pictures of the next hike on the next blog.