Crater Lake National Park

Day 11: Tuesday, July 9, 2019
We woke up around 6:30, really sleeping in for Sean and me! We did a quick breakfast and Sean did his tear-down tasks to close up the RV. We pulled out of the RV park by 8:30 am. We made great time and even with an hour-long gas/lunch stop we arrived at the Crater Lake Resort by 2 pm.




As Sean was setting up, some neighbors pulled in and they had kids!! What good fortune that we finally had a lovely Australian family with three young girls and that made for a great time the next two days. We spent the afternoon getting settled, the kids ran back and forth to the campground’s playground, and we took a walk on the nature path along the small river.




We had an easy dinner of shrimp pesto and pasta, crescent rolls, and more tomato mozzarella. Then the kids were ready to get back out and play with the neighbors—lots of running, playing games, and laughing! We started a campfire and sat around having drinks, roasting s’mores, trading stories, and hearing the coyotes howl. The neighbor friends came running to their parents asking for “torches” and next things we knew all the kids had headlamps on and were running around lighting up the dark. It was a great time and we let the kids stay up much later than usual (11:30 pm!), I guess that’s what vacation is for!!




Day 12: Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Despite the late night (even for me), I got up and out for a run by 6 am. I am loving that the temps are low enough that I can run a little later than I would at home and it helps to be out in the daylight too. I was very happy for this run because it was finally a flat road, yay!! I ran past several fields of cows and it was hilarious because the calves standing by the fence got startled by me running by, then the moms got into protective mode and then got scared themselves and both ran away from the fence and back into the field. I guess they are not used to many runners coming by their field!


We made it to Crater Lake visitor’s center right at 9 am when it opened and got the junior ranger books. We had chosen two hikes for the day—one up to an overlook and another down to the shore of the lake—so we set out to drive the rim road and get to our first destination.


We got to the Watchman Overlook that looks out at Wizard Island. Unfortunately, the trail we wanted to hike up to an even higher overlook was closed due to snow (still!) so we took in the views from the overlook area. The views were incredible and better than I could have imagined! The vibrant blue of the water was stunning and the pictures cannot do it justice. The history of Crater Lake’s formation from a volcanic eruption and it’s present existence as a lake that receives no water from outside sources makes it that much more awe-inspiring!







Next we continued along the rim road and got to the parking area for Cleetwood Cove. We knew it was a 1-mile hike down a steep trail to the only water access on the whole lake. There are times when boats run from that point to Wizard Island, but they have not started for the season (crazy that it is mid-July and the season had not started!). People can get down on the rocks on the shore and touch the water and even jump in and swim if they want to brave the chilly temps. We were greeted by several friendly (and greedy for snacks) ground squirrels and had fun watching them chase each other around for a potato chip. After that brief entertainment we took in the views and then found a spot to get close to the water. We took off our boots and socks and dipped toes then feet into the cold water. That’s as much as we managed, but we did see other people jumping in and swimming (very briefly!). We hung out by the water for a while, had a snack, then embarked on the upward climb. It was definitely a steep and strenuous return but we took a few breaks and Kinsey took the opportunity to make some drawings of the views from one view point. We got back up the top in under 30 minutes and we all agreed it was totally worth it. This was one of Sean’s most anticipated events of the trip and he was not disappointed!



















We continued along rim road looking for a picnic area and ended up at another lookout where we sat to have lunch and take in yet more amazing views. 


We thought we would continue along the road making the full loop around the lake, but a section was closed so we returned the same way we came. The kids had been working on their junior ranger books throughout the day so we got back to the visitor’s center and the kids were ready to turn in their books and receive their badges. Due to rangers being at a training on that day, they didn’t experience the normal pomp and circumstance of the junior ranger swearing in ceremony, but we’ve done it a time or two so we were all ok with that. We picked up a few souvenirs and then walked down to another overlook with a small set of exhibits before heading out of the park.




Back at the campground we spent the rest of the afternoon doing laundry and cleanup at the RV (the parents!) and running, playing, biking around the campground (the kids!). They had canoes that guests could take out on the river so Sean and Barrett went together and Kinsey and I went together. I have not canoed in many years and there were some low areas, overhanging trees, and logs in the water to navigate around so it was a little hairy at first—haha! We got to a good area and were able to cruise along and it was really nice and peaceful. We didn’t bring our phones with us so we have no photos of this excursion, but as I tell my kids, we have the mind movie of the experience stored in our brain 😊

Sean grilled up some chicken and we had that with leftover pasta and some mixed veggies—simple dinner makes mom happy! We let the kids play for a while after dinner, we walked up to the store for ice cream bars, and then we said goodbye to our new friends. We were all gearing up to depart early the next morning, so early to bed for everyone!

Tomorrow the adventure continues!



Crater Lake Highlights
BDG-touching the lake water
KPG-putting my feet in the water
EAG-seeing the vibrant blue water
SGG-putting my feet in the water

Location: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA

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