Garfield Peak Trail, Crater Lake
I can’t believe that the summer is almost over. Nine weeks full of fun adventures have flown by way too fast. I’ve been busy visiting family and friends and have been too lazy with the blogging! Now it’s time to catch up on sharing my adventures and experiences I’ve made over the last two months. Already back in June we did this amazing hike and it was too good not post it here as a few more adventures that are yet to post. I hope my blogging friend Jo will be so kind to link this ramble to her beautiful series of Monday walks again. Check out her blog here. She has lots of beautiful photographs of a broad variety of things and places.
In June we went on a road trip to Northern California and Oregon and hiking the Garfield Peak Trail was definitely one of the highlights for me. Crater Lake leaves you in awe. It was formed 7,700 years ago, when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a towering volcano, Mount Mazama. The lake is fed by rain and snow, it is the deepest lake in the USA and maybe the most pristine on earth. Everyone stands in wonder at its blue water and stunning setting.
I hiked with my two daughters who are not necessarily hiking lovers, but they are always a good sport and accompany their mom. (Dad got to ride around the lake meanwhile.) And once we get going, the girls are actually enjoying it. I love hiking with them, exploring the beauty of nature together and have the time to chat in serenity. This hike was especially fun for them because we hit lots of snow and they could trudge through it, slide down on it and play with it.
You start right behind the Crater Lake Lodge and hike out and back for 3.3 miles with an elevation gain of 1,010 feet (308 m). Apparently the trail can be heavily trafficked, but we were lucky and didn’t meet a lot of people. The ranger actually said that you can’t hike all the way up because of the snow. The first few people we met coming back down told us that they hiked everything anyway and that the snow wasn’t that bad. So we did the same and got rewarded with spectacular views along the way and at the top, a nice chat with a young couple from Indiana and a snowman.
If you are ever going to Oregon, Crater Lake is an absolute must see! Pick a suitable hike or just drive around the rim and enjoy this incredible blue and this natural wonder. Check out the Reflections Visitor Guide for Crater Lake Summer 2016 and here you can find more details about the Garfield Peak trail. Happy hiking!
