Crater Lake Or info

[happybaby]

This upcoming trip to see dd and s-i-l in Portland, we are planning on a weekend trip to the Crater Lake area in mid September.
We would be leaving Portland late Friday afternoon and get a room at the north entrance, explore Crater lake on Satuday, then head south.

Not sure if we should get a room at the south end of Crater Lake or go on to the Ashland area.

On Sunday, s-i-l would like to take us around Ashland. (He's been there on business and says its a neat little town)

Need info on what to do, not to miss, eats and dog friendly place to stay. A motel is fine.... Just a place to rest for the night, get up, eat and on the run exploring. I was looking at the Shilo Motels (dog friendly).

And what about Medford or Grants Pass? Even other areas as we head back north sometime Sunday.

Not definite on Crater Lake, but dd and s-i-l would like to go and since we are coming with decent weather for that area, she thought we should do it this trip.
Only thing is we will miss the Salmon Bake in DePoe Bay, OR.

 

[barndweller]

We've stayed at Shilo in Palm Springs. Very nice motel, large rooms, clean, good staff. As for Crater Lake, been there twice. We just spent our time having a picnic by the lodge and enjoying the view. The drive in and then back out is beautiful. Not difficult or time consuming. Sorry I can't offer any more than that.

 

[teepeeca]

If you are going to be in the Grants Pass area, you might want to visit the "Oregon Vortex". It is an area that "is not normal"---will play all kind of "tricks" on your mind and vision. I think to get to it, you take exit 40.

Tony

 

[sun starved Gayle]

You can hike down to the lake and swim, but it is a steep trail. Bring water, going back up is a series of switchbacks and it is not an easy climb. Not suitable for young children. I believe that is the only place where you can actually get near the water. The lake is not called "Crater" Lake for nothing!

That being said, the hike and swim were the highlights of our trip to Crater Lake. That is also where the boat tours of the lake take off from.

If you were interested in eating at Crater Lake Lodge, make reservations a head of time.

Ashland is famous for it Shakespeare Festival. You might want to go on line and get play tickets in advance if you were interested in attending a play. They sell out fast, and the festival is a big, big tourist draw.

Have a nice trip.

Gayle

 

[sue1947]

Just to clarify:
Dogs are not allowed on any of the trails in Crater Lake or most National Parks. They can be on leash in the parking lot. I've seen an awful lot of unhappy dogs stuck inside hot cars in National park parking lots. It would be alot kinder to your dog to leave it at home or find a nice kennel.
There is no lodging at the north entrance. The chain motels like the Shilo are in the population centers down on I-5 like Medford or Klamath Falls. Either of those is over an hour drive away. The lodging in the park is at the Crater Lake Lodge which would be worth a one night stay. It was redone about 10 years ago and is very nice; right on the lake with rocking chairs. However, I suspect dogs aren't allowed there.
Crater Lake is a reasonable day trip if you are based in Medford and then plan to spend the next day in Ashland.
In the 'don't miss' category: a play at the Shakespeare festival in Ashland and the drive around Crater Lake on Rim drive. The boat ride is nice if it is still running after Labor Day, but again, your dog can't go and it would be unhappy in a hot car while you are gone.

Sue

 

[easyrider]

Crater Lake is a prety boring place. Its beautiful, but to cold to swim in. The fishing is lousy. Depot Bay, Newport and Lincoln City are the places to be with lots of fun and activities.

 

[happybaby]

Thanks for the info "tuggers"

As far as hiking to the lake, , we'd never make it back up! We are too out of shape!!! DD even said she didn't want to hike it...... too strenuous. Now her husband, a different story ~~~~~A few weeks ago they took a hike up Mt Hood, which he enjoyed and she thought she was going to die!. They went from Timberline , 1/2 way up and she was exhausted and said a rough, difficult hike.

I know the water would be cold as is all water in the NW.

We've been to DePoe Bay, Lincoln City and Newport, so just thought something different this time. She even mentioned "Silver Falls" which I haven't checked into that yet. We've covered much around the Portland, Gorge and NW beaches, so looking for other options. Even did Seattle on a day trip.

We will probably go back to Lincoln City for a day "Chinnock Winds Casino" , donate some , and dh would like to sit at bar with a drink and watch the ocean.
And maybe venture on down to Newport again to the Local Seafood Restaurant.
If all falls thru, we will go to DePoe Bay for the Salmon Bake!!

Keep ideas coming!!! thanks

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Thanks for the info "tuggers"

As far as hiking to the lake, , we'd never make it back up! We are too out of shape!!! DD even said she didn't want to hike it...... too strenuous. Now her husband, a different story ~~~~~A few weeks ago they took a hike up Mt Hood, which he enjoyed and she thought she was going to die!. They went from Timberline , 1/2 way up and she was exhausted and said a rough, difficult hike.



People DO die every yearly climbing Mt. Hood. It's not a climb for the inexperienced.

Try "Tidal Raves" in Depoe Bay for good food and views. Make a reservation.
Moe's has several locations on the coast and has very good fish and chips. My favorite resturant in Lincoln City is Black Fish Cafe. No views, but never had a bad meal there. Reservations in the summer are a must.

Silver Falls is outside of Salem, very lovely, but can get very crowded in the summer weekends. The Oregon Gardens are very close by as well . Well worth the admission price if you are in the area. You will also pass by Oregon's most visited tourist location, displacing Multnomah Falls in the Columbia Gorge. It's the Woodburn Comapany Stores, a Factory outlet mall in Woodburn. Kind of sad huh? There are bus loads of Japanese tourist there. I have to guess the location right on I-5 has a lot to do with it's popularity, it is also huge, with a lot of selection if you are into outlet shopping.

Have a good trip.

Gayle

FYI
It's DEPOE, not Depot or DePoe. Also CHINOOK like the Indian tribe and the salmon species, not chinnock.

 

[happybaby]

DD did not actually climb Mt. Hood. They were on the trails, walking not climbing, for hiking. Sorry if I mislead anyone. DD said it was rough and I don't thing she'd do it again.

We've eaten at Mo's but didn't care for it that much. The clam chowder had our stomache churning. In Newport we ate at a local restaurant run by the fishermen's wives~~~~Local Ocean Seafoods~~~ very good. JMO.

Sorry about the mispelling of Depoe and Chinook. I know better, just got ahead of myself.

May do Silver Falls as a day trip, not that far of a drive from Portland. I will go and check the hours and other info now since we will be going the middle of September.

Thanks for the info "tuggers"

People DO die every yearly climbing Mt. Hood. It's not a climb for the inexperienced.

Try "Tidal Raves" in Depoe Bay for good food and views. Make a reservation.
Moe's has several locations on the coast and has very good fish and chips. My favorite resturant in Lincoln City is Black Fish Cafe. No views, but never had a bad meal there. Reservations in the summer are a must.

Have a good trip.

Gayle

FYI
It's DEPOE, not Depot or DePoe. Also CHINOOK like the Indian tribe and the salmon species, not chinnock.

 

[RDB]

...
We would be leaving Portland late Friday afternoon and get a room at the north entrance, explore Crater lake on Satuday, then head south.

....

Check out
http://www.diamondlake.net/lodging.html
for north of CL lodging. Read all the way down the page.