Road Trip to Oregon - Crater Lake and Fort Rock (Day 2)
Welcome to Day 2 of our road trip to Oregon! Today was a really busy day full of exploring. First, in the morning, we went to see the absolutely stunning Crater Lake. The views there were so breathtaking! And then, in the afternoon, we made our way over to Fort Rock, which turned out to be quite an interesting place to explore as well.
After a day filled with adventure, we made our way to Mt. Bachelor for our overnight stay. We decided to camp in the Kapka Butte Sno Park parking lot, which turned out to be a great choice.
Please read on for more about our day 2.
A little about Crater Lake and Fort Rock
Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon and is truly captivating with its deep blue waters. It was created over 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama erupted, forming a caldera that now holds the deepest lake in the United States. The park has so much to offer, with activities like hiking, camping, and boat tours, allowing visitors to fully experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Wizard Island and the stunning Cascade Mountains that surround the lake.
Not far away, you'll find Fort Rock, a volcanic landmark with special rock formations. It's a fascinating place that provides a glimpse into the lives of the area's early Native American inhabitants through archaeological discoveries. Together, these destinations make for an incredible journey through the wonders of nature and history in this part of Oregon.
The contrast in climate between Crater Lake and Fort Rock
Crater Lake has a special climate because of its high elevation and position in the Cascade Range. It's one of the snowiest spots in the United States, with around 44 feet of snowfall each year. The lake acts as a natural temperature controller, making the nearby areas cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. On the other hand, Fort Rock, which is in Oregon's High Desert region, has a much drier and hotter climate.
Our Experiences
Staying overnight at a rest stop to end day 1
We drove for about 8 hours from Mono Lake to reach the Crater Lake area. Finding a good dispersed campsite there was quite tough, as it's a popular tourist spot. So, we made a practical decision and went to the nearest rest stop (Beaver Marsh Rest Area). It was nice to have access to a public restroom and get some rest. Thankfully, we had a sleeping platform in our car, which made it more comfortable.
Unfortunately, the northern entrance of the park was closed at that time, so we had to take a longer route and enter through the southern entrance instead. Despite the detour, we were excited to finally explore Crater Lake and enjoy its beauty.
Here is a simple Google Map showing you the way to Crater Lake from where we spent the night.(through northern entrance).
Crater Lake - Crowded but Worth It
Once we drove up to the top of Crater Lake, we were greeted by quite a crowd. The view before us was unbelievable, and our eyes were amazed by the beauty of it all. Taking photos became a bit challenging as we had to navigate around other sightseers. But there wasn't much we could do about it, so we just focused on enjoying the stunning sight of Crater Lake and the awesome weather we were lucky to have that day.
There was still a lot of snow around, it was end of May, but we were prepared with our waterproof hiking shoes. It made walking around much easier and more enjoyable. Despite the road blockage and the extra time we spent driving, coming to Crater Lake was totally worth it. The experience was truly unforgettable, and we are glad we made the effort to be there.
Click on any photo below to see it in full size
Fort Rock - Quiet, Secluded, and Unique
In just about 2 hours, we went from a mountainous, forested region to a completely different flat, dry landscape. It was astonishing to witness such a dramatic contrast in geography and weather, and it was hard to believe it was the same day.
When we reached Fort Rock, we were the only ones there, and we took full advantage of the quiet and peaceful surroundings. It was a sharp contrast to the crowded Crater Lake. We soaked in everything around us, enjoying the tranquility.
The rock formations at Fort Rock revealed the layers of time, reminding us once again of the brevity of human life in the grand scheme of things. The wildflowers added drops of color to the scene, against the backdrop of the blue sky and low clouds. It made us feel as if time stood still, and we couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of life and nature.
Click on any photo below to see it in full size
Looking out towards the horizon from Fort Rock was also a beautiful sight.
Click on any photo below to see it in full size
As we were trying to climb up a rock towards the western end, we saw a sign that said it was the breeding season for eagles. The trail was closed to protect an eagle nest. It was a little disappointing because we couldn't explore further, but it was also incredible to know that these majestic creatures were nearby. It was such a special experience to be in their presence, even from a distance.
Wrapping Up the Day at Kapka Butte Sno Park
After we were done checking out Fort Rock, we decided to spend the night by camping at Kapka Butte Sno Park, which offers a great view of Mt. Bachelor. Though there's only one public restroom available, the large concrete lot provides plenty of space for overnight camping. Overall a great spot to get a night’s rest and highly recommend it if you’re into road tripping and dispersed camping. Just make sure to follow the park's rules and regulations and be respectful of the surroundings of course.
Next Destionation - Bend, Oregon
After having amazing experiences at Crater Lake and Fort Rock, we continued our road trip to Bend, Oregon on the 3rd day. It was just a short half-hour drive from Kapka Butte Sno Park, so we could start the day off with a relaxed and easy pace.
Visiting Bend was a pleasant change of pace after being surrounded by wild nature for a couple of days. We had a lot of fun exploring the city and enjoying its attractions. It was a nice break from our outdoor adventures.
Stay tuned for our next episode next week, where we'll share all the exciting things we did on our 3rd day in Bend!