The Cleetwood Cove trail at Crater Lake National Park, the only access to the lake itself, will be closed after this summer for construction of a new trail, so it's imperative that I get in a swim before I can't. So last week I drove to the park for a hike up Garfield Peak, followed by that cherished swim in the bluest water on the planet.
I arrived at the park entrance before 10:00 and drove in light traffic to the Rim Village, parked close to the trailhead, and started up Garfield Peak. It was a good hike, uphill but not too strenuous, with stunning views of the lake.
I had one difficulty when I missed the path for avoiding a big snowfield over the trail and tried to walk on the steep hillside below the snow. But this was surely wrong! I did slip, but just onto my knee, not down the mountain. At the top I marveled at the view of the gorgeous royal-blue lake with snow still packed into each gully lakeside. Swimming would be fantastic!
I had one difficulty when I missed the path for avoiding a big snowfield over the trail and tried to walk on the steep hillside below the snow. But this was surely wrong! I did slip, but just onto my knee, not down the mountain. At the top I marveled at the view of the gorgeous royal-blue lake with snow still packed into each gully lakeside. Swimming would be fantastic!
I was back at my car by noon. I pulled out of my parking place and headed around the lake.
Big mistake.
By now the park was crawling with cars. At Cleetwood Cove the parking lot was full, cars were parked half a mile down the road, east and west of the trailhead, on both sides of the road. Hordes of people were walking towards the trail. It was a zoo. I didn't want to join it.
The best thing, I thought, would be to go back to the Rim Village and take the trolley around the lake. I could disembark at Cleetwood Cove, walk down the trail to the lake, ignore the masses, take my swim, and catch the next trolley back to my car. (I have learned since that this can't be done.)
It was a bad plan, anyway. The Rim Village was even more of a circus that Cleetwood Cove. I joined a long line of drivers driving around and around, hoping someone would vacate a parking place just as they were going by. It was madness. I gave up on my swim and headed out of the park.
Things were slightly calmer at the Visitor's Center, where I was lucky enough to find a parking place. Then I took the Castle Crest Wildflower Trail,
an easy one-mile loop through meadows of large red Lewis's monkeyflowers, purple lupine, and yellow groundsel. Water flowed over flat stones on the path. It was a beautiful little hike, with few other hikers.
an easy one-mile loop through meadows of large red Lewis's monkeyflowers, purple lupine, and yellow groundsel. Water flowed over flat stones on the path. It was a beautiful little hike, with few other hikers.
Then I left the park.
It was earlier than planned, so I stopped at Mill Creek Falls and took the trail to the falls, which I had never done. The water fell in thunderous long plunges and were very beautiful, as reputed.
Then I walked further down the trail to the river's edge, where I found a small eddy in the roiling river. I took off my shoes and soaked my feet and my face in the cold water.
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A photographer kept me from getting to the cliff's edge. |
Then I walked further down the trail to the river's edge, where I found a small eddy in the roiling river. I took off my shoes and soaked my feet and my face in the cold water.
At last and at least.
I still owe myself a swim in Crater Lake.