How about hiking the highest peak in Crater Lake National Park?…read more
We drove 15 miles from Rim Village around the East Rim, open July-September, of the park to Scotts Peak. Parking for about two dozen vehicles, at 9am.
Both the wife and I were equipped with hiking boots, hiking poles, hats, sun block, 40 ounces of water, and multiple fruit cups with utensils. No need for mosquito repellent, as temperatures too cold at night.
Lots of people wearing only running shoes, which can be painful if you hit your toes on rocks embedded in the trail. Ladies, you don't want blackened toes to ruin your pedicures!
The trailhead is right on the Rim Drive, at 7680' elevation. The first part of the trail is an open expanse through grassland, with a gradual rise in elevation. In and out of forests of mountain hemlock, west and southwest on the backside of the mountain, with Crater Lake hidden from view. Very little level areas, only unremitting climbing.
The trail becomes a series of switchbacks, with glimpses of Crater Lake as a sliver of dark blue, with reflections from the eastern walls of the volcano on the waters of the Lake visible 10 miles away.
Up we go, with the switchbacks ending and the trail leveling off onto a ridge leading to a fire lookout tower. The forests recede, and we are left with whitebark pines windblown and twisted in the difficult climate. Marmots and pikas hunt for food, while birds of prey circle overhead.
It take us 2 hours to reach the top, and another 90 minutes to reach the bottom, 4.4 miles overall, with a 1250 foot elevation gain. 8934' Scott's Peak. 84 degrees today, September 28. One week from now, rain and snow with temperatures in the 30s.
The wife beats me down by a good 25 minutes, with me taking pictures, and she making a beeline for the only restrooms in the area, at a picnic ground 500 feet down the road!