Crystalwood Lodge Blog and News » Hiking and Walking Trails

Making the Most of Your Visit to the Crater Lake Area

Liz — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:25:03 +0000

It’s been really great to see guests getting into the spirit of things here at the Lodge these past few weeks! Guests are really loving the informal and relaxing atmosphere of the Lodge and have been enthusiastically taking in tons of area activities. I’ve had a guest go for an early morning run with her dogs on the Crystalwood property, a toddler playing with his new plastic golf set on the front lawn, people basking in the sunshine pretending to read and families playing games in our livingroom.

Many guests come to this area to see Crater Lake and, after driving around the rim and doing some hiking, ask me “What else is there to do around here?” Our local newspaper, Now that I’m Here, was created for that very purpose and can be downloaded on our website (www.crystalwoodlodge.com) It has tons of information on other things to do in this area and a great map in the center

Here are a few ideas on how you can make your trip down to the Crater Lake area the best it can be:

1. Relax! Get a blanket and lay own in our poplar grove, sit in the sunshine with a book, play a game, try your hand at fishing or watch the sunset with a glass of wine in your hand…

2. Come prepared. Lately our commerical refrigerator has been filled with guest food! People have enjoyed “playing chef” in the kitchen — baking biscuits for their breakfast, cooking on the stove or using our outdoor bbq for kabobs and steaks.

3. Go for a hike. There are tons of hiking opportunities nearby the Lodge. The Cherry Creek and Nannie Creek trails offer peaceful paths and wonderful views! The Lodge has additonal information of hiking trails in the area. Be sure to take some time to explore the Crystalwood property as well – we have 130 acres of property filled with several miles of easy walking trails.

4. Take a canoe out. The trip down Crystal Creek is beautiful, peaceful and nature-filled —particularly great for birders.

5. Check out some of the local museums and events. Now that I’m Here has a calender of events and directions on how to get to the Fort Klamath Museum, Collier State Park Logging Museum or the Train Mountain Miniature Railroad.

For more information on staying at the Crystalwood Lodge or local events feel free to check out our website at www.crystalwoodlodge.com

Still have questions?

Phone: 541/866.381.2322

Email: reservations @crystalwoodlodge.com

Crater Lake Photos & Upcoming Crater Lake Events

Liz — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:03:48 +0000

Yesterday was a fee-free day at Crater Lake National Park. I am living and working at the Crystalwood Lodge this summer, which is only 18 miles from the southern entrance to the park, so the free day was a nice excuse to visit the lake. I like to run in the evenings so I packed up my runners and water bottle set out. When I got there at 6pm the afternoon rush of people had come and gone, the air was cooling and the sun was beginning to set. The pictures I’ve included are from The Watchman Overlook (8013 ft) and Garfield Peak (8054ft).

More photos at www.flickr.com/photos/crystalwoodlodge

There are two major upcoming events at Crater Lake in August. The 5th Annual Century Ride will be taking place on August 15th. Particpants can do the 62 mile ride, The Metric Century, from the Fort Klamath Museum up to the edge of the Rim Drive or the 100 mile Century Ride from the Fort Klamath Museum around the Rim Drive. There are 300 participants registered. The Century Ride is not a race, but an opportunity for avid cyclists to challenge themselves and experience Crater Lake. More information is available at http://www.craterlakecentury.com/index.html

Another upcoming event of a similar nature is the 34th Annual Crater Lake Rim Run, which will be taking place on August 8th. The event has 500 people registered to walk/run either the 6.7 m, 13m or 26m sections. More information is available at http://www.craterlakerimruns.com/neweventdetails.htm

Crater Lake National Park does not allow dogs on the walking trails, but Crystalwood Lodge does offer complimentary doggy day care for Lodge guests. For more information on Crystalwood Lodge please call 541/866.381.2322 or visit www.crystalwoodlodge.com

Great Hiking & Riding Trails near the Crystalwood Lodge

Liz — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:12:05 +0000

The area that surrounds the Crystalwood Lodge is filled with a rich history and eye-pleasing diversity. Located off of Highway 140 on Westside Road, the Lodge is slightly off the beaten trail, but offers a lot of wonderful opportunities for taking in the outdoors. The Nannie and Cherry Creek Trails, which were once logging roads, are located less than a mile north of the Crystalwood Lodge. These trails are perfect for horseback riding, a day hike or a gentle evening walk with the dogs. Along the well-kept gravel trailhead at Nannie Creek, a plethora of easy, scenic walking/riding paths branch off. The trailhead extends up 5.2 miles to the main parking lot, where hikers can decide whether they want to take the easy hike up to the Puck Lakes (4.8 miles round trip) or the longer and more difficult hikes up to Marguerette Lake (12.8 mile loop) or Luther Mountain (16.7 mile loop). Peaceful, quiet and scenic, these trails include no entrance fees, gates, warning signs or asphalt intrusion, making a trip down these trails exploration of Southern Oregon at its best.

For the summer, the trails are generally snow-free and the trailheads easily managed by most vehicles. For guests who travel with horses, the Crystalwood Lodge does have four horse corrals and private riding trails available.