Crystalwood Lodge Blog and News

Early Fall on the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge at Crystalwood Lodge

Fall is arriving, picking up pace day by day. We had a light freeze on Sept. 1, heralding the start of our favorite season…so the dogs and I got out and did about a 4 mile training run on the property to celebrate!

Why is it our favorite season here at Crystalwood Lodge ?

Great temps, plenty of open space to romp around in.

Great fishing action, with trout and perch — the trout are going crazy over the hoppers.

Fall Colors at Crystalwood Lodge just outside Crater Lake National Park

Lots of colors…for the next several weeks the marsh and mountains will be an ever-changing palette of eye-candy.

No mosquitoes.

Warm days, crisp nights.

Quiet.

Time to pause, reflect, relax.

Not even too early to plan future adventures…we’ve hosted 2 weddings this summer, numerous family reunions and groups, and celebrations for Christmas, Thanksgiving, President’s Day, spring break…oh yea, and summer!

But fall is truly special…

Ripe elderberries cover the grounds at Crystalwood Lodge near Crater Lake

Fall fruits in abundance: the property and area is covered with wild choke cherry, wild strawberries and the omnipresent wild elderberries. It would be a shame to let the birds and animals snag them all!

No crowds.

Crater Lake is peaceful once again, with all the trails and roads open and ready for exploring. Ditto for the National Forest, BLM lands, Sky Lakes and Mountain Lakes Wildernesses…all waiting for you to explore, without having to deal with rain, snow, bugs or crowds. This is truly a special time of the year!

Warm days, crisp nights, choke cherries and the start of fall colors at Crystalwood Lodge

And…to help you celebrate this most wonderful of seasons here in Southern Oregon — a fall reservation special! Now until when the snow flies (usually sometime in mid-late November) we’re offering 3 rooms nights for the price of 2…book 2 nights and your third nights’ stay is free!

If you can only stay 2 nights, we’ll give you a 25% discount on a 2 night stay…but I’m betting once you get here and enjoy our fall panoramas and activities, you’ll change your mind and decide to stay that third night and take advantage of this super special.

The dogs and I will be waiting for you. Who knows…you may be lucky enough to tag along on one of our training runs!

Woo-wooooo!!!

This season is starting out with a bit of a bang — an early opening to the “storm door” and several inches of fresh powder on the ground BEFORE Thanksgiving — Wahoo!

Blustery Day First Snowfall 2010

If you’re interested in snowmobiling on some of the best trails and powder anywhere in the West (anywhere! West Yellowstone and Park City, eat your hearts out), OR finding all the solitude you could possibly hope for, the area around Crystalwood Lodge, on the south side of Crater Lake is just made for you. We’ve got several hundred miles of groomed multi-use trails, nordic only trails, wide open spaces to snowshoe, and more stars on a clear crisp night than you’ve ever seen. Our area is home to avid cross country skiers, dog sledders, snowshoers, snowmobilers, and lots of folks who just know how to have a good time outdoors this time of year.

Don’t forget the 4-legged members of your family — they love the snow too, and can really show you how to enjoy it!

Something for me?

The other option is always to curl up in front of the fire in our wood stove with a good book and some yummy hot cocoa…

Dogs get to curl up too on their own dog beds!

There’s still plenty of birds — several hundred species call the Klamath Basin home year-round, and winter is an especially good time to view eagles and other raptors. Plenty of wildlife out and about as well, and the snow makes it far easier to see their activity by spotting and following their tracks.

Bald Eagle in Tree

Avoid the crowds, avoid the conga lines of cars, avoid parking hassles, avoid the high resort prices and come share our winter wonderland. Of course, Crater Lake in the winter is unparalleled beauty…our winter wonderland adjoins the South Entrance to Crater Lake National Park, which is the entrance that is open year-round.

Snowcovered Tules and Mountains

Crimp, a seven year old leader on Liz’s sled dog team, is pleased to announce that pre-publication orders for his new book Crimp! On-By!!  The True Story of a Most Unlikely Iditarod Lead Dog are now being taken.  Crimp’s inspirational story, which begins with an accident in his puppyhood, is told from his goofy, but thoughtful point of view. It is a positive and inspirational story that reminds readers young and old of the value of determination and the pursuit of one’s dreams.   

The book is currently being printed and will be in hand by next month, so pre-publication orders will be taken only until August 31^st.  Pre-publication orders will be  limited edition numbered and autographed (by Jan, Liz and Crimp) copies, complete with a photo of Crimp suitable for framing.

For more information and pre-publication orders visit http://crimponby.com/ or contact Liz Parrish at contact@briarspatchcoaching.com

Anyone who wants more info on Crimp and his teammates’ messages and teachings for us all can visit:  www.LifeLessonsFromDogs.com

August 21-23 is the Klamath Tribes’ Restoration Days Pow Wow and Youth Rodeo.  The Klamath Tribes were terminated in 1954 and, after a long struggle, regained recognition in 1986.   For the  past 22 years, the tribe has held an annual event in celebration of their restoration.  The event is open to everyone and includes a fun run/walk, pow wow, various vendors, a parade and a youth rodeo.  It will be held at the Chiloquin Rodeo grounds, which is about 20 minutes from the Crystalwood Lodge    .

For more information, please visit the Klamath Tribes’ website at http://www.klamathtribes.org/events/ or call 1-800-524- 9787 ext. 147

The Nannie Creek Trailhead is located about 2 miles from the Crystalwood Lodge.  The 7 mile trailhead shoots off into many different walking paths.  These walking paths are a glimpse of the maze of logging roads that once covered the area. 

 The Nannie Creek trail itself, which begins from the parking lot at the end of the 7 mile trailhead, extends many miles past what I have actually been on.  A easy hour hike will bring you to the Puck Lakes, which are great for fishing.  They are probably great for swimming as well – they were pretty warm when I waded in and I wished I’d brought my swimsuit.   About an hour further will bring you to a rockslide which boasts impressive mountain views.  If you were to make a whole day of it, the Nannie Creek trails would lead you deeper into the mountains to several lesser-known lakes.   What I love about the Nannie Creek Trail is that it’s so quiet and hidden…. I always feel like I’m stumbling on some well-kept secret.

Here are some photos from my trips up Nannie Creek.  If you’d like more information on the Nannie Creek trail, you can call the Lodge at 866/541.381.2322 and I’ll try to help you out as much as I can.  We have some maps/books that tell a bit about the trails that guests are more than welcome to make use of.

On a wonderfully clear, mosquito-free afternoon I went for a canoe trip down Crystal Creek.  I didn’t get very far because I was paddling in quite the leisurely manner, but I had a nice trip nonethless. 

The Crystalwood Lodge rents canoes for $12 for half a day and $20 for a full day.  It’s a great way to take in the beauty Southern Oregon has to offer and a great way to relax.

The National Parks Service has waived the entrance fees for many national parks for three summer weekends, the last of which is coming up soon.  August 15-16 there will be no charge to enter Crater Lake National Park so head on out! 

More info at http://www.nps.gov/FINDAPARK/FEEFREEPARKS.HTM