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.  

Crystalwood Lodge at the base of the Oregon Cascades viewed from the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Forest walking trails on the Crystalwood Lodge property

As you can see, everything is lush, green, and bursting with life! As I’ve mentioned in past posts,the birds have all arrived and are busy nesting and working on the next generation. Next time I’ll post more bird pictures, and I hope to be able to get out and take pictures of our prolific Great Blue Heron rookery, in the lodgepole pines along the east edge of our property and the marsh. It’s quite a sight!

Meanwhile, back at the Lodge, the view changes daily. Within the last week the aspens have almost all leafed out, likewise the willows. The grass and garden is being tended, and flowers are appearing.

One of our ponds in the front meadow through the early spring leaves of the aspen grove

View of the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge from behind Crystalwood Lodge

This is the view on the opposite side of Crystalwood Lodge from the front meadow.
Weather this week is supposed to be wonderful — nicely warm, in the upper 70s/low 80s, perhaps a small chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Those are amazing…to see the storms roll across the marsh…if we get some, I’ll definitely try for some pictures!

The front of Crystalwood Lodge as seen from a canoe out on Crystal Spring.

Come and enjoy springtime in the Klamath Basin...and don't forget your best friends!

The first staff member you’ll likely meet is Brick, whose self-appointed official title is Lodge Meeter and Greeter. He’s a very mellow old guy, a retired sled dog just turning 16 years young, and at that age he kinda figures he has outlived the rules. Mostly, he’s right! He welcomes everyone, 2 or 4 footed alike…he’s quite convinced you’re here to see him!

Brick is Crystalwood Lodge's official Meeter-and-Greeter

Next is Jeana, who is our summer staffer joining us all the way from Alberta Canada.  We’re thrilled to have Jeana join us, and in this first week she’s jumped in with both feet to quickly learn the Lodge facilities and amenities.  If you’re lucky enough to get her on the phone when you call, please welcome her and enjoy her delightful accent — after all, its definitely Canadian, eh?

Jeana is here to provide excellent guest service

Last, but certainly not least, is Orval, our maintenance and landscaping expert.  Orval is one of those rare individuals who can fix anything (and does).  With the historical nature of the Crystalwood Lodge and property, keeping everything working smoothly is a full time job!  Orval does a great job whether he is tending the garden, completing a project enhancing the guest experience, or providing advice on the many recreation opportunities in our area.

Orval keeps the place humming and beautiful.

And, of course, there’s myself — Liz, your host.  I manage to keep pretty busy running Crystalwood Lodge, training and caring for my sled dog team, and developing a speaking, writing and coaching career based on the life lessons I’ve learned from my sled dogs.  Since we accomplished our goal of completing the 2008 Iditarod Sled Dog Race (in celebration of my 50th birthday), the dogs and I are sharing our learnings with others, and Crystalwood Lodge makes a wonderful place to host those type of gatherings, events and workshops!

Liz is your host and owner of Crystalwood Lodge

We all look forward to welcoming you to Crystalwood Lodge this year, whether you’re visiting Crater Lake, attending one of the Cuttings, Ropings or other special events in the area, or just enjoying the multitude of things to do…we will make your hard-earned vacation extra special!

Enjoy the sun or the shade on our wraparound deck.

With seven guest rooms, a commercial kitchen, and 130 acres of wilderness to roam, Crystalwood Lodge is a great location for small and medium size events such as family reunions, corporate retreats, workshops, and more.

Take advantage of nearby Southern Oregon outdoor activities all year round, such as hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, bird watching and more. Or just hunker down at the lodge for stargazing, photography, canoeing, or curling up with a good book on our wrap-around deck.

Crystalwood Lodge is also welcoming to four-legged members of your family or your organization. So if you’re looking for a pet-friendly event location, put us on your short list!