suggestions for Crater Lake?

[Lisa Nikodym]

I'm planning to visit Crater Lake (southern Oregon) this coming long weekend, staying in nearby Klamath Falls.  I haven't been there before.  Does anyone here have suggestions for "don't miss" places for photography and/or day hiking?  Or for anything else (good restaurants, local driving tips, etc.)?

Thanks,
Lisa

[Camboman]

The NPS lodge on the rim, while having very over-priced rooms, does have a restaurant with reasonable food & prices. This is the only game in town unless you bring your own food/cooler in your car. I'd definitely recommend the boat trip on the lake (if it's running-service is intermittent).
   Mt. Thielsen, just north of the park, is a pointy peak called "the lightning rod of the cascades", which has a hiking trail to near the top. Ropes needed to summit. Awesome views.

   Have a great trip!

[NashvilleMike]

Not a lot of choice for fine dining or exotic lodging, to say the least, LOL, but the view from the rim drive around the lake up at the top is WELL worth it - you won't be caring much about food for sure.

I love Crater Lake NP - it's small for sure, but not very crowded, and while there aren't a billion things to do like, say, Yosemite or Glacier, it's one of my favorites. Something about being there photographing before sunrise (in which case you're likely the only one there) in the absolute dead quiet of morning really gets me - there's a peaceful calm about that lake that reminds you that it was around long before we came along and likely will be long after we're gone.

As for shooting - sunrise and sunset for sure. I seem to remember that I enjoyed locations (up on the rim drive that circles the crater) near the rim-level visitors center and lodge as well as a location roughly opposing it on the north side of the rim. If you've got the time, shoot in multiple locations - picking one spot for both rise and set one day and then another for the next.

Watch out for crazy RV drivers going around the curves too fast - the road is a bit narrow in a few spots. Other than that - enjoy yourself.

I haven't been on the lake tour but I'm sure it's worth it.

And yes, the lake really is THAT blue

-m

[Peter McLennan]

Take the boat ride.

Last time I was there, on a lookout with a bunch of other visitors, I said out loud: "It's too blue.  They must have photoshopped it."

Nobody laughed.  

[Lisa Nikodym]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I hadn't been planning on taking the boat tour, but now I'll look into it.  

Lisa

[stever]

definitely the rim drive am and pm, if you have time scout the locations, there are some particularly nice formations with the right light, but i can't remember locations as it's been a few years since i was there

the boat tour is great, although some morning there's haze

the island also

[theophilus]

The north rim in my opinion is the preferrable spot for sunset.  There are some great basalt rock formation at that end, and you can hike up a bit.

There is an overlook house but I didn't go up there, I preferred to stay closer to the edge.  I will try to post a shot from this July to show you where I was.

I didn't have time but for the sunrise I would have wanted to try to be at the water's edge.

[Lisa Nikodym]

I already went, came back, and am working on the photos.  I'll try to post a couple tonight (to show those who haven't been there what it looks like).

Unfortunately, it was a holiday weekend so it was even tougher to get space on the boat than usual, and, since I was staying an hour and a half away, I would have had to get up obscenely early to get a ticket before they run out for the day between 7:00 & 7:30 - so I gave the boat a pass.  Got in some excellent hiking, though, with bright sunny weather.

Lisa

[Lisa Nikodym]

As promised, a few photos from Crater Lake to let you all know what you're missing  :





Lisa

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Lisa,

Your photos always make me want to go to the places you have been. Thanks for sharing them.

The second one isn't your spouse, is it?  

[Lisa Nikodym]

The second one isn't your spouse, is it?

Sorry, no.  You can tell because it isn't carrying my camera bag for me.  

Lisa

[harleygirl239]

When the weather is warm be sure to do the boat trip, I've lived in Oregon most of my life and a month ago was the first time I've done the boat.  BE IN SHAPE THOUGH it's not bad going down but coming back can be a bear.  We had hail coming back up the trail, was cold and very wet.  The trip in the boat is well worth it you get such a different view than around the rim WOW.  If you go in the spring early summer do the short hike to see the wildflowers. Crater lake is just spectacular every bit of it.