Short Hikes (Walks)

I am not a person that enjoys hikes for the chance to challenge myself or to get some cardio in.  Exercise for the sake of exercise is not my thing. I enjoy the great outdoors. If I’m going on a hike; it’s short, somewhat easy, and has visual rewards along the way. So my “hikes” are really more of a walk, than a “hike.” And the pace would be closer to a stroll, with plenty of stops, to marvel at the beauty all around. Three trails that fit my definition of time well spent while at Crater Lake are; the Lady of the Woods trail at .7 miles, the Castle Crest trail at .4 miles, and the Annie Springs trail at 1.7 miles.

The Lady of the Woods trail wanders through what was the housing and headquarters area; for the Army corps of Engineers crew that built the Rim Road, completed in 1919. This is still the only road that completely circles the lake. The trail leads through a forested area that is sprinkled, with the remaining historic stone lodge buildings of that era.  The National Park Service took over this location in 1926 and built the “rustic architecture” buildings that are on the trail today.  The highest elevation, reserved for the superintendents’ house; cascading down from there are more buildings with the dormitory and wood sheds for the workers at the lowest level.  They all have been lovingly cared for and remain functional today as meeting halls and science centers. This trail’s features culminate in a woman, who is carved into a large stone. She was created by Dr. Earl Bush 1917. He was the work camps doctor; who lived there, with the work crews. His job was to care for the men, working on the Rim roadway construction. He was so impressed by the beauty of the area; that he wanted to leave something of himself behind. That gift was the carving of “The Lady of the Woods.”

The Castle Crest trail is mostly level ground with a little bit of everything mixed into a short hike. This trail was blazed and built by the boy scouts in 1929. There is an adjoining trailhead, which starts at a current ranger station and post office. The Castle Crest trail starts in old growth forests, then meanders towards a bubbling stream, with hand placed stepping stones. The stones keep your feet dry; as you cross through a wetlands area. The stream begins as a series of seeps; gathers into a shallow, widening flow of water over the hillside. As you listen to the happy gurgling water flow under and around stones; the forest gives way to a beautiful open meadow. In July, the wildflowers are incredible. They were waving gently in the breeze; as bright orange butterfly dance among the landscape.  The gentle flow of coalescing waters; transforms into a gurgling stream, which follows the trail downhill. You follow both the stream and trail, around until you end up back at the trailhead. Mark found a fairy spa (small whirlpool) in the stream. The beauty and variety of this trail was surreal. It is easy to imagine fairies herding butterflies, across the meadow; and then resting near this little whirlpool. 

The Annie Springs Trail was more challenging for me. While the trail is a short 1.7 miles long, it also has an altitude change of 200 feet. The elevation changes are short pieces of the trail; these portions are the transition from ridge top trail, to canyon floor trail area. This trail loop starts in the Mazama Campground, along the rim of a canyon, drops down into the bottom of that canyon, runs along Annie Creek, and then back upwards to the canyon ridge top – back into the Mazama campgrounds. Annie Creek is a crystal clear, cold water stream that flows down the canyon. The dappled sunlight that is sprinkled along the banks, creates an oasis of wildflowers. At this time in Texas, July will have burned all but the hardiest wildflowers away; here in Oregon, they are just now bursting out, in an incredible variety.

Thanks for checking in our adventure. As always leave any comments or questions; and we will reply, as soon as we find internet access.