Monday, July 29, 2013

Crack in the Ground

Getting here was a pain in the ass. Just give yourself plenty of time and don't spend too long at the other attractions like Fort Rock and Hole in the Ground if you want to check this out. At the very bottom is directions how to get here.

Trail starts here

Looks like parts of it were weather by a stream going through

Crack in the Ground video

Getting to Crack in the Ground means having to get to Fort Rock first. If you are going down Hwy 97 until you pass LaPine. There is only a sign saying Reno pointing to Hwy 31,the Oregon Outback route, this leads to Fort Rock 23 miles later.

Go from Road 5-10 to Road 5-12. in other words keep going straight ahead and not follow the turn.

Keep following the paved road that runs along the power lines

The road runs to a dead and you take a right on 512B also know as Sink Lane

Now you on a gravel road that takes forever

Finally you get to this point and take a right and I was discourage to find I have 9 miles to go and now its a dirt road.

This is the worst it gets and its dicey in a compact car but once you get to the top its gravel again

This is looking from below of the same road to the left, High clearance vehicles are recommended but I made it up here in a Honda Civic

Don't take the following routes from the main road the first one leads to some fire outlook and the other is just the Green Mountain Campground.

This is the beginning of a large lava field

Once you past it you are just about there

You will see the outhouse first

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Green Lakes Trail Head

This is one the first real hiking trails I have put on my blog. Its a long hike so its advisable to start before noon if possible. Luckily along the way you have views of waterfalls fairly quickly on the trail. After the waterfalls the trail goes into a slightly alpine setting. Then goes to a more open woodland setting later before it goes into alpine again with lots of pretty mountain flowers among the grasses along the river. The video preview I have only goes this far, ran out of battery power. You end up crossing two log bridges before going up a steep climb though trees with switchbacks and then walk through various small steams along the way. Its at this point where its the most challenging and your tired already. I have had friends quit on me during the last steep climb. If they make it they are greeted with an endless wall of lava and obsidian to their left and a ridge to the right blocking any view that way. They end up quitting here because to them they feel like the hobbits in the Lord of the Rings. After appearing they reached Mordor they are greeted with endless wasteland to climb over. Its not that bad, Fall creek is pretty especially in the summer with the flowers and grasses growing in it. Yes the wall of lava goes on for it seems 15 to 20 minutes but you run across a sign in the trail showing where the trail beaks off with one last steep climb in front of you. Once at the top your rewarded with a view of Green Lakes.

Numerous steams you cross towards the last half of the trail

After hiking lat serious climb you are greeted by Fall Creek and the Lava Field

Broken Top

Fall Creek with Lava Field while coming back

South Sister and Green Lake

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Little Crater Lake and Timothy Lake

Timothy Lake

Little Crater Lake and Timothy Lake

I did not take the photos or even make a trip here. But a family member was nice enough to give me these beautiful photos. There are short little trails but destination is worth it.