The sun will ramp up the heat though much stronger at the high altitude.
We set off around 8:30am for a 2sh hour drive seeing more turkeys, bison and one baby deer for me along the way (although there was a Mom and 2 babies).
We enter the north entrance and stop at the north junction pull-out for some hike information
and my first look at Crater Lake. So beautiful!!!
The hike is around 7 miles along the Rim Trail and we're walking to the Crater Lake Inn; our home for the next 3 nights. (It's at least 900 feet in elevation change.)
We can see Mt Shasta in the distance; just a faint still snow covered mountain top in CA.
The landscape is not grassy; it's more bare dirt/ash. Definitely not what I expected. (The pointy peak is Mt Thielsen.)
But there are flowers here and there
and Frits flying; a good number of them.
We hike between Hillman Peak (8151 ft) and the remains of Williams Crater.
Then over to the Watchman Overlook which has an awesome view of Llao Rock/Bay.
I'm enjoying the views of Wizard Island.
Then it's time to climb to the Watchman. I believe it 300ft in 0.2 miles.
Lots of butterflies on the way up.
And the views, because they are higher at 8013ft.
I find a shady spot on the far side of to have my lunch. Butterflies zipping over the top, a few insects (robber flies) and a chipmunk who manage to score what looked like an apple.
But it's time to head down and finish the rest of the trail.
Beautiful along the way. The water appears to be getting bluer as we move around (could be the sun movement as well).
The killer for me is dropping back to the road and then having to climb back up another hill and another hill. This should be easy but dragging my tail. At least I wasn't the only one.
But soon civilization is in sight. And the stragglers group up with the guides at the start of the Crater Lake Village in the shade for a quick rest before parting way to entertain ourselves until hopefully our rooms are ready at 4pm.
I wander over to get something cold to drink - lemonade. Boy is that good. And wander along the rim with drink in hand stopping at a few of the shady spots.
I finally reach the Inn and take a sit in the lobby waiting for someone. And then around 3:45 held over to another room where I find the 2 guides and 2 guests and my room is ready!!
It's got great views but unfortunately there's a guest sitting area below - I'm hoping they close and 9pm.
Great day!
Butterflies for the day: Clodius Parnassian, Branded Skipper, Checkered White, Sulphur, and Frits.
