Author Topic: Touring Around Crater Lake  (Read 13145 times)

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Offline adamrust

Touring Around Crater Lake
« on: January 08, 2010, 04:31:03 pm »
I'm a fledgling bike tourist.  I'm working on plans for a trip this summer.  I'm thinking of riding the rim of Crater Lake, and surrounding areas.  Anyone have any advice for a trip like this?  Roads to use, gear to bring, places to camp, best times to travel, etc.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bike Love Forever!
Adam
Bike realtor in Portland, Oregon

Offline kidflash

Re: Touring Around Crater Lake
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2010, 01:12:28 am »
I'm a fledgling bike tourist.  I'm working on plans for a trip this summer.  I'm thinking of riding the rim of Crater Lake, and surrounding areas.  Anyone have any advice for a trip like this?  Roads to use, gear to bring, places to camp, best times to travel, etc.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bike Love Forever!
Adam
Good choice! I did this route about 20 years ago as my first self contained tour. I started in Sutherlin, went up to the lake, rode around the lake, then down to the Rouge River Campground.
 I think this was 4 days. Camping on the way up and down was easy to find a spot ( I prefer to stealth camp). But, be careful up on top! There were no camp sites then on the top, only a camp 7 miles down on the Rogue River side. I found a place after dark, but didn't sleep very well as I was worried about getting caught. I had asked a guy at a restaurant about places and he warned me about a steep fine ($250) if I got caught.
  I went in the early Spring as the day I got there the road wasn't open yet around the lake, but they let me ride it anyway, so I had it all to myself. I did have to walk for a short distance once but that was well worth the solitude.
  I think I would come up from the Rogue area then stay at that campground and ride on up and around the next day. Then you could find a camping spot on the way down to Roseburg or go back down the way you came, then you could pick a campsite on the way up.
  As far as gear, basic tent, sleeping bag, rain gear, food, and stove should be good for a few days.I do remember being surprised that there were mosquitoes up there even though there was still snow on the north slopes.

      Good Riding,  Kidflash

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Touring Around Crater Lake
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2010, 03:21:17 pm »
Here is a link to the maps from the 2007 Cycle Oregon ride.  The route was a loop from/to Sisters, OR.  It included a "rest day" at Diamond Lake where you could choose to ride up the Rim Road, ride around it, and then ride back down to camp.  Doing it this way allows you to ride the entire road without repeating mileage.  Most of this route is amazing.  Not only does it include Crater Lake, but also McKenzie Pass and the Aufderheide Highway.  Dorena Lake is just outside of Cottage Grove, where the parade scene of the film "Animal House" was filmed.  One day you ride a narrow, paved forest service road through a forest.  Beautiful.

The only issue is camping.  There is camping at Diaomnd Lake and Dorena Lake, but you would have to research the other areas.  I do know that there are motels in La Pine and (I think) near Rainbow.  We did it in early September, after the tourists had gone.  Weather was still pretty warm except for La Line, where it dipped below freezing.

indyfabz

  • Guest
Re: Touring Around Crater Lake
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2010, 03:21:47 pm »
Oops.  Forgot the link:

http://www.vlmk.com/co2007.html