Fun with the high clouds....
The Mothership about to descend atop Mt Hood...
Your typical snowy beach scene that's on most every hike...
Sun dogs! This was pretty cool, the sun bleaches out some of the color with the pictures but it was very bright in person..
Check out the tree in the middle of the trail. Somehow it managed to fall standing up and is now wedged in with the canopy. The tree it fell from is right there next to it. Almost like it was just lifted up and set down. It really looked strange walking towards it..
Sullivan's book says it's a 12 mile loop , the sign here (and all around the lake)say 13. Add a mile for the out and back to the Little Crater Lake lot. Whatever, it's a long way..
And a map of the route.. The trail sticks mainly to the lake, there's a lot of roads on that map too.
And finishing the day at Little Crater Lake. Spring runoff kind of dilutes that pure blue water you will see here later in the year. It'll be much better then.
A large tree has come down, blocked the path and fallen partially into the lake. There are dozens of small trees and branches down along the route and maybe half a dozen bigger ones that actually require some effort to get around.
I think now and late fall are the best times to go for one main reason. All the campgrounds are still closed and you'll have the place virtually to yourself. We saw a few people fishing here and there but not another soul on the trail from a bit after 10a to a bit before 4p. We had it to ourselves the enitre hike. The wind was roaring in the trees above but under their canopy it was just a refreshing breeze. More pics from another great spring day here..
http://picasaweb.google.com/pdxgene/TimothyLake5
Yay sun!
