My husband and I and some friends are going to be spending a week in Oregon on mid-August, 2003. One of our goals is Crater Lake. I don't see much information on the forums about it. Could I please have some input regarding the following: (1) approximately how far a drive is it from Portland? (2) how much time should we plan to spend here? (3) what is there to do besides view the lake and take a ride on tour boat (with regard to the boat tour, I read somewhere that it was a difficult climb back up. Is that true? (We are all in our late 50's and reasonably good health.) Should we try to stay at Crater Lake Lodge or are there other good alternatives? Anything else to do in area? Thanks for any info.

Also, if you're feeling generous with your time, any other information about Oregon would be great. We plan to start in the Portland area, travel down the coast, visit wineries, etc. and work our way down to Crater Lake.

My wife and I also did the Oregon thing a few years ago.

We flew into Portland and drove to a place on the coast near Cannon Beach. After a few days there, we drove down the coast and over to Crater Lake. I don't remember that being an unbearable drive, maybe 4 to 5 hours but with great scenery.

Crater Lake is absolutely gorgeous. But there is absolutely nothing to do there. We stayed at the Lodge, but it's nothing to write home about. We were lucky; we hit a light snow fall as we driving up to Crater Lake. Talk about making it even more special.

Do not, I repeat, do not, hike down to the lake unless you are in really, really, really, really, good shape. Going back up hill is a killer. Besides, the view from on top is the best anyway.

We then drove up to Bend for a few days. Talk about a complete change. It's high desert. I really liked a little town called Sisters.

We then drove and stayed at the Gorge for a few days. I wasn't blown away by that area; then again, I'm not a big river fan.

I would like to go back to Oregon. I find it a beautiful state, that's still relatively unspoiled by tourism.

Have fun. If you have any other questions, just shout. (I realize I haven't been overly specific. I don't know how much info you need.)

Crater Lake is a scenic wonder that's worth a visit and an overnight at the Lodge (better make reservations now). However, there is nothing much to do beside driving the circular route on Rim Drive...its lovely. We visited too late in the season for the lake cruise, but the scenery (and photo opportunities) from atop the rim is where its at. We stayed at the Lodge and it was pleasant and practical (since it is a long drive to alternate lodging, so why not stay on the Lake.) Also, fog tends to roll in and out of the Crater, so you'll have better opportunities for great viewing if stay at the Lodge and can wait out any fog. We drove from Portland along the Columbia Gorge (nice waterfalls/trails) to Hood River. Then through the orchards of Hood River Valley to Mount Hood Lodge. Then on to Bend...loved driving through "century drive" in the heavily forested area dotted with secluded lakes. Then to Crater Lake Lodge for the night. Then up the coast and finally through "wine counrty" ( McMinnville, etc). A great two weeks!

Several years ago we booked three nights at Crater Lake Lodge. The publicity sent out by the lodge included the statement, "you haven't experienced Crater Lake unless you have taken the boat ride" or something like that, so we allowed a day to do that. But just before we went we found out the boats weren't running (they were redoing the gas lines or something). We tried to cancel out one night and they wouldn't let us cancel at all since it was only 10 days before we were going. When I complained that one day was lost because we couldn't do the boat, they kept insisting that the boat ride was such a minor point of the experience. Why then did they lie on their publicity I asked, by saying that no trip was complete without that trip?
Anyway, Jack above is right. There is almost nothing to do there. We did a little hiking. But we did find a brochure of a long full day trip driving in the area and hiking to visit dozens of waterfalls -- of which we managed to sneak in about five or six. It was a great day, but quite a drive back up to the lodge. The lodge was nice, nothing special, except the view is incredibly beautiful.

Crater Lake is about 6 hours from Portland. However, it sounds like you are going to split up the drive and that will make it much better. There really isn't very much to do at Crater Lake. Probably one night would be enough. The drive around the lake could take a day, if you get out at the stops and go on any walks. The view is incredible and there are some intersting tid bits of information on the rim drive. I have never done the boat tour but I have heard it is a pretty good work out. Maybe wait to decide when you get there and check it out. I would definately try and stay in the Lodge. It is very well done and very fun. Go down to the living room and read or play games or watch people. The lodge is worth it. If you can go during the week it might be easier to get a reservation, and do try to get on the lake side of the lodge for the view.

Diamond Lake a short drive from the park also has lodging if it is full or you want to stay somewhere else.

The drive from Roseburg through the Umpqua National Forest is very pretty and there are some B&Bs with great locations if that interests you. Very green.

As for the rest of Oregon..... The coast is spectacular. The coast and the wine country are on different routes from Portland - would be good for round-trip to/from Portland. I believe the prettiest part of the coast is from Cannon Beach to Florence. There are many points to stop and view from the highway and great beaches for walking. Florence south, the highway is inland, therefore it is more difficult to get to the actual coast.

Hwy 99W is where many of the wineries are located. It is a beautiful drive with some nice B&Bs along the way.

As many people recommended you could go to Bend. Personally I don't like Bend (s-p-r-a-w-l) (though I admit its downtown is ok). I also really like the huge park in town, fun for a picnic, save something to feed the geese and ducks. I do enjoy Sisters. Sisters is a town that has been 're-done' and some people think it is touristy, it is but we still enjoy it. I have never driven on that side of the Cascades to Crater Lake so I don't know about routes. High desert is interesting but for me not so pretty. I much prefer the huge trees and Umpqua Forest as I mentioned in my previous post.

The Gorge is beautiful!! Lots to do and pretty spots. Take the old highway, very curvy and slow but very pretty. Stop and take a few walks, they vary in difficulty. Go to the dam and see the fish and the sturgeons. Hood River is fun.

Mt. St. Helens is close to Portland well worth a day. Portland itself has lots to offer, museums and gardens. The Rose Garden would be in full bloom. Japanese Garden is always pretty. Downtown has some fun places to see.

August is a wonderful month in Oregon. Very sunny, rarely rains but it can get warm, especially on the east side of the Cascades. So bring shorts - difficult to say as it is raining now (but I do see blue sky)

Let us know if you need more details as you get more into planning. Enjoy Oregon!

The drive thru the Umpqua forest is very scenic. In addition to the Lodge, there are also accomdations at Mazama.

We stayed in the Lodge several years ago, while returning home from British Columbia. I made the reservations several months in advance and was told at the time that the only room available was on the first floor with no view. So book NOW. Also I was told to call back for reservations in the dining room. I think the earliest you can call is a month or so before your stay. The dining room food was good, nice service, window table, great view.

The room itself was OK, nothing great, very dated and a view of the walkway outside, no lake view.

We met a woman in the lobby who had arrived without a reservation, who bragged (sour grapes on my part) that she waited around for an hour or so, until about 4PM,and lucked out when there was a last minute cancellation. She got a beautiful lake view room. This upset me, as I asked at check in if they had any view rooms available and was told that all of the rooms were already occupied, so that there would be no chance of any cancellations. This woman got her room mintues after we had checked in. I saw her waiting by the desk.

Arrive early or mid day, do the rim drive, check in, have dinner, relax the next day and check out. One night is sufficient. Or you might choose to have breakfast the next day, check out, do the rim drive and continue on your trip.

Many years ago, we took the boat ride. I remember thinking that the walk down was l/4 mile, the walk up, was 25 miles . The boat ride was nice, but not worth the walk back up. The views and the Lake are incredible, so brings lots of film. Enjoy yourself, it's well worth the stop.

Thank you so much to all of you who replied to my inquiry. You all gave me valuable insight and information. I'll probably be back with more questions as we continue to plan our trip. We live in the Tampa, Florida area so Oregon will be a complete change of scenery and weather! Thanks again.

Val

Depending on your route, consider overnighting in Ashland (about 2-3 hrs from Crater Lake). It's a nice town, and, if you're interested, home to the wonderful Oregon Shakespeare Festival (http://www.orshakes.org), a premier arts event in the northwest. Close to Ashland is the interesting historic town of Jacksonville, where they have their own fun festival (http://www.brittfest.org/) that lasts through the summer.

FWIW, we regard Crater Lake as a couple-of-hours been-there destination, but it IS gorgeous, albeit remote.

If you're planning on seeing the Columbia Gorge, make sure you take the old highway ("Historic Highway") rather than the freeway. You can take US 97 south from the Gorge to Bend and Crater Lake; it's a nice ride south through high desert and dry pine forest. Before you head south on US 97, try to visit the Maryhill Museum, on the Washington side of the river a couple of miles from the US 97 bridge - well worth a visit for a surprising collection of artistic and historic items (http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/).

to vboltin: I've gone back through all the posts, and I want to make sure you come away with one thought, and that is, Crater Lake is awesome and a must see. It doesn't matter what the Lodge is like, or whether there's anything else to do there. You have to see Crater Lake.
Wow!!!!

Jack, never fear, we are determined to visit Crater Lake, but will probably only spend one night and then be on our way. Thanks again, all!