Monday, October 06, 2014

Cleetwood Cove Trail, Crater Lake National Park

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While we were on our way to Crater Lake National Park, we had been planning to do some activities other than hiking. It is not that we got bored of hiking, but then, we were thinking of doing some water activities instead since we are visiting Crater Lake.
Crater Lake from Cleetwood Cove Trail
We know that most people see the beauty of Crater Lake from the rim only. All the pictures in my previous post about Crater Lake were taken from the rim's vista points and did not need any hiking at all. The first thing we do always whenever we visit a National Park is to stop at Visitor Center and talk to a Park Ranger. Park rangers are very helpful, with positive and cheerful mood, and oftentimes, they share their best kept secret to hike when asked, like our Valley Floor Loop Hike in Yosemite National Park. However, this time around, our question will not be on hiking, but water activities. We asked if we can go kayaking or canoeing at Crater Lake, and the park ranger smiled to us charmingly and answered no, but we can go swimming or fishing on the lake.
Fishing Pole, Crater Lake National Park, OR
( sorry, but I do not know the guy who has the pole, so I just have to take picture of his rod)
He told us that the boat going to Wizard Island starts mid-July so we can not go to Wizard Island either. We can go swimming if we do not mind the cold water. The only legal route to go to the lake shore is by way of Cleetwove Cove Trail, 2 miles round trip, 700 ft descent/ascent on steep slopes. It is the same trail taken by people who wishes to go to Wizard Island ( we would love to take that boat tour to Wizard Island, but it won't be open until July).
Cleetwood Cove Trail, Crater Lake National Park, OR
The picture of the trail above is my only picture of the trail despite I would have loved to take more pictures of the forested trail and the green lichens on the trunks of the trees. It was just so hard for us to take pictures, we could not stop to take pictures at all because the swarm of mosquitoes would cover our entire body. The moment I stopped for a picture, I would see my shirt and pants all black and covered with mosquitoes, my face attacked, so I would instead give up the thought of taking pictures and continue walking. I have a mosquito after bite lotion, but what we needed at that point was insect repellent, which was sitting there in our car. At the top, there was still snow, therefore, we did not see mosquitoes, so, our fault, we went down very excited and so unprepared for mosquito attack. We could turn around and take our repellent instead, but then, we were lazy too, and decided to just keep on. The hike was easy (except for some who are not used to steep slopes, it may be a little bit strenuous), but it became unforgiving because of the swarm of mosquitoes. Our hiking would have been probably more pleasant had we brought with us our insect repellent. When we reached the lake shore, there were fewer mosquitoes, so, we were able to take some pictures. Here are some pictures from the lake shore:
  The cold water felt so good! Even very close to the lake shore, the water was very deep!
Colored Cliffs
A Pose By the Cliffs
( smile, even if there are some mosquitoes, but mosquitoes on the shore are fewer than the trail, it's the forested trail that had lots of mosquitoes
Boats On Shore
Here are some pictures about 100 ft above the lake shore.
Men on Dock
Boat and Reflections on Crater Lake
After this spot, the trail has no more expansive view of the lake and become lined with tall trees and mosquitoes started to attack again, that I had to tell myself no more stopping for pictures! Both the uphill and downhill hike was without any pause for a deep breath at all, otherwise, mosquitoes will cover our entire body. 
Almost nearing the top back to parking lot, saw this little glimpse of the lake in the midst of trees
( despite the mosquitoes and blocked by trees, got to take this picture since this would be my last glimpse of the lake in this mosquito filled trail, and it is also the most sparkling blue I found )
A lesson learned from this hike: don't always forget to bring insect repellent especially if you are in moist areas, for no matter the conditions at the start of the trail, it may suddenly change. 
♥♥
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25 comments:

  1. I like your forested trail, the lichens on the trunks, the tall trees, but not the swamp of mosquitoes.
    I love the blue lake, the reflection, I love to be there.

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  2. The lake and the reflection are amazing. Great sceneries!!

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  3. The forested trail sure would have been more enjoyable for you without those mosquitoes. I wouldn't have expected them either. The lake is beautiful and so are the colored cliffs.

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  4. the set of photos are excellent! the lake mimics the beauty of the cliffs, what a sight! Despite the mosquito attacks, you managed to take great shots! hehe just when you thought you can be off mosquitoes here in US!

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  5. I'm amazed at the beauty of your pictures Betchai! I'm glad you were able to take those beautiful sceneries inspite of the presence of the mosquitoes.

    Hope you have a great weekend!!


    Debbie :)

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  6. Crater Lake is so beautiful, I would love to go there one day. I have always had the travel bug and have always wanted to see America’s National Parks. I have been to Yosemite but only got to spend a day there L

    Thanks for taking the time to show me some of your hike and a beautiful part of your country.

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  7. What a beautiful view, and stunning photos..I love all the reflections in the water. Just absolutely gorgeous!

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  8. Wow, I love those shots of the lake and it's reflection; especially the one taken with the two boats, just the shot where you posed by the cliffs. It will make a beautiful picture of a puzzle. The water appears so blue and inviting.

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  9. wow! these shots are awesome! what a beautiful lake, the reflection is just wow!

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  10. The forested trail looks like almost mystical, beautiful.
    I like the wooden plank on the lake, I would run and jump into the lake (with proper gear of course) if I were you betchai :D

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  11. Yet another beautiful set of landscape photography. What type of camera do you use?

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  12. I completely understand about not stopping because of mosquitoes. I had to stop going to one of my favorite parks because of them. Thankfully they're mostly gone now so I can go back.

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  13. Wow..another so blue lake! I like the 3rd photo...so nice to be sitting at the lake.

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  14. betchai, i would love to sit beside you and enjoy splashing the cold water with my feet too! what a picture of happiness and contentment you have there!

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  15. Oh Betchai, i really would love to sit beside you too like Cher! gosh, i can't make up my mind which photo to look at first but in that one- "little glimpse of the lake in the midst of trees" the water is so unbelievably blue!...i would have stopped too braving the mosquito bites to take one last shot he he he...

    and gee, the layout background blue poppies...and blue sky, takes my breath aaawwaaayyyyy!

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  16. nakakatakot ang mga lamok, beth. dito, ang lalaki, parang may spinal cord, haha. keep safe, keep the pictures coming.

    i love your pose by the sparkling waters...

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  17. Miss Beth, I like all of your lake pictures... Probably because of my bias for blue - my favorite color... :D

    And indeed you are right in reminding that one should always bring insect repellants... You never know what you might get from those bites... :D

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  18. awow kimchai! ur like an angel in the garden of eden. sino ba si eden diba adan at eba lang?

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  19. The photos are breathtaking especially the ones with the boats. I don't do well with mosquitoes. They seem to think I'm a good meal.

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  20. The reflection on the lake are stunning. I would love to use one of these photos as my wallpaper, hehehe.

    BTW, i nominated you for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009 and i have something here for you:

    http://leomarsden.com/2009/07/i-was-tagged-again.html

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  21. What a stunning place, the mosquitoes would be a big deterrent for me, though. I can not enjoy the beauty of nature, when nature wants to eat me alive.

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  22. Your shots are beautiful but the mosquitoes!!! I was suffering just thinking about them!!!!

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  23. Hi Betchai...Visiting you here again and and taking time admiring the wonderful sceneries here!

    Hope you have a great week ahead!!


    Debbie :)

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  24. We were at Crater Lake the same time you were. Man, do I hear you about the mosquitoes! They were INSANE this year from all the late rains. I was just writing to let you know that this year was a freak one and they are normally not that bad. Both my husband and I couldn't believe it since we have both been multiple times in the past. If you have the opportunity to go again, you really should. Camping in the park is incredible and there are a lot of wonderful pictures of the surrounding mountains when you don't feel like you are being eaten alive :)

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  25. Droppin' by to wish you and Khai and happy week ahead! Seems like we're all busy these days but come to think of it, being busy means we are blessed. :)

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!