Oregon, Nevada, California

Sep 23-Oct 1, 2011
AC533 YYZ-PDX, AC8316 PDX-YYC, AC134 YYC-YYZ

After our wonderful trip to Oregon in May, it was clear that there was lots of beautiful scenery yet to see and also that much of the most interesting scenery is inaccessible in the winter and spring.  Crater Lake National park was high on the list of places to visit as it has one of the most beautiful and scenic lakes in the US with incredible surroundings.  In the past we’ve done relatively short trips in and out of the area so it was nice to have more time to explore the area, but as always we crowded too much into the trip including finally getting to Lake Tahoe and complete the last leg of the coastal highway between Oregon and northern California that we’d yet to drive.  Unfortunately during the trip we had some camera reliability problems and until we understood the problem missed some great photo opportunities.  However, we did still find some beautiful shots, an enjoyable birthday and a good trip.

Sep 23-24
Evening flight to Portland then on to Eugene via Mount Hood

Mount Hood early Saturday morning

Quick hike around Mount Hood at Government Camp

Mountainside after a long dry summer

Dee Wright Observatory on the McKenzie Pass

Heading down the McKenzie river towards Eugene

Previous fire damage and new growth.  Last photo before night in Eugene

Sep 25
From Eugene to Redding

Roosevelt Elk herd on our way to the Coastal Highway

Cape Arago lighthouse on the Oregon coast near Charleston

Seals and Sea Lions at Cape Arago State Park

Beautiful Oregon coastline

Looking back on Highway 101 from Gold Beach Oregon

Arch Rock in Samuel H. Boardman State Park

More of the beach in the park

Newton Drury Scenic Park in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Quick walk around the Red Woods

California Elk before ending the long day in Arcata

Sep 26
Arcata to Redding via Highway 1

More Redwoods from the Ave of the Giants near Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Railway bridge over Eel River

Eel River from Ave of the Giants

Tom driving through Shrine Drive Through Tree near Myers Flat

After a windy mountain pass we finish our Hwy 1 California coastal drive

Shasta Dam with Shasta Lake and Mt Shasta in the background

Zoom into Mt Shasta before ending the day in Redding

Sep 27
Redding to Lake Tahoe via Lassen Volcanic National Park

Looking back on the mountains for Lassen

Lassen Summit Peak reflected in Lake Helen

Volcanic features in Sulphur Works just as the camera was dying

Our first look at beautiful Lake Tahoe after some futile camera shopping in Reno

Driving down the mountain to Tahoe California

Someone enjoying the calm waters of America’s 2nd deepest lake (514m)

Sunset over Lake Tahoe from our resort

Sep 28
Lake Tahoe to Klamath Falls via Lava Beds National Monument

An interestingly decorated tree along the highway

One of a number of dry lakes in Northern California (perhaps more to come)

One of the many caves we explored in Lava Beds with the loaner flashlight

Skull Cave, our last cave and only a tiny shared flashlight

Looking back at the craters from Schonchin Butte

Controlled fires burn in the park

Overlook on Tule Lark on the northern edge of the park before ending day inKlamath Falls

Sep 29
Klamath Falls to Eugene via Crater Lake National Park

Our first look at Crater lake, the deepest in America (592m)

Phantom Ship island in the volcanic crater lake

Pinnacle rocks in the park at the end of a short hike

After a steep climb, we get close enough to the lake to stick our hands into the cold water

After hiking to Watchman Overlook we look to other mountains and managed fires

More views from the Overlook

Heading back to Eugene along Willamette River before dinner downtown

Sep 30
A short driving day from Eugene to Portland

Walking around Portland on Friday afternoon

Pioneer Courthouse Square celebrating “Portland City Sit”

Oct 1
Flight back to Toronto via Calgary