Continuing our way to Vegas

Although we had been there before, how could you miss a chance to visit Crater Lake National Park. We learned that the PCT actually ran through the park. On the first day we dedicated our time to circling the lake on the rim road. Just about every pull out was awesome! We literally circled the lake and saw it from every direction. We even chose to return the next morning to see what the lake looked like in the morning. Sadly, the lake cruises were not running – you could only go in the lodge with a mask if you were staying there – the Covid impact was huge.

We did find both the spots where the PCT crossed roads in the park. The Woman interpreted what she read as that the PCT ran around the lake. However, it turns out that the PCT goes nowhere the lake. What she read was that most hikers on the PCT choose to hike around the lake, even though that is not the actual PCT. One through hiker that we bumped into at the junction of the PCT and the Rim Trail that goes around the lake. He said that few, if any, through hikers actually follow the PCT through Crater Lake NP – they just routinely divert to the Rim Trail, and meet back at the PCT later.

After Crater Lake we headed to Chiloquin Oregon. In Chiloquin is Train Mountain. In 1987, Quentin Breen decided to build 7 ½ inch gauge track so enthusiasts could display miniature rail engines and cars that were still big enough to ride. After he passed, the enterprise became a non-profit organization with members keeping and expanding the original mission. Today, the site has over 36 miles of track which allows the old white guys to literally play with their trains by driving them daily! We went on a ride and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Next we headed to Redding, not for any particular reason but it was in the right direction and about the right distance. As we approached Redding, we caught sight of Lake Shasta. A decade or two ago we visited Lake Shasta, formed by the Sacramento River and the Shasta Dam. At the time we visited, it was impressive, in a lot of ways like Lake Mead. However, today it looks far more dismal than Lake Mead, if that is even possible.

Talk to you soon.