Opening the morning on the forested basalt plateau where I found a quiet corner for the night, and starting to move west into a completely different region of Oregon — the forested Cascade Mountain Range.
The Drive to Klamath Falls and the Train Museum
I left the forest and continued driving west on Highway 140.
I passed through the town of Lakeview, and from there continued on a long drive until I reached the largest city in the region, Klamath Falls. In the big city, I looked for an outdoor gear store that was open at 8:00 AM. I found a shop and bought a 5-gallon fuel can and a large wood saw. Admittedly, it felt a bit like locking the stable door after the horses had bolted, but I wanted to make sure it wouldn’t happen a second time.
Additionally, I bought a good raincoat because I realized I hadn't brought one from home and I was traveling into rainy Oregon. It felt strange to be thinking about a raincoat when you are in the hot desert and already feel deep into summer. I had no idea at that moment that I would be using this coat as early as the very next day.
After Klamath Falls, right before I started the serious climb toward the mountains of Crater Lake, I stopped at a special attraction I had marked for myself in advance: the Train Mountain Railroad Museum.
This place holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest miniature hobby railroad museum in the world, with dozens of miles of small tracks scattered across a massive forested area, alongside real trains and historic railroad equipment. The site was still in winter hibernation, so I just did a short, interesting walk next to the trains they have there, and from there I got back behind the wheel and began gaining elevation.
Crater Lake National Park
I arrived at Crater Lake National Park, but Oregon's winter was still making its presence felt in a big way. Just like what happened to me yesterday at the Steens Mountains, I was greeted here by snow. Because of the winter heavy snow, the park's loop roads (Rim Drive) were completely closed to vehicle traffic, and it was impossible to circle the massive volcanic lake as planned. I had been here several times in the past, so I wasn't too disappointed.
I managed to reach the main area of Rim Village with the vehicle, near the gift shop and the historic Crater Lake Lodge.
Despite the closures, the views of the deep, intense blue water of the lake framed by the white snow were insane. I decided not to skip doing a bit of walking on foot and set out on a short trek from the lodge.
I walked part of the trail that climbs toward the mountain sitting right next to it, enjoying the cold air and the surreal view of the blue lake with the island inside it.
After the hike, I returned to the car and began descending the mountain on the north side of the park.
The Rogue River Canyon
From Crater Lake, I continued along the narrow corridor toward the next points of interest along the Rogue River:
Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint: I stopped at this impressive viewpoint. The river here is compressed with tremendous force into a narrow, enclosed basalt canyon formed by ancient lava flows, creating a spectacular, rushing display of frothing water.
Natural Bridge: Another short stop along the axis where the river simply disappears completely into an underground lava tube beneath the earth, bursting back out a few dozen yards later under a natural rock bridge.
Upper Rogue River - Big Bend Trailhead: I reached this trailhead, nestled in the heart of a thick, green forest—a beautiful area that shows just how radically nature changes as you move west from the Cascade crest. A short, easy walk along the river, and then back to the car.
Diamond Lake and the Springs of White Mule
From the river, I turned back north and passed by the impressive Diamond Lake, which offers a great view of the jagged Mount Thielsen in the background.
I continued onto the dirt trails that head deep into the pine forests north of Lemolo Lake:
White Mule Trail: I reached this hidden path, a quiet and isolated area inside a national forest abundant with water and hidden springs. I walked along the trail for about 2 miles until reaching an overlook from above of the powerful Lemolo Falls.
The waterfall is truly impressive, and then I also noticed that there were a few people down below and saw that there was a trail from the other side of the creek descending to the bottom of the falls.
I knew exactly what I was doing tomorrow morning....
Warm Springs Falls Trailhead: I continued driving on the forest trails until the starting point of the trail to the waterfall. From there, I set out on a short, easy walk inside the thick forest that led me directly to the beautiful waterfall (Warm Springs Falls), which drops from a height of about 100 feet into a small rocky canyon.
Camping in the Forest near Poole Creek
This long and diverse day, during which I drove 324 miles, took me from yesterday's eastern desert region to the snowy mountains of Crater Lake and the waterfalls in the forests, and it finally came to an end.
I didn't want to drive in the dark, and I found a perfect spot for my fourth night of sleep inside the forest, right next to the Poole Creek Campground located on the shore of Lemolo Lake.
I parked the vehicle between the trees and got organized to sleep in the quiet of the forest, ahead of continuing the route tomorrow.
As I was getting arranged for sleep, I saw the clouds rolling in. A light rain began to fall, but it didn't bother me during the night.
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