it’s still too snowy at Crater Lake so the entire Rim Road isn’t open yet. But, from Annie Creek we rode up to the Rim and then out and back past the North Entrance. This ride was 30 miles with 2800′ of climbing.
The first part of this ride is fairly gentle through forest and then past the Steel Visitor Center the climbing starts. It’s only 3 miles from the Visitor Center stop sign to the Rim and I really like this section for the switchbacks and the views out to Klamath.
We hung a left on Rim Drive and rode out towards Cleetwood Cove. When we rode this it wasn’t open to cars but it is now. There is basically no shoulder at all since the snow bank goes right up to the edge of the road so it was nice that cars weren’t there. This time of the year the views are quite dramatic with the blue lake and stark white snow. So amazing.
At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in America. The caldera sides are RIDICULOUSLY steep and there is only one legal way down to the water. Cleetwood Cove Trail is still under snow but when it’s clear we will definitely hike down. It’s a steep hike but worth it.
Our adventures continue!
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