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Easy Day Trips From Sunriver,
Oregon
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake is widely known for its intense
blue color and spectacular views. The crater was once ancient Mt.
Mazama before it blew its top thousands of years ago. During summer,
visitors may navigate the Rim Drive around the lake, enjoy boat
tours on the lake surface, stay in the historic Crater Lake Lodge,
camp at Mazama Village, or hike some of the park's various trails
including Mt. Scott at 8,929 ft. Diverse interpretive programs enhance
visitors' knowledge and appreciation of this national park, 90%
of which is managed as wilderness. The winter brings some of the
heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging 533 inches per year.
Although park facilities are mostly closed during the snowy season,
visitors may view the lake during fair weather, enjoy cross-country
skiing, and participate in weekend snowshoe hikes. Drive south highway
97 and follow the signs for Crater Lake National Park, about 70
miles from Sunriver. (541) 594-2211.
Crooked River Gorge
Originally basalts flowed down the gorge, and now water
has taken its place, eroding the gorge ever deeper. Dramatic and
beautiful, the 300 foot deep Crooked River Gorge is a breath-taking
slice into the earth exposing the volcanic upheavals that shaped
the central region of the state. Travel north from Bend on Highway
97 about 45 miles and pull off to the left on the south side of
the gorge. It's a great place for a picnic or exploring the area.
Pine Mountain Observatory
Pine Mountain Observatory is located 35 miles east of Bend . The
facility is operated by the University of Oregon Physics Department
and features 15-, 24-, and 32-inch telescopes. This is the only
major observatory in the Northwestern United States. Visitors are
welcomed on Friday and Saturday evenings (and Sundays on long holiday
weekends) from late May through September, weather permitting.
Please let us know in advance if you plan to bring a group of over
eight people. A $3.00 donation per person is encouraged.
We may be able to arrange visits at other times by advance reservation.
Skies need to be clear, "Dark Moon" weekends are best.
Please call first (541) 382-8331. Take US Highway 20 East to Millican.
Just beyond the gas station, take Forest Service Rd 2017 south for
eight miles and then take the right fork near the base of the mountain.
Smith Rock State Park
Hiking trails and climbing routes
offer spectacular views of the surrounding area. You can spend 30
minutes walking along the river or half a day making a loop on the
entire trail system that extends outside the park. The major rock
faces are composed of welded tuff (compressed volcanic ash) reaching
a height of up to 550 feet. The picnic and campground areas sit
on top of the rim rock which is made up of columnar basalt. There
are over 1400 climbing routes in and around the park including some
of the best sport climbs in the world. People climb year-round,
but spring and fall are the most popular climbing months. Smith
Rock State Park is located north of Bend in a small town called
Terrebonne. |
