Crater Lake National Park to Lava Beds National Monument

June 25, June 26-July 3, 2010         Medford, Oregon

400 miles/8 days (2 rest days)          Rating: A76-E86, I100 (17,500 feet climbing)

$1,355/$400 deposit

 

Final Payment due April 19, 2010

Our journey into the rugged Cascade Range begins in the beautiful city of Medford, which is located on the Rouge River in south central Oregon.  Our first day will take us on a long gradual climb up to Crater Lake National Park, where we will spend the next two nights at the lodge on the rim of the lake.  The following day’s ride is short, with rolling climbs and descents that take us around the lake and offers spectacular views.  Our route will then descend from the caldera to where the roads are mostly flat as we ride along the shore of Upper Klamath Lake and through the wildlife refuge.  After a rest day in Klamath Falls, we’ll have a flat ride through the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge out to the rugged landscape of Lava Beds National Monument.  The following day takes us up and over the convergence of the Cascade and Siskiyou mountain ranges into Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  Our second rest day is in Ashland, where we’ll attend the afternoon performance of She Love’s Me (included in the tour price).  On our last day, we’ll follow back roads to the gold rush town of Jacksonville, where changes in fortune and transportation left the town remarkably well preserved, before returning to our starting point in Medford.

 

DAY 1 – FRIDAY, JUNE 25 - MEDFORD, OREGON Our journey into the rugged Cascade Range begins in the beautiful city of Medford, which is located on the Rouge River in south central Oregon. Lodging this evening is in the Shilo Inn, with dinner on your own, following our 5:30 pm orientation meeting.

DAY 2 – SATURDAY, JUNE 26 - CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK (82 mi, 7200 ft climbing) Following a continental breakfast at the Inn, we will be on the road by 8:00am following the Rouge – Umpqua Scenic Byway up to the Crater Lake National Park. The road takes us through the Umpqua National Forest, with its towering trees, and flower filled meadows, into the volcanic wonderland of the Cascade Mountains, and to Crater Lake. We will be on a gradual climb all day - the downhill will come later in the week.  When we arrive at the top we will be rewarded by one of the most spectacular views in our National Parks, the sight of Wizard Island and Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet. Located at the rim is The Crater Lake Lodge, one of the classic National Park historic lodges, built in 1915. This will be our lodging for the next two nights, with our group dinner at the Lodge dining room that overlooks the lake and serves the finest northwest regional cuisine around. (CB, L, D)

DAY 3 – SUNDAY, JUNE 27 - CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK (34 mi, 3040 ft)  Breakfast will be on our own this morning, and our start will be at 9:00am, giving the morning a chance to warm up. Today’s ride is a 34 mile with rolling climbs and descents that take us around the lake and offers views of the that are spectacular, so be sure to take your time and bring your camera. The pace will be leisurely so we can take advantage of the many scenic pull-outs and short walks to some of the view points. After returning to the Lodge the will be time before dinner, on our own, for a short walk with plenty of photo opportunities at the rim. (L)

DAY 4 – MONDAY, JUNE 28 - KAMATH FALLS, OREGON (71 mi, 1400 ft)  Again breakfast is on our own with a 9:00am start time. Today we will be riding through the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, which is comprised of 15,000 acres of mostly freshwater marsh and open water. These habitats serve as excellent nesting and brood-rearing areas for waterfowl and colonial nesting birds, including American white pelicans and seven heron species; keep an eye out bald eagles and osprey, which nest nearby. After descending from Crater Lake (partial payback from the first day’s investment), today’s ride will be mostly flat as we ride along the shore of Upper Klamath Lake.  Lodging this evening will be at the Quality Inn, located in Klamath Falls, Oregon and is within easy walking distance of downtown. Dinner tonight will be on your own. (L)

DAY 5 – TUESDAY, JUNE 29 - KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON  Today is a rest day, so following your continental breakfast you can explore Klamath Falls or just relax. (CB)

DAY 6 – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30 - KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON (100 mi, 1300 ft)  After our continental breakfast we will get an early start at 7:30am to begin our journey to Lava Beds National Monument, a 45-mile ride through the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Again as we travel through the Refuge keep your eye pealed for the wildlife viewing areas and the inhabitants of this wildlife-rich area. When we enter Lava Beds watch for cinder cones, shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes, lava tubes, both pahoehoe (smooth ropy) and a’a (rough and clinker-like) lava, spatter cones and chimney which are all part of this area’s legacy. The turbulent past that created the rugged landscape also provided the setting for the Modoc Indian war of 1872 in which 52 warriors, held off an army 20 times its size for almost 5 months. Most of today’s ride is flat, with some mild climbing up to the monument’s visitor center.  After returning to Klamath Falls, dinner will again be on your own. (CB, L)

DAY 7 – THURSDAY, JULY 1 - ASHLAND, OREGON (76 mi, 3025 ft)  This morning after our continental breakfast we will head along the scenic state highway, Route 66 and over Buck Mountain, elevation 6,247. Next we will enter the Siskiyou National Monument administered by the Bureau of Land Management and established in June, 2000. This Monument, located at the crossroads of the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou mountain ranges, is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the west. This afternoon we will collect on the rest of Saturday’s investment as we descend down to the most picturesque town of Ashland, Oregon which is nestled at the convergence of the Cascade and the Siskiyou Mountain ranges, and also the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and several repertoire theaters. Our plan for this evening is dinner on our own which will allow us to take in an evening a play.    (CB, L)

DAY 8 – FRIDAY, JULY 2 - ASHLAND, OREGON (optional 54 mi, 5600 ft)  After our continental breakfast we have the day to ourselves to explore this quaint little town or to take a ride up Mount Ashland, elevation 7,533 feet.  The route is out-and-back so you can turn around and easily be back in time for the play.  These activities will take place prior to our afternoon play at 2:00pm the play will be She Loves Me (included in the tour price). There is another evening performance, beginning at 8:30 pm, which is not included in our trip package. Dinner will again be on our own this evening. (CB)

DAY 9 – SATURDAY, JULY 3 – MEDFORD, OREGON (34 mi, 1500 ft)  This morning’s ride takes us through Jacksonville, Oregon, which has long been hailed as one of the most historically significant communities in the western United States. Take the time to explore this town, especially the downtown area along California Street. Our arrival back in Medford will be at lunch time, so if you are planning on departing this afternoon please arrange you flights after 3:00 pm. (CB, L)

Tour leaders – Duncan Rollo and Dan Pappone

For further information contact Duncan Rollo at (970) 224-2783 or duncanrollo@msn.com and Dan Pappone at (408) 316-1667 or danpappone@att.net