Visiting Local Parks (#2): Crystal Springs Regional Trail, San Mateo

“Being out here feeds people’s soul.”

I was told by the woman who I met on Crystal Springs Regional Trail.

Great nature is Bay Area’s backyard, and they are always there for you to visit to reorganize mind shelves and hitting Ctrl + R on your soul browser.  There was a definitely tangible shift in mood as I made a short detour from the ordinary commute route on I-94 to Crystal Springs Reservoir.

As if my poor soul was previously dehydrated, the pouring sunlight has replenished me back to life after short 3 miles walk along the Sawyer Camp Segment Trail.

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What amazes me about living in Bay Area is its convenient accessibility to recreational parks. It’s as easy as finding nearest 7-11 to buy some item you forgot on grocery list.

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After spending one full year in Northern California, I still feel as though every day is my first day here. Why? Because I see and experience something new every day. I am trying to stay away from comfort zone and perpetual cycle of same day syndrome. This thought pushes me to discover new amazing trails like Crystal Springs!

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I can probably live anywhere in the world anytime if my heart tells me to do so.  What is most difficult for people who is getting used to dwell in their comfort zone is to look at familiar from fresh perspectives. Commuter route for example, can show you very different faces if you make decisive detour. If this detour was not made, traffic on commuter route will stay the same and nothing new may be seen. Only the frustration from being stuck will increase.

Going off the ordinary path should be practiced; and you may find something wonderful from its attempt. Fortunately, Bay Area is full of lakes and woods which make the whole region explorable. There is no excuse to go straight back home after work especially during this long daylight hours of summer.

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Crystal Springs Regional Trail is one of the must visit scenic trails in San Mateo county. You can acquire trail detail from Parks Department website. Some part of trails are under construction as of today (August 2014) check the  website for hours and notifications.

 

Enter blue heaven: Crater Lake National Park

If there is such thing as heaven, I can guarantee you it will be at paradise somewhere hidden in the depth of forests that spread next to crystal clear lake.

Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon is pretty much the mirror imagery of heaven and what can only truly be seen with your own naked eyes.

It is known as country’ deepest lake, as well as one of the clearest along with the competing beauty: Lake Tahoe.

There is no mystery why this place is on high place for many people’s “I want to visit” list.

Well, if this place is on your mind you should probably do yourself a favor and drive to Klamath Falls — a small Oregon town about an hour away from Crater Lake National Park — find the cheap lodge there and trek around this breathtakingly beautiful nature venue at your earliest vacation time possible. Trust me. You will appreciate to see this place before you travel up to…well, real heaven 🙂


Us 4 adventurers embarked on weekend road trip from San Francisco to explore Crater Lake.

Arrived Weed, California quite late at night on Friday – Mt. Shasta greeted our start in the morning.

Well, good morning Mt. Shasta! You look quite swell this morning.

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Leaving Weed, CA we drove for about 1 hour to reach Klamath Falls, OR. Made a stop to stock up on breakfast/lunch/goodies at Safeway then continued for another 1 hour to Crater Lake National Park.
I took the steering wheel and maneuvered the car through arcades of pine trees and up the hills to reach the park’s visitor’s center.

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We entered the park from the southern entrance and continued our way on East Rim Drive. Our first sight of attraction was Vidae Falls.

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Soon after the waterfall we came across Sun Notch Overlook where the shockingly blue lake water welcomed us and impressive sight of Phantom Ship rock immediately captivated our photogeek eyesets.

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That’s Wizard Island on the western side of the Crater Lake.

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Each overlook provides different view of the lake. Some overlook has clearer view of Phantom Ship and Wizard Island than the other ones, and even the blueness of water can be different depending on lighting condition.

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We hiked on 5miles (round trip) trail up to Mount Scott to stand at the top of best vantage point of Crater Lake.

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Cloudcap Overlook – there was no clouds to compete against the deep blue color of the lake.

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Sinnot Memorial Overlook near the Rim Village offered very scenic view of Wizard Island.

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Day 1 needed to end with sunset view from Garfield Peak.
Mildly strenuous 1.8 miles to reach the summit of steep cliff.

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Sun finally decided to set on our return trail from Garfiled Peak.

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Crater Lake blending into melting twilight.

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Day 2.

We got up early and hiked down Cleetwood Trail to catch our 9am boat tour.

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Although the lake is practically an enormous puddle created after the volcanic eruption, many small life inhibits in the water today. Salmon and rainbow trouts were introduced to the lake to appeal fishers and sprout new life in this beautiful sanctuary.

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From the boat, the view of Devil’s Backbones.

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Wizard Island’s old boat dock.

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Wizard Island.

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Approaching Phantom Ship!

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Phantom Ship on the left and Wizard Island on the right.

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Lastly, a view of Wizard Island from the summit of Watchman Overlook.

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Visiting Crater Lake from Northern California region is relatively easy and certainly do-able in one weekend. I highly recommend taking a road trip out to this gorgeous treasure of our lovely planet.