Fall Color | Henry's Foxhole "aka Fuxagufer West"

We slept in and then left Medford via Oregon Hyw 62 to Crater Lake. The storm had brought in rains and winds but we decided to keep our plans to go to Crater Lake and then over to Klamath Falls for the night. Off we went towards Crater Lake with the big Pacific Northwest Storm making itself known. But we had some beautiful trees on the way!

The vibrant red just doesn’t show up with the rain

Beautiful color contrasts

We stopped at a Rouge River trail and scenic overlook to see and hear the power of the flowing river.

Trail information

Geological information

The beautiful river

As we were enjoying the beautiful autumn colors of all the trees, I spotted a car coming towards us with snow on the roof. The outside temperature was about 48 so we assumed it must have snowed overnight at Crater Lake. As we continued on, snow was along side the road. Then as we got to the Visitors Center it was snowing, heavily! Snow was not a problem for our Subaru but surprised us. Luckily, the park service does plow part of the roads and will open up more roads after a storm has passed.

Crater Lake Steel Visitors Center

Snow tunnel entrance to Steel Visitor Center

Snow around

Snow at the Rim Visitors Center Area

Most of the park roads were closed due to the snow. But they were plowing the road from the Steel Visitors Center to the Rim Village and Crater Lake Lodge which normally have spectacular views of Crater Lake.

Our disappointing view at the Rim atop Crater Lake

We saw a flyer for this Historic Hotel and may give it a try next time we go to Crater Lake from Oregon. If you want to see some beautiful photos and information about Crater Lake check out this site.

We stopped into the Rim Visitors Center, Store and Cafe and drove past the Crater Lake Lodge which was open but very quiet. Luckily we had been to the lake in summer about 20 years ago, but we will be back! We drove out of the park and headed towards Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Beautiful fall foliage

Looking out at the beautiful sky & pasture land on the way to Klamath Falls

Klamath Falls was not nearly as busy as the town I remember from my Southern Pacific days visiting there for work. But the Klamath upper and lower lakes are very pretty and we had a great dinner at the local pub, Klamath Basin Brewing Company. Best fries I can remember and great Rib Platter and many good beers on tap. Bob really liked their Notch Eight IPA, I was driving.

Leaving Klamath Falls until we reached I5, we had some rain, but also some beautiful views.

Rainbows along Highway 62 heading toward I5

Our trip home was long with terrible weather from Weed, CA until we got down to Corning on I5. The storm hit northern California and we had lots of wind and rain. Three big rigs jack-knifed on the windy I5 it what seemed like 25 miles. It was evident that some of the trucks were going way to fast for that weather. Originally, we had thought about extending the trip from Klamath Falls either by staying in Shasta City or going over to the California coast but the weather deterred us, so we carried on home.

So much rain!

Well, sadly all good trips must come to an end so you can take time to plan another one! Also, I need time to finish the Galapagos Island posts.

Start Hyw 89 series | Start Peru series | Start Galapagos series | Start Remodel series |

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Beautiful Highway 89 North from Truckee, CA. We left Truckee searching for beautiful fall colors and new destinations for us. Driving north towards Hobart Mills, thru the small cattle town of Sierraville, on to Graeale a golfers retreat, Quincy and Keddie. We had been this far in the past.

Small creek from Lake Almanor heading to the Feather River along Hyw 89

We continued on to Lake Almanor. A large lake with many access points and looks like it will require a return visit for kayaking next spring.

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Lake Almanor near the dam. A much larger lake than we expected.
Onward on Hwy 89, to the Scenic Volcano Legacy highway which leads into and out of Lassen Volcano National Park.

First view of Mt. Lassen in the background

Starting at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitors Center we oriented ourselves and set out to explore the park.

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First stop, ‘Sulphur Works’ to see the boiling mud pots which were very close to the road. Prior to the 1952 purchase of this area from the Supan family it had been a bathhouse and dining hall since 1865.

The Supan family operated a resort and dining hall

A sulfuric mud pot

We had a picnic at Lake Helen which is at the base of Lassen Peak.

Lake Helen

Lake Helen with Mt. Lassen in the background

Next stop was the Bumpass Hell parking area, overlook and trailhead. The trail is about 1.5 miles down to a great boardwalk thru the geothermal area. Then, be prepared for 1.5 miles back up, but well worth the hike. You may notice the altitude as the trail starts at 8,000 feet.

Trail view over Lassen Park

Beautiful stream, looking down from the trail

The mountains seem to go on forever

Looking down to see Bumpass Hell boardwalks

Making our way down to the boardwalks

One of the boiling pots

On the boardwalks

A large hydro thermal pool

We stopped at various view points on the 32 mile road thru the park.

Sun streaming in

More views of the park

Lassen Peak trail, see it?

Traditional Mt. Lassen shot with the snow

Our last areas were called ‘Devastated Area’ and ‘Chaos Crags’ and ‘Jumbles’ which helped to show the power of the volcanic eruptions in the 1800’s and 1914!

Moon over Chaos Craig Mountain area

Jumbles Scenic pullout – rocks piled up to 300 ft deep, rocks were blasted out of mountain at 100 MPH during the eruptions in 1914 and 1915

A beautiful park which definitely needs more exploration and hiking. We didn’t realize that we could have downloaded an audio guide to all the points of interest before we went to the park. Most of the part did not have cell service. Go here to download the audio guide to your phone before going to Lassen Volcano National Park.

We continued north on Hwy 89 along the beautiful Hat Creek and it’s watershed area. We turned onto Hwy 299 to spend the night at Burney, CA before we will continue north on Hwy 89.

Mostly an RV town with a few hotels. We stayed at the Charms Motor Lodge which was basic but clean, remodeled and good for the night. Tomorrow, we visit Burney Falls.

Henry's Foxhole "aka Fuxagufer West"

Henry's Fuxagufer West-our life, travels & friends!

Tag Archives: Fall Color

Fall Roadtrip..Crater Lake, Klamath Falls and home

Fall Roadtrip..Hwy 89 North