Rim Walk

Day 110-August 1st
Destination: Highway 138
Miles: 11 (plus 2 off trail miles)
Cumulative Miles: 1527.5

We awoke early and caught a glimpse of the sunrise over Crater Lake. Stepping out of the tent, Psycho took a few pictures before returning to the comfort of his warm down sleeping bag and catching two more hours of sleep. We would have stayed up, but we were in no rush today, as we knew our resupply package still hadn't arrived at Mazama Village.

After a breakfast with a postcard perfect view, we packed up and began hiking. Most of today's walk took us along the rim of Crater Lake. First we climbed around Hillman Peak (which we mistook for "The Watchman" yesterday). Passing around its red rock crags, we saw the towering hill that was actually "The Watchman."

When we approached the towering hill on the rim, one of the highest points along the rim, we chose to take a half-mile detour to the lookout tower at the top. Alone at the top, we took in a fantastic panorama which showed peaks as close as Mt. McLoughlin and Mt. Thielsen, as well as peaks as far as Mt. Shasta and Diamond Peak. Shortly after we began the half mile descent back to the trail, we started passing a large collective of day hikers making their way to the top. If we were ten minutes later, we would have had to share the view with ten plus heavily perfumed and cologned people. It's nice to find an ounce of solitude in an otherwise overrun natural landmark.

We continued our hike around the rim, constantly stopping to stare in wonder at the blue depths; a blue so rich one could get lost in it's crystal depth transfixed on thoughts of infinite complexity.

Before long, yet no long enough, we arrived at Crater Lake Lodge, and with it the plentiful hordes of visitors. Years before the discovery of Crater Lake by settlers, the Native Americans would intentionally steer settlers along paths that avoided the lake, in an attempt to preserve it's majestic, if not spiritual, beauty. It was eventually discovered by "white folk" and we have preserved it as best we could in this world... Sort of.

Hiking a quick 5 miles down to Mazama Village, we bought supplies for the next leg, as our resupply box hadn't arrived, and we wanted to keep moving. The worker at the Lodge was kind enough to print maps for us, so that we were not going blind, and the workers at Mazama Village store let us return some food when we realized the hiker box was bountiful.

Four hitches later we arrived back at Highway 138, where we started Sobo yesterday afternoon. We walked a quarter mile in from the road and set up camp just after sunset in the midst of a devilish symphony of whining mosquitoes.

---we would like to say thank you to all those who have helped us along the way with kind emails and care packages. Andrea, thanks for your regular motivational emails. Kristine thank you for the care package that we will eventually get to. Adrienne and Barbara, you rocked our world. Cody and DK, you help make our days easier. And of course thank you family, our most ardent supporters...packages, emails, liquor, and visits.

Trail Angels...You are our magical guardians.

Hiking for Cherryville Heartsongs
Visit our blog to find out how to donate
http://northboundheartsong.blogspot.com

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