Crater Lake, Chiloquin, and Cabooses

This May my husband and I had the chance to see a bit more of our home state, including Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake. We met with his family, some traveling from Portland like ourselves and some from the front range of Colorado to celebrate his dad’s 60th birthday. The vacation rental in Chiloquin, Oregon was serene and secluded on a sparsely populated road with expansive views of Agency and Upper Klamath Lakes.

With the family all arriving Thursday evening we had a quiet night in, enjoying a shared meal and time to catchup before heading to bed.

Crater Lake

Friday morning we set out for snowshoeing at Crater Lake National Park, planning to rent from Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures. With the season being slower in the winter and spring months, plan on calling ahead to the rental spot as they typically don’t have staff there throughout the full day. They are quick to respond and can meet you there to provide rentals and advice for whatever activities you have in mind. At Sky Lakes we collected our snowshoes and trekking poles, and got some handy advice from the owner Brady to try out the Raven Trail at the park. Brady was very knowledgeable and was able to give us a few options to choose from for our snowshoe endeavors.

The Raven Trail at Crater Lake is roughly 2.5 miles long (out and back) with about 616 ft in elevation gain, most of which happens in the first 1.25 miles. We took it easy with plenty of stops to rest, reapply sunscreen, and refuel with snacks and water. The weather was perfect for the activity with very few clouds and plenty of sunshine, and a high of around 70 degree Fahrenheit.

For similar weather I would recommend bringing or wearing:

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Water
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Chapstick
• Light layer for warmth and sun protection
• Warmer layer in the case of unexpected snow or overcast weather
• Waterproof boots or sneakers
• Warm, sweat wicking socks (I love Smartwool for these sorts of activities)

The scenery along the trail is beautiful, surrounded by trees with occasional views of the bluffs above as you make your meandering ascent. This was my first snowshoeing adventure in about five years, and at about 6 months pregnant I found it to be very doable. Rest is key to tackling the elevation gain and I would recommend this for beginners.

While the journey itself is of course beautiful and well worth it, the real payoff is when you reach the halfway point, right at the rim of Crater Lake just next to the Crater Lake Lodge. With a massive view of the glassy Crater Lake, it is the perfect spot to stop for a longer rest and enjoy some packed lunch. It took us roughly 2.5 hours to cover the first 1.25 miles and 600+ ft in elevation gain going at a leisurely pace. We soaked in the views, ate our sandwiches, and enjoyed the payoff of feeling like we had earned the view.

My mother-in-law and I opted to rest up at the lodge while the rest of our group made their way back to the trailhead to grab the car, before coming to pick us up. With the second half of the hike being primarily downhill, they made it in just 40 minutes. After reuniting, we went to the Rim Visitor Center to pickup some warm coffee and additional snacks before our roughly one hour drive to the vacation rental in Chiloquin.

Train Mountain Railroad Museum

Our second big activity we had planned for the trip was to visit the Train Mountain Railroad Museum in Chiloquin. This unique spot boasts being the longest miniature railroad in the world, with over 32 miles of 7.5″ gauge track running through the area. The spot offers rail tours from mid-May through mid-October, taking you on a roughly half hour ride on a miniature train through various portions of the track. It was such a fun experience, with plenty of miniature villages and features along the route.

The Train Mountain Railroad Museum is one of those great spots where no matter your age you will have fun. The walking tour and train tour are both free though donations are gladly accepted and I promise it will feel well worth pitching in!

This was a perfect weekend escape to reconnect with my love of the outdoors and enjoy quality time with family. If you find yourself in this part of Oregon, please do yourself a favor and see Crater Lake, and with some extra time enjoy a relaxed train ride in Chiloquin.