Boundary Springs: Crater Lake National Park

(Click on any picture for larger view and slide show)

 

My oldest son Austin doesn't really care much for hiking. Especially when I have to tell him to "catch up" or "hurry up". He hates that. And I hate saying it. But the boy is usually slow and frankly, kinda out of shape. He's not overweight, he's just never been the most active kid.

 

Maybe, just maybe, today might be different....

 

I decided to take both of my sons on an easy 5.3 mile hike to Boundary Springs, the HEADWATERS and the very beginning of the ROGUE RIVER.

 

This was a scheduled Friends of the Umpqua hike. (The club hikes every other Saturday, everybody is welcome, you do not need to be a member to hike with them!)

 

We reached the Boundary Springs Trail at about 10:00am. The trail begins just outside the boundary of Crater Lake National Park, and crosses the boundary about a mile or so in. (I'm assuming this is where the name of the springs derived it's name from)

 

(This trail is easily accessed right off of Highway 230, just 5 miles south from the intersection of Highway 138 near Diamond Lake)

 



Let the march of the happy hikers begin!



 

John, who arranged the hike, directs the group to ensure no one goes astray.

 

The weather was FANTASTIC for a mid-November day. The blue skies and a warm sun made the hike so much more enjoyable than if it had been cold and rainy. This made both Austin and Colby quite happy.

 

 

The club traverses the only water crossing during the hike

 

Although there were no spectacular views of any mountains or large landscapes, the easy-going trail along the river through the thin trees was pleasant enough that such grandeur was not required.

 

 

The beautiful Rogue River in it's early stages

 

The trail maintained a fairly steady elevation, with only a few gradual hills, as it hugged the adolescent stages of the Rogue River. We crossed one dirt road and one small tributary on the journey to the start of this world-famous river.

 

 

A short break and photo op for the group

 

The group stayed fairly close as we trekked up the trail. And as usual, Richard O'Neill lagged behind, getting spectacular photos no doubt, as he typically does. However, being armed with all the latest in navigation equipment, he still managed to miss a critical left turn and ended up putting a tad more steps in than the rest of us.

 

Fortunately, Richard didn't stray too far and his portable technology guided him back on track. Admittedly, I would have to say I may have very well missed that turn myself, as it was not well marked. The trail signs in this area could certainly use a little updating!

 

 

 

No horses allowed.

That would defeat the purpose of hiking. 

 

 

Moss can be so... mossy. And pretty!

 

The hiking group eventually got to witness the birth of the mighty Rogue River as it spew forth from the side of a rather non-descript hillside, seemingly out of nowhere. Being the skeptic that I am, I was not convinced...

 

I proceeded further up the now not-so-well travel trail, looking for the origin of this divine source of water. I found none. The water really does just appear from an underground source of some sort.

 

Looking down-river from this spot,

I was actually standing at the very beginning of the Rogue River!

It just suddenly appears from the ground!

(See the next pic to see where I was standing when I took this photo)

 

Someone mentioned that they were expecting something much more spectacular, to which I said like what, like Old Faithful? I said if it was so spectacular-like, we'd have parked in a paved parking lot and walked just 50 feet to the spot where we are standing right now!

 

Meanwhile, I appreciated the rareness of this unique phenomenon. And the effort it took to get to this place. Quite amazing, I must admit.

 

The ABSOLUTE beginning of the Rogue!

The water literally comes straight out of the hillside at this exact spot.

Quite Amazing!

 

 

After being impressed with mother nature's underground wonder, the entire group had lunch on a sunlit hillside, feeling quite lucky to have such great weather. This must be a popular trail, as even on this November day, we encountered several other groups of hikers enjoying the trail.

 

We found a spot in the sun to enjoy lunch

 

Well, of course...

 

 

An amazing waterfall

 

 

The trail is well-maintained,

with varying scenery.

 

 

Contrary to the looks on their faces,

they said they actually enjoyed the hike!

 

 

The blue sky contributed to a fabulous day!

 

 

Green makes me happy!

 

On our way back, as myself, Austin and Colby approached the trailhead from where we started, I asked Austin what he thought. He said "I actually quite enjoyed it". I was surprised and pleased at the same time. (By the way, I had not, at any time during this hike, told him to "catch up" or "hurry up")

 

Wow. Two phenomenons in one day. Will wonders never cease?...

 

Two handsome young men