Farewell, Trillium Lake

Trillium Lake is so beautiful reflecting Mount Hood that we just had to take one more hike around it this morning. We were hoping an early view would provide stunning pictures if the surface was smooth before the wind kicks up and before any people get out on the water. We were not disappointed. The water was like a mirror and made for some fantastic photo opportunities.

Hello, The Cove Palisades

Our next stop for a couple of nights is The Cove Palisades campground, which is located on the Crooked River down in a deep gorge. Before making the crooked drive down to the water, we decided to stop for lunch at a scenic pullout at the top. The landscape here is very different from our recent days of traveling through Oregon. The tall trees are gone. The endless sea of green plants are gone. The cool weather is gone. There is no mistaking that we are now in the high desert of Oregon. It’s midday, and it’s getting really, really hot. Our van’s external thermometer reads 116 degrees as we pull away from our parking spot to head to the campground but quickly descends into the 90s as we make our way to the road leading down into the canyon.

The drive down into the canyon is quite interesting. The switchback road descends 600 feet before crossing a narrow bridge over the river and then turns into another winding road to the campground.

While making the descent, we get a better view of the river. To paraphrase the song from Wicked!, the musical: “Like a froggy, ferny cabbage, the water is unnaturally…GREEN!”

There were several boats pulling skiers and tubers out on the water. There is no doubt that those in the water were getting more than their recommended daily dose of blue-green algae blooms.

We made it to the campgrounds and it was still HOT! Such a difference from the 50s and 60s temps we experienced during our days on the coast. Thank heavens for an electrical hookup here so we can run Usain’s AC at full blast. While the temps are way up, the humidity is way down compared to the coast. If we were in Iowa right now, we would be experiencing both high heat and high humidity, so we really can’t complain.

We spent most of the afternoon in the van, but ventured out in the evening for a short hike to one of the day use areas. The low humidity makes it quite pleasant once the sun starts to make its way west. We enjoyed looking at the tall cliffs and rocks towering above us while making sure our path was clear of any of those pesty rattlesnakes.

There was a beach and docks for boats to moor in the day area. We got there as most of the beach goers (looking sun worn) were packing up to head out for the day.