Sunrise on Clearlake

On the way home from Camp Sherman, the ritual stop at Clearlake Resort for a quick hike around the far side of the lake to Great Spring and back down to Sahalie Falls. The weather was nigh perfect – and as I neared the pass, Mt Washington greeted the sun

After leaving the resort and crossing over the Mckenzie headwaters, the trail follows the lake’s edge. All around the lake duck-likes were everywhere in groups, in families and taking off running on the water …

The length of the runway is amazing …

Other birds were out as well … either 2 osprey or the same osprey twice paid a visit to the ‘resort’ end of the lake. I asked a couple of fisher-folks if they noticed the osprey flew off – no fish; go fish at other end of the lake!

A scope-armed birder was watching for bald eagles – he hadn’t seen any that day … yet.

Clearlake is aptly named; the water is pristine and visibility is much deeper than you’d think. The water, the sun and the trees to the waterline paint better than most and the camera a poor canvas capture gadget.

I think that single snag has been in a photo every Clearlake visit. The photo that took my breath, however, was a single beargrass bloom (click to open it)

The 1 hour hiked along the Mckenzie was peaceful and human-less … except for the 2 young men taking selfie at top of Sahalie Falls (if they fall, they die). That section on the far side of Clearlake to the Great Spring and through the lava flow is one of the best sunrise walks in Willamette National Forest.

The Route

Started at the resort heading downriver on the Clearlake trail. At the Mckenzie River Trail junction up-river to the Great Spring, and then back downriver to Sahalie Falls. The final return to the resort upriver.

Human traffic was null. Only fishing folks at the boat ramp and the two death wishers at Sahalie Falls (but across river from me).

All the carbon karma data was included in the Camp Sherman post.