Page 78 - SOM Summer 2017

the good life | Southern EXPLOREGON
the good life | Southern EXPLOREGON

Crater Lake Rim down to McLaughlin and even Mt. Shasta to the Museum at the day use area. Paddle two-and-a-half miles up river to
south. There are a few low bridges here that require ducking down low the source. Along the way, check out the classic homes with weath-
as well as pythons to avoid, so it keeps you on your toes. This river is ered boathouses on the banks as well as old wooden farmhouses.
18 miles long, so it is typically broken into 3 sections: upper, middle After the retreat, the creek narrows and becomes very shallow with
and lower. The upper section is more scenic and stays near the forest. small trees lying in the water. Because it’s so shallow here, navigating
The middle section below Fort Klamath has some very low bridges can be a bit challenging, but hang in there since getting to the river’s
that may require portaging around. The lower section flows through source is well worth the trouble. There, spring water bubbles up into
pastureland and out into Agency Lake. For the upper section, put in the water from below, creating little mini gray sand volcanoes. Be
at Kimball Springs and take out at a day use area just north of Fort careful here if you exit the boat...the water is extremely cold and if
Klamath. Floating this section takes around three hours if you paddle you step into the volcano, it’s like quicksand! Turn around and pad-
at a leisurely pace. dle, flowing with the slow current, back to the day use area. This trip
is around two to three hours, paddling at a leisurely pace.
SPRING CREEK
If you are in the Wood River area, it’s fun to drive another 20 minutes Coming up on August 21 is the once-in-a lifetime solar eclipse event,
to Spring Creek, located near Chiloquin behind the Collier Logging and what better place to view it than on the shore of a quiet, pristine
museum. This river is like the Wood, with some of the clearest water mountain lake? Although the total eclipse takes place a few degrees
anywhere, and it literally glows yellow and turquoise in the sun! The north, viewing in Southern Oregon will still be spectacular. The
water clarity is around a phenomenal 50 feet. This river reminds me of eclipse begins at 10:15 a.m., so the sun will be well above the trees
the Smith River in that regard, but it is much safer for the novice pad- for viewing. Remember to follow viewing safety precautions to avoid
dler. Check out the ethereal luminescent mare’s eggs algae that grows harming your eyes.
in the big lagoon near the source. Put in behind the Collier Logging

76 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2017