Page 58 - Southern Oregon Magazine Summer 2019

the good life | adventure

ALONG THE

ROGUE RIVER

A Scenic Drive to Crater Lake

& by Jessica Pierson

s Crater Lake emerges from its winter snowpack in early sum-
mer, we can finally daydream of picnics along the rim, starry
Anight camping trips, and taking in breathless views from the
surrounding Cascades. Plans can be made to meet up with family and
friends and for getting outside and enjoying the outdoors. Fortunately,
for us in Southern Oregon, getting to Crater Lake is a pretty straight-
forward drive north from Medford on Highway 62.

Beginning at the intersection of Highways 99 and 238 in Medford,
Highway 62 (also called Crater Lake Highway) spans roughly 80 miles
from Medford to Crater Lake National Park. Between these two points
lies a literal gold mine of history, small town charm and astonishing
natural beauty. If you know where to stop along the way, you’ll find
that getting to there can be half the fun.

GETTING THE TRIP UNDERWAY
To begin your journey on Crater Lake Highway, a proper map is in
order. The best place to find this information is Harnish Park and
Visitor Center in Eagle Point. Located on Crater Lake Highway, it
is surrounded by grassy Harnish Park and bordered by Little Butte
Creek. The Visitor Center includes an Interpretive Center and the
Little Butte Creek Room. Be prepared to be drawn into the fascinating
history of the Eagle Point area as depicted in detailed historical murals
along the walls.

After you’ve gotten your bearings for the trip, there are
two more places to explore in Eagle Point. Heading into
the downtown area via Royal Avenue, you will come
across the Antelope Creek Bridge. Originally located
on nearby Antelope Creek, it was moved to its current
location over Little Butte Creek in 1987. While walking
through the bridge, take time to admire the queenpost
construction of the bridge. This type of architecture
allows for a longer bridge span as a horizontal beam can
be laid across the twin posts on either side.

A five-minute walk northeast of the bridge along Little
Butte Creek leads you to the site of the historic Butte
Creek Mill. Before it was destroyed by a Christmas Day fire in 2015, Antelope Creek Bridge
Queenpost Construction
it was the last remaining operational water-powered grist mill west of
the Mississippi River. Fundraising and rebuilding efforts by the Butte
Creek Mill Foundation have been underway since the fire. The building

56 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2019