Road Closed

Day 47, May 18, 1997

Brookings to W of Crater Lake, OR

374 km

We headed inland to visit Crater Lake and drive along the Rogue River scenic route. We were cutting across Oregon on small highways and a forest service road that was closed in the winter. We knew that the road around crater lake was still closed due to snow, but since our route was a lower elevation and it was the middle of May, we expected to get through.

After an hour and a quarter of driving along a narrow, tranquil road, we reached Bear Camp Road. It was closed. We decided to take a loop road to the same destination, rather than driving back to Brookings and around. When we arrived at our second choice route, it too was closed.

We began our drive back to the coast. Ralph was dejected, Erica was amused, and I was frustrated that I was going to have to drive back and around--we had lost more than two hours and several gallons of gas. In a funk, we stopped at a resort to empty our bladders.

I stepped into the shop and inquired about the road and other options. The proprietor told me that the contractors had finished clearing and repairing Bear Camp the previous day, and they were waiting for the forest service to come in on Monday (this was a Sunday) and inspect the road and declare it open. "About thirty cars have gone through today and I haven't heard anything, so I am assuming they got through," he said. He thought we could get through with the van, and added that he would take Bear Camp rather than the only other possible route.

So I got behind the wheel and headed for Bear Camp Road. It was paved, put narrow. Most of it was only one lane wide for two directions of traffic. Rough sections and holes had been repaired with gravel. Blind corners were abundant. It was a long, slow, drive--we gained at least 2000 feet and passed two motorcyclists and a car. On the way down the brakes began to small, even in low gear. By the time we got through two hours later, I was exhausted.

We got within 30 miles of Crater Lake and found a forest service site that was free. We made the $3 donation that was suggested and nestled ourselves in a big, private site along the swollen Rogue River.

Ralph in Oregon