Part 2: Zip-Dip-Sip, Hike, & Dine (Read Part 1 here)
Crater Lake, the deepest (and many think the most beautiful) lake in the United States, offers opportunities for both mountain hiking and scenic drives. Medford, situated in southern Oregon, serves as a central location for visitors wishing to explore this stunning natural landmark.
Crater Lake
We have visited many of the national parks in the US, and Crater Lake National Park is a must-see! Starting in Medford, there are great places to stop and enjoy on the drive. The first stop was just an hour from our hotel in Medford to the trail to Pearsony Falls. Take the ½-mile walk through the forest to drink in the view of the falls.
In another 15 minutes, we arrived at the Natural Bridge Trail. This is truly a fascinating geological wonder that is accessible on a short hike on the Upper Rogue Trail (total 0.60 miles). You will see the Rogue River briefly disappear as it plunges into an ancient lava tube and runs underground, creating a natural bridge and a hidden, underground river.
Are we there yet? Not yet. However, there was a long debate about whether we should stop at Beckie’s Café, a mere four-minute drive. They have been serving their famous daily-made pies since 1926. However, we were on a mission to get to Crater Lake without further delay.
The pristine blue Crater Lake was formed in the collapsed volcano (caldera) of Mount Mazama 7,700 years ago. This is the deepest lake in the United States, over 1,990 feet in depth. We could honestly sit down and stare at this wonder for hours. We actually saw people who cried with joy at seeing such beauty.
You can have lunch on an outdoor bench or indulge in a delicious meal at the lodge. Explore local hikes, drive around the lake's rim, or join a trolley tour.
Take a Hike
Want a short hike with views of the local mountains? Lower Table Rockis a total of 3.5 miles out and back and a gain of 850 feet. At the top, you get views of nearby Mount McLoughlin (over 9400 feet), the Siskiyou Mountain. For a special treat, go for a sunrise hike; the colors are gorgeous. Another hike, a little further north, is the trail to Upper Table Rock,and it is similar in miles. There are many other hikesor biking routes to check out in the area. Most of these are a short drive from Medford.
Start the day zipping 36 mph through the forest canopy secured on a cable. Rogue Valley Zipline Adventuresand their certified guides will safely guide you through five different courses. I was initially apprehensive about dangling from the cable, but we spent a lot of time discussing all the safety features. Don’t worry, the first course on the cable is a nice, slow introduction, then you pick up speed as you proceed through the courses. After ziplining, we earned a nice lunch break.
The second stage for the day was a dip. The experienced and professional guides of the Rogue Rafting Companyprovided lots of interesting history and naturalist information as we floated down the mellow Rogue River. However, near the end of this several-hour journey covering seven miles, we hit some wild class 4 rapids. Be prepared to get wet through these rapids, Gold Nugget Falls, followed by Tilomik Falls (also known as Powerhouse). No experience is needed for this, just experience the fun!
Sip is the final (and calmest) stage of the day, and we enjoyed some delightful wine at Del Rio Vineyard Estate. We covered their wonderful wines in part 1.
Cuisine
Located in wine country, it is not surprising that you have a restaurant run by someone who has a great appreciation of wine. Owner Jessica Cahill grew up in Napa Valley and worked in her dad’s vineyard at times. This wine experience is now carried out through her career, obtaining multiple certificates in the wine industry, including Certified Sommelier. She has worked at several fine restaurants for many years as well for some wineries
She took this experience and started her restaurant in 2021 in Medford. She recently earned the Award of Excellence from the prestigious Wine Spectator.
How about the food? The gazpachosoup with heirloom tomatoes on this warm summer day was excellent. The main course of Filet Mignon, basted in thyme and butter, was outstanding. The tender steak was paired with the wonderful Irvine Roberts Pinot Noir, from nearby Ashland.
Get a haircut first and then stroll into the secret speakeasy (password required!!) Christopher Mesa is the owner of the Prestige Barbershop, which is the front of the stylish restaurant and bar. The décor is very early 1900’s and the food and creative craft cocktails were terrific. Check out their calendar so you can catch one of their burlesque shows! By the way, the haircut is optional!
We were there for one of their five-course winemaker's dinners. The highlight for me was the Fish, Chip, and Caviar, not your typical appetizers, but I would order it again. The delightful morsel of pan-seared sturgeon and caviar on a house-made potato chip went well with Sauvignon Blanc. We also really enjoyed the White Cheese Donut, with its savory deliciousness.
Other Restaurants
Many wineries bring in restaurants that cater for their events. We enjoyed salmon paired by Tap & Vine at 559 at an offsite event, and you can also visit their restaurant. For pizza lovers, The Allium Wood Fired Pizza hosts many events and has an elaborate kitchen set up at many outdoor events. Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub focuses on dine-in at their fun and colorful restaurant, where they also have one of the largest selections of Oregon beers and wines, but you can also order for carry-out or have it delivered.
We returned to our base at the Compass Hotel and reflected on these action-packed three days in the Rogue Valley. Trying to figure out what we missed out on. Returning to Crater Lake and visiting more wineries comes to mind for our next visit.
Editorial Disclosure: Travel and lodging were generously provided.
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