Tonelli's Travels

Our first full day at Crater Lake we woke early and enjoyed a quiet drive around the rim. It was sunny and a brisk 42 degrees, a slight breeze swirling around. Time for a hike!

Mount Scott, the tallest point in the park, is located on the northeast side of the park. I chose it because I knew it would be quiet. We claimed a spot in the small parking lot and headed out through the meadow. We welcomed the forest ahead to help break the breeze and warm us up a bit. 

We started up the first switchback, a long gentle climb through the forest and around the mountain. The forest was sparsely treed and the drop off on the right hand side aggravated my mom’s hikers vertigo. She tried to press on, but the path only became narrower. While disappointed she had to turn back, we also know it was the right call. She had packed her book and drawing materials just in case, so she wouldn’t be bored. Good planning Mom!

My dad and I continued on, slowly climbing to the 8,927 foot peak. The air was a little thin, but we took our time and enjoyed the views. It was a bit hazy first thing, but layers of mountains could still be seen in the distance. 

The trail was surrounded by pumice, light airy rock for past volcanic eruptions. Beige, gray, golden, it was sprinkled everywhere. Pumice doesn’t hold much moisture, nor does it contain many minerals or nutrients, so the trees were short and scarce. The wildflowers were abundant though, resilient plants bringing life to every nook and cranny they could. 

When we reached the summit, Crater Lake glistened beautifully blue down below. You could see its full glory, the whole shape of it. We found a quiet spot to rest on the far side of the old fire tower and settled down to enjoy. My rock perch was the perfect viewing spot. 

As we snacked, orange butterflies started to swirl around us. They came up the backside of the mountain, flew over our heads, and twirled around down the other side. They seemed to be having fun riding the air currents. One group came, then another, and another, nearly a constant stream of butterflies. 

As we sat admiring them, a young woman came around to our viewing spot.  We started chatting about my Skida hat and it turned out she was from Massachusetts! Better yet, she grew up in Holliston, Ma. That’s the town over from where I worked in Massachusetts – small world! She was living and studying in Oregon, hoping one day to be an OT working in schools. It was meant to be that we “hiked” into each other. We chatted about all things New England, exchanged hiking suggestions, and felt warmed by the meeting and conversation. 

Soon after she left, we headed out too so we could connect with my mom. But our journey was delayed because as soon as we left the very peak, we were in a super highway of butterflies! Orange California Tortoiseshell butterflies danced, zoomed, and swirled all around us. Thousands of butterflies on trees and rocks and snow, thousands of butterflies flying past us and sometimes into us. It was so incredibly magical. One even booped me on the nose. 

We were frozen, awestruck by the magic of the moment. Butterflies everywhere we looked. And as we headed down the trail, they hiked with us, enjoying the sunshine and breeze. They likely are migrating south to Mexico. We are so luckily to have experienced the miracle in person. 

As we moseyed on, I could help but giggled and twirl. I was hiking in a highway of butterflies! There were just so many of them. A truly special moment indeed. Even when we arrived back at the van, a smaller cohort were fluttering around, giving all of us a chance to experience their magic. 

When we said goodbye to the butterflies, we drove to a lookout for another view of the lake, and then headed down the curvy road to our campground. Before we called it for the day, we stopped back at the visitors center so my mom and I could walk the wildflower garden. Along the stream, at the edge of the forest, was a beautiful rainbow of pinks, yellow, purples. We saw plentiful Lewis Monkeyflower and Biscot. An extra treat on an already wonderful day. 

That evening we attempted to do laundry, but the machines were broken. Oh well. I enjoyed a hot shower instead and a restful swing in the hammock. This day was quite possible the number one highlight of the trip.