Day trip to Crater Lake National Park, snowshoeing is optional

For many of us who've been here before, it's hard to describe to someone who hasn't, just how blue the blue is. Am I right?

And so we're off to Crater Lake--the deepest lake in North America! There's also much to see and do enroute. We'll stop at the Rogue River Gorge Interpretive Site, the Falls as well as the Natural Bridge--a point located along the upper reaches of the Rogue River, is where the magic happens. At this point, the Rogue River disappears underground into a 250-foot lava tube, with a small amount of water escaping from the tube, forming a pool under the bridge!

Come wintertime the national park and the surrounding area is magical. At the lake, the contrast of the blue water against the white of the snow is absolutely breathtaking.

General itinerary:
9:00 am Depart Midtown Yacht Club
11:30 Stop at Natural Bridge
12:30 Arrive southern entrance to Crater Lake NP: park/lake sightseeing, interpretive center, The Lodge, gift shop
4:00-5 Arrive Union Station, dine at Beckie's (its known for homemade fruit pies).
We should be back up in Bend ~ 7:00.

What to bring? microspikes just in case, if snowshoeing: snowshoes and trekking poles with snow baskets; gloves, a beanie, sunglasses (fingers crossed!). A small daypack with appropriate 10 Essentials, snacks, and water. I'll let you know the conditions there as we get closer.

I'll need a couple of drivers with "America the Beautiful" or similar passes to volunteer their vehicles. We all pitch in $10 for gas. It takes 2 hours to get there from the appointed rendezvous spot. *I have an "America the Beautiful" Pass that will waive the park entry fee for at least four of us in one vehicle.