Day R-1 (R for return), Monday, July 14, 2025 - Maupin to Klamath Falls

 Today was Half-Way Day – not in distance, but in time. It’s the 10^th day of a 19-day trip!

I left my Maupin cousins at 0713 local to head south on US-197. The climb-out of the Deschutes River valley is curvy; where I saw wheat fields in 2011, I see nothing but sage and juniper. A pull out at Criterion Summit provides a panorama of Cascade volcanic mountains and identifies them – I don’t stop.

I pick up US-97 about 20 mile out. I could see smoke from the Cram fire, now grown to 10,000 acres. It had earlier reached the hiway at mile marker 76, but that area is now clear. I stop in Madras for breakfast at the Black Bear Diner; the waffle is good but the service is bad enough that I leave no tip – wait staff needs to at least ask if you need anything and to drop off the check!

I top off the tank in Madras, as well, adding 10 gallons after a 400-mile run. $3.69/ is a deal around here! The road enters a broad valley, with a great view of the Three Sisters, Broken Top, Mt. Jefferson, etc. I continue south through busy towns of Redmond and Bend to visit Newberry National Volcanic Monument. It contains a large caldera with multiple lave flows and even a bus-ride to the top of a cinder cone – a lot more relaxing than driving up Capulin Volcano in New Mexico. I enjoy a great view from the top.

 

                    A view inside the crater of the cinder cone

Mountain in the distance

            Panorama - count the snowcaps

Now for a long drive south to the Crater Lake National Park turnoff. I endure the wait to get through the entry, as most folks had to stop & pay the fee. I have a lifetime Senior Pass I purchased at Ft. Larned back in 2006. Since we drove the west rim drive in 2011, I decide to take the east rim – it has some great views, as far as I geot before finding the road closed for construction, I backtrack, then take the west rim drive until I leave the park. Yes, I took lots of photos. Here’s a sample:

 

I finally get back to US-97 at 1500. It runs along the edge of Klamath Lake, making for some sporty driving. Found the HIE, grabbed supper at a next-door Chipotle, and retired to my room to write the blog.

For the day: 280.2 miles, for the trip 2314.7.

Tomorrow: Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park en route to Sparks, NV