Fort Rock and Xmas Valley

Yesterday (Tuesday?) we got on the road at 6:30 am and rode the 30 some odd miles to Fort Rock. It was a little chilly at first but there early turned out to be a great decision and definitely made the hike a more enjoyable experience. By the time we left at 9:30 it was beginning to get too hot for hiking.

Fort Rock is a state park formed around the ring of an ancient volcano. The entire area around Fort Rock and Christmas Valley is an ancient freshwater lakebed.

We spent an hour or so hiking and watching jackrabbits, chipmunks and lizards flee. This is an amazing place and well worth the visit. It has been used for millennia as an outpost that provides natural protection from the elements and other dangers.

About twenty years ago I had was on a crew and we did a job at the local dolomite plant. Dolomite is used for kitty litter / shop sweep etc and is actually fossilized fresh water organisms. While I was on that job I saw Fort Rock from a distance but could not visit. I always wanted to go back and investigate; mission accomplished.

There is a town of Fort Rock which is small even by Oregon Outback standards. There are two churches, one bar, a pioneer museum and a restaurant, none of which were open at 10:00 am.

Next stop, Christmas Valley. We had a late breakfast at a local lakefront lodge. The "lake" is more of a pond but is probably the biggest body of water for many miles. We enjoyed talking to our waitress who also tends bar in Fort Rock 30 miles away. Such is life in the outback. You do what you have to do.

Not much else to report really. We made it back to our motel in La Pine by 1:00 and spent the rest of the day in the air conditioned room watching Bonanza, deadliest catch and eating junk food.

Today we are getting a later start and will ride up to the top of Paulina Mountain to see the lakes.

After that we plan to head north.