Outdoor report: Get out and enjoy our wonderland before we’re driven indoors for the winter

By ROB DEHARPPORT/for The Herald  —  The “shoulder season” is upon us. That’s a phrase that the hospitality and tourism industry often use as we transition away from the nice sunny days of Summer and early Fall.

For folks who love the great outdoors, it’s a time to enjoy some solitude and peaceful times in our favorite places. Here in the Crescent Lake area where I live, the throngs of people who flock to the area during peak season are gone. Gone are the anglers looking for prized trout, gone are the hunters who pursued deer and elk. Gone are the mushroom pickers who filled the Little Odell Industrial camp while looking for Matsutake mushrooms.

We’ve had a brief taste of snow a week or ten days ago. Storms dumped 3-4″ of the white stuff a couple of times. It too is now gone. When it will return is anyone’s guess this year as El Nino returns. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for some decent snow to enjoy and keep our stream and aquafers healthy as well as for the snow skiers, snowmobilers, ski resorts and other Cascade resorts.

Fall fishing can be great at the few lakes that remain open all year. Be sure to carry your fishing regulation pamphlet with you as the rules and regulations often vary and change from year to year and at many lakes and streams.

Autumn colors will soon be gone as the brightly colored Fall  foliage drops to the ground. Colorful spawning Kokanee will be more difficult to locate and view as they complete their life cycle.

However, there are many opportunities to hike and explore or hop in the car and explore during these shoulder seasons. Deer are migrating, providing opportunities to view and photograph in and near Mule deer wintering grounds. Many roads will close soon in Mule deer wintering areas to protect them. The bucks will throw caution to the wind soon as the rut begins as they will be focusing on one thing- does.

Use caution on central Oregon highways as the migration to the desert is underway. If you

choose to look for migrating deer, check out Fort Rock, Crack in the Ground and Hole in the Ground if you’ve never seen these geologic wonders. Another opportunity for photographers -the Bald Eagles who concentrate along stream where Kokanee spawn or lake shore areas where Brook Trout are spawning. The key to getting great pictures is to walk quietly and slowly. This is true for both the eagles and deer.

Several deer and elk seasons remain and are coming up soon; bear season continues as well.

Another great place to visit this time of year is Crater Lake National Park sans the huge crowds. The Rim Dive is partially closed as are most food services etc… within the park at this time of year. I believe the North entrance may be closed. When entering from the south entrance, its worthwhile to detour a bit to the headwaters of the Rogue River.  The river gorge is spectacular and easily viewed from paved trails. While in the area lunch, dinner or huckleberry pie is a great treat at Beckie’s Restuarant and Pies.  As always, this time of year wherever you go be prepared for cold weather, snow and icy roads.

Speaking of roads, the Cascade Lakes Scenic Highway is scheduled close on November 15th. This weekend may be the last chance to drive  the entire length before Spring from the Crescent Cutoff road to Bend. It’s another great way to spend a fall day or weekend.

We live in a beautiful area. It matters not if you go for a short hike from home or drive a little, get out and enjoy the outdoors before the cold winter weather limits these opportunities.