Cascade Summit/Crescent, Commentary, Front Page, Outdoors

Rob DeHarpport’s outdoor report: Savor those August moments of smoke-free mountain air

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cultus lake,lodge patio,rob deharpport
Guests enjoying lunch, great view and friendly service on the patio at Cultus Lake Resort. Rob DeHarpport photo

By ROB DeHARPPPORT/For The Herald — It was great to awaken to clear blue skies here this morning, Aug. 6, near Crescent Lake. As in many areas within and far beyond our Highway 58 corridor we’ve been choking on smoke or stuck inside, wishing and hoping for rain to help extinguish the many forest fires.

lava lake,resort,south sister,rob deharpport
An algae-free Lava Lake and a view of the South Sister await guests at Lava Lake Resort. Rob DeHarpport photo

A huge thank-you to all the firefighters and support crews battling this season’s many fires. It’s a tough and dangerous job.

So here we are, another smoky summer. Sadly, the fires and smoke have become as predictable as realizing that it’s the last part of summer as we roll through August. Many of us realize at this time of year that if we don’t grab a big armful of it and savor it, it’ll be gone before we know it. So, we’re resolved to enjoy every last bit of it.

What to do? Of course, that depends on the time available for recreation and our desired form of recreation — fishing, bowhunting, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, camping or just plain relaxing at our favorite spot.

Considering the current fire dangers and smoke, it’s a good idea to know where the fires are located and the direction that the smoke is forecasted to blow prior to making plans.

Lava Lake store,resort,rob deharpport
Lava Lake Resort offers a full hookup RV park, store, marina, boat rentals and a U.S. Forest Service campground next door. Rob DeHarpport photo

Flexibility and having options of where to go and what activity you choose to enjoy is a fact of life with the fire and smoke situations impacting the entire northwest.

I depend on Ryan Weather.com and NOAA Crescent Lake, OR for my weather and smoke predictions. There are other sources as well. Often the smoke may be nonexistent one moment and suddenly the winds change and ” cough, cough,” we’re choking on it and our view is ruined. Ugh.

High temps are predicted again through mid-August. Plan accordingly.

So far this summer, the high lakes seem to have escaped the terrible smoke-filled days with a few exceptions such as yesterday, Thursday Aug. 5, and Wednesday Aug. 4. The mosquito numbers have been declining as summer progresses.

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A well-tended flower garden greets visitors to Lava Lake Lodge. Rob DeHarpport photo

Therefore the Waldo Lake Basin offers miles of trails to hike or mountain-bike as well as some of the purest water in the world to paddle a canoe or kayak on.

Fishing has improved at Odell Lake, which is still algae-free.

Crescent Lake is low and dropping to its natural level quickly. There is still a lot of water to fish and enjoy water sports at Crescent, with much more acreage of beach to enjoy.

Diamond Lake has been good for nice-sized trout. Paulina is still producing good-sized limits of kokanee as well. I was at Lava Lake and Cultus Lake today, Aug. 6. Lava has cleared of the algae bloom, fishing at Lava and Little Lava should be improving. Cultus Lake is very popular for water sports this time of year.

Another option many prefer as an escape from the heat and smoke is the Oregon Coast. The coho fishing offshore has been lights-out.

There is no time to lament the heat and smoke. Be flexible in your plans and options, get out and enjoy what’s left of summer as it will soon be gone. Make some summer memories!

Rob DeHarpport, former mayor of Westfir, moved to the Crescent Lake community in 2015 shortly after retiring from a 31-year career in the trucking industry.

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