The Amazing, Uncrowded Alternative to Crater Lake National Park

In this video I head to Oregon and visit a place that I'd never heard of until I spotted it on the map, but it turned out to be an absolute gem!
DATE FILMED: Mid-October 2024
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GPS COORDINATES, etc.
** Paulina Peak Viewpoint: 43.689553, -121.254611
** Mt. Hood video: • Climbing One of Americ...
** The spires I climbed: 43.692240, -121.256830
** Obsidian Flow Trail (start): 43.706353, -121.235860
** Paulina Falls: 43.712539, -121.282479
** Peter Skene Ogden Trail: I parked at 43.71095, -121.32255 and walked west along the dirt road and eventually went down to the creek and crossed it. I got on the actual Peter Skene Ogden trail at 43.71334, -121.34829 and hiked it for just under 3 miles to the bridge across the creek at 43.712896, -121.313152, and from there I hiked back to where I parked.
** Campsite: 43.70983, -121.38026
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** My other KZbin channel: / tenkaraaddict
#adventure #travel #camping

[@susans8539]

This is the kind of format that interests me. I enjoy the variety; hiking, climbing, etc…. Great vid, thanks Tristan!

[@SUVRVing]

Great, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@kevinstarski1598]

I like Tristan because of his calm demeanor and his desire to explore variety of things. While some simply hike this highest mountain in one area like nothing else exists in the world he goes to all sorts of points of interest, tries to learn the history, is inquisitive and so on...would love to have a hiking partner like that (if i could keep up lol)

[@kjkayjay]

I really liked that gnarly old tree at the lava flow. And all the waterfalls of course!

[@michaelschuetz2427]

I love all the detail you put into your videos. Great scrambling talents you have.

[@grangranzulaski1084]

Seeing all the Mts. on a clear day is so beautiful. Central Oregon around the Bend area is the second largest Juniper forest in the world. There are so many things to see in that area. If you travel to Sisters Orregon not far from Ben, . You take an road North of Sisters and Fin the Source of the Is the Metolius River open for fishing? it comes out of a side of a rolling hills just gushing out. For years they had never found the source of the river. It just roars out of the side of the hills. A really beautiful sight.

[@Brigitte-j5h]

Great video and thanks for showing us new places in Oregon to visit. One I'd like to suggest to people is The Lava Cast Forest near Bend, Oregon. It's an amazing area of Lava fields with casts of trees that burned but they had so much water in them that even as the trees were burning due to the Lava, that they left impressions of the tree trunks in the lava flow. Very cool.

[@michaelsonleitner5724]

Thank you Tristan for taking us where we can’t go! Bless you and safe travels!

[@conniewojahn6445]

Thanks to your ambition, enthusiasm, and athletic ability, viewers like me are treated to fantastic views. You're welcome in Oregon anytime.

[@stevescramo592]

Spiderman at it again...beautiful views...

[@Neil_n_Lisa_Adventure_Channel]

I can't believe you posted this video as we're headed to Bend, OR, for a week this May and didn't know about this place until now! We're also hitting Mt. Lassen & the Lava Beds N.M. on the way, so it's turning out to be a volcanic vacation! Also, Paulina Falls will pair nicely with Silver Falls State Park as we also love waterfalls. Thank you, once again!

[@aubreyleonae4108]

Great video, great place. Obsidian from Newberry was prized by the Indigenous people for it's exceptional quality and was traded all over, way back into the Midwest. By comparison the obsidian found near The Lava Beds Nat Mt in northern California ( Modoc Indian War 1873 site ) ( a very short distance away from Newberry ) was not suitable for arrowheads etc. Arrowheads found most anywhere in the U.S. can be traced to the origin by analyzing composition in the lab.

[@SUVRVing]

That's fascinating! Thanks for the info 👍

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Thanx 4 extra details!

[@shaynejenkins446]

Yellowstone obsidian is a lot more pure.

[@aubreyleonae4108]

@ thanks

[@mikealvarado654]

Hey Tristan 👋 welcome to oregon. It's pronounced with a long I. Paw-lye- nuh. Paulina was an native American chief. The three sisters are, Faith ,Hope, and Charity. Enjoy Oregon!

[@mastpg]

Hard I...long I isn't a thing.

[@its_jjk]

Oregonians favorite past time is correcting pronunciation

[@barbaraday9297]

❤❤❤

[@Cooper1]

@@mastpglong I is definitely a thing. Hard I is an uncommon term but actually refers to a short I. A quick google search will help, e.g…. A "long i" refers to the sound of the letter "i" when pronounced as its name, like in "kite" or "ice," while a "hard i" is not a standard term, but could be interpreted as the short "i" sound, like in "bit" or "sit," where the tongue position is slightly lower and the sound is shorter

[@LuvGd2]

Thanks for clarifying that! I love Oregon!

[@jeffMinnesota952]

very nice, especially the drone video from the top of the spines, glad you could drone there, thanks for sharing...

[@steveh.5055]

The mile- long lava tube near the Newberry visitor center on US 97 is another great hike to do!

[@kev4241]

yeah that rings a bell. remembering Newberry crater as a great visit decades back

[@sharondavis8003]

Loved the multi faceted hiking/climbing video , Tristan. You totally find the most interesting & beautiful places to visit. Gorgeous waterfalls & craggy peaks for you to climb. All who want fun adventures follow Tristan & the red backpack 🎒. ❤❤😊

[@kellyjohnson3617]

I grew up in WA and OR and can’t believe I never heard of this place. Thanks for visiting it for us. I will have to check it out next time I’m up there. Oregon has lots of lava flows which makes sense cuz of all the volcanoes. I got to see a huge obsidian lava flow just east of lava beds national monument. I wish I had a high clearance 4wd vehicle to further explore it. Thanks for sharing this place.

[@joycewingate]

I love your videos!!! I may never get to see where you’ve been by myself so it’s like traveling along with you in your videos. THANK YOU!!!

[@SUVRVing]

Thank you for watching!

[@kblaine123]

Thanks Tristan.....always great to see the western USA through your lens.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks!

[@1717jbs]

Outstanding! Thanks.

[@pjreads5014]

The obsidian was just amazing! The waterfalls were, too.

[@carolpadgett8618]

Thanks for exploring Oregon! We love it! ❤

[@ruinsandridges]

Wow! Awesome video! My favorite parts were the climb up the pinnacle, the drone footage, the huge chunks of obsidian, and the waterfalls. That area reminds me a lot of Flagstaff, Arizona with all the little cinder cones. Again, thank you for sharing!

[@SUVRVing]

I can see the Flagstaff resemblance! Thanks as always for watching!

[@ceceliaroberts1475]

I love it when you take us to places we will never go. That Obsidian Flow is massive compared to those trees. I wonder what the viscosity was when it was flowing. The waterfalls were beautiful!

[@skibum6220]

It was a very low viscosity, and very slow moving eruption. The most recent lava flow in Oregon and a hot spot for indigenous activity taking advantage of the obsidian for tool making. An amazing place to visit! The hot springs on the east side of Paulina Lake are very cool. Small but sitting in them looking across the lake at Paulina Peak is an experience for sure!

[@ceceliaroberts1475]

@@skibum6220 Oh, Thank-you! I am an arm chair enthusiast, never expected some one to answer , thank-you again!😁

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

​@@skibum6220So, they are cool hot springs, as in not very warm?

[@skibum6220]

@ oh no, they are actually very hot. Just a very cool (😎) place to hangout!

[@BrendaHaltom]

Great Oregon hike Tristan! Great waterfalls!😅😅😅❤

[@Jax4umalta]

When I was a young girl, my sister lived in the grants Pass area and we would explore Oregon. She lived in the mountains and we would take the horses up on top of the mountains in the logging trails. I miss that area so much. We did make it up to crater Lake, but mostly explored southern Oregon and northern California. I’ll make it back there one day. That lava flow was so cool. I would love to see that in person and those waterfalls were breathtaking. Thanks, Tristan. Cheers, my friend.

[@markg3025]

A whole package of awesome, from the view to the spontaneous climb. A great start to the New Year.

[@michelleharrell8452]

The Waterfalls were so beautiful. So impressive they are. Cooling on a hot day.

[@bradlyscotunes9156]

Thanx! Hav driven Hwy. 97 Wa.-Cal.numerous times; did not know all that was there!

[@CynthiaYackenchick]

Wow, your trust in the natural world amazes me. Knowing your ability and environment is a skill. Thanks for taking us along on your challenging beautiful adventures!

[@cherylmiller-day5932]

Loved everything about the adventure today😍Thanks Tristan 👌

[@sacredstonecards9051]

Thank you.😊

[@lalapeluso]

Thank you, Tristan!

[@johnlyngdal8601]

Another welcome to Oregon from a nearly 7 decade resident. Another wonderful video of a state that I hold dear. I hope Hwy 242 was open during your visit so that you could drive through some epic lava flows on your travels. I've been amiss having never hiked the Peter Skene Ogden trail, but I'll try to remedy that situation this summer.

[@mariawalsh335]

Thanks for sharing your time and your adventures 😊

[@DamonVagabond]

I love me some Oregon. Thanks again Tristan.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching!

[@teresajgregory]

You are multitalented and make everything look so easy! Great climbing skills! Spectacular scenery! The obsidian is pretty cool too 😮

[@BrendaHaltom]

Can't believe all that Obsidean😮

[@dmdavis4551]

I would never get to see these wonders of nature if it weren't for you. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@myjourneysinfaith]

Wow. Beautiful

[@leonardmclaughlin8506]

Dang man , I'm like holding my breath when you're climbing like that . Holy moly.

[@georgecorreia5314]

Thank you for the video

[@kimprocarione5473]

What a great place to visit! So much to see and do so close together!

[@samanthadodd8112]

The opening shots.... WOW.

[@raymondsmith9922]

My wife and I go there every winter and have visited all the places you show in this video many times while snowmobiling and have stopped by during the summer on motorcycle trips. Paulina Peak during the winter is phenomenal with cauliflower snow/ice formations on the trees and other wind developed snow and ice sculptures. Amazing and beautiful place! Great video! Thanks

[@lindajcope]

Fabulous video. Beautiful scenery, waterfalls and history with the lava flow. I so miss being able to take hikes like that. I am a nature lover who has been blessed to live long enough to be to old to do them. But I still love seeing all the beauty of this earth. Thank you for bringing to us.

[@BrendaHaltom]

That gnarled tree was interesting!!😮

[@WEHenry]

Don't you know banging your head on rocks hurt🤣 enjoyed the views, Thanks👍

[@SUVRVing]

I've got to keep that in mind!

[@richardplunk3910]

Great climb 👍🍺

[@EmotoOregon]

Feel lucky to grow up in Central Oregon before youtube. Still so many cool places i refuse to share. Btw you totally pronounced Paulina wrong.

[@joyouslily2982]

What an enjoyable hidden gem!💎 Tristan , this old lady cringes when you climb those rocky heights and I think “OMG he’s crazy!” 😂

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Looks like a place worth visiting someday.

[@GamerHiker-yb4uc]

One of my favorite places! There are so many amazing places in Oregon, from mountains to coast. Hope to see more of the area in your videos!

[@karakoppanyi3845]

Excellent video. The lava flow was fascinating. I can’t believe those huge boulders of obsidian!!

[@meredithfritz3386]

I think my Polaroid was taken on this trip! Excited to see Chush falls hopefully 😊

[@Mark-cg2bg]

Ow...damn, that hurt MY head when you thumped that rock. Thanks for your sacrifice for some truly great videos!

[@llorylloyd]

thanks for taking us on another peaceful adventure full of natural pure beauty... those waterfalls ❤

[@suzanneb7372]

So enjoy your adventures! What a beautiful hike and loved the incredible pinnacle view!!

[@17119kimmer]

Another great adventure escaping crowds and enjoying the natural world. Love all the sights, sounds and wonder of nature. Sorry you hit your head. Dang rock! Lol,

[@manfredstrappen7491]

It’s crowded now in summer.

[@yoterryh_JTH]

Love that place! One of my favorites in Oregon. Nice video.

[@don_sharon]

Another awesome video. With the crowds in recent years, I’m torn between keeping these gems somewhat protected versus telling the world all about them. Not too many visitors respect these places and the communities that surround them. Anyway, thanks for sharing.

[@AprilRoseNW]

Loved this video the wilderness is beautiful.

[@beckystever2003]

Welcome to Oregon!

[@kaykaykayak9368]

Love it and love rocks!!!Thanks again for another great video!!!❤

[@jacxloon7646]

Wonderfull, thanks for bring me along

[@gretchenbillings1402]

We went in September..not many people.. beautiful weather..I'll probably go again this year

[@guylamullins3602]

Love it! I remember being there at some point between 1981 and 1987. Its a great place to walk and camp.

[@waynekraft7591]

Comment from an Oregon-born geezer: I first visited this area in around 1960 on a family deer hunting trip. I recall the pile of obsidian. This was before restrictions on taking obsidian and I probably still have some from that trip in my attic somewhere. I recall my grandfather remarking that it seemed you could haul obsidian away from there with a dump truck for years and hardly make a dent in the shiny rock supply. I have been back a few times over the years, but probably not since 1990 or so. You have put it on my list for this summer.

[@Bartw101]

Well done as always, Tristan. I truly look forward to your videos. GPS coordinates are EXTREMELY appreciated!

[@kaywilliams2817]

The minute I saw this, I knew it was Newberry Crater. Went camping there on the 4th of July years ago and got snowed on. I love living in Central Oregon.

[@thegzak]

Nice find! Never heard of it, I’ll add it to my list

[@debiebrumley3104]

loved it all !

[@raelene9703]

Thanks Tristan. I grew up in Central Oregon. Namely Prineville. My daughter lives in Metolius and has a panoramic view of the Cascades from Mt Hood all the way down past the 3 Sisters. Mt Jefferson my favorite. Enjoy this area its spectacular

[@alicial6072]

Great places to visit, the trail with all the waterfalls was beautiful, the lava flow was neat as well. When I was in Kauai in 1988 there was an active volcano (I believe it still is flowing) the flow was about 50 feet from someone's house and on the day we went past they had their laundry out on the line about 25 feet away, it spared them their home like it spared the trees at this flow.

[@carol-n6i5p]

One of my favorite places. Discovered it about 15 yrs ago and spent a chilly night in a tent by one of the lakes. Woke up to a small earthquake early in the morning. Fun time on the obsidian trail but not recommended for dogs - really sharp rocks.

[@rosettathompson2283]

Well, it looks like I will be adding another adventure to my bucket list! It is hard to keep up with this young man...but I love trying! ROAD TRIP!!!

[@MrCdn613]

That tree in the lava flow was epic. Natural bonsaï tree basically 🤩

[@toddshook1765]

Climbing views always get me. Watefalls are amazing. Thanks for sharing the trail. Will make a place on bucket list.

[@douglasmcbryan3705]

We live in British Columbia and go to Prineville, Oregon every spring. Usually go to the John Day Fossil Beds. We are going to stay an extra day and go to Newberry also. Thankyou for sharing. Nancy

[@333jsh]

Jealous! I live in Prineville and want to move to British Columbia! Haha cheers

[@davidbones8947]

Great vid my back yard love it it great job Thanks

[@pamengland7863]

This is an amazing spot. I’ve been able to see some of the Bend area & the one time I made it to Crater Lake it was June & totally snowed in. It was crazy. This is now surely on my list. What a great find. So many treasures in the PNW. I know you’re planning to stick around your home base this year but so glad you found this spot first!

[@johnstilbert3772]

I live in the area, and it's a fan-fav for visitors, so I've been there 8-10 times. I've only been there in the summer, but they have a snowmobile tour in the winter that I thought would be fun. Definitely more people in the summer, but they tend to congregate lake-side. BTW, if you hike around Paulina Lake in a counter-clockwise direction, about 1/3 of the way around you will come upon some hot springs which bubble up along the shoreline.

[@gaywalker4387]

What an absolutely delightful experience you shared today! That obsidian lava flow was amazing!

[@Soundbrigade]

We’ve been to Crater Lake twice. We were totally blown out coming there one early morning rushing to the barrier and …..WOW! During our tour through Oregon, we have been visiting many volcanic places and even drove up to Newberry volcanic monument, but me being scared by heights just barely made it (at least we were driving a 4X4). Just amazing visiting all these volcanic places!

[@thomasfouts2700]

Climbing that spire made my sphincter quiver! What a beautiful place and that trail with the waterfalls has me wanting to drive cross country to walk it. Thanks!

[@virginiajorgensen8614]

Yet another beautiful area and climb. Quite the view and lakes.

[@stevethompson8154]

My wife and I traveled from Bend to Crater Lake for the first time in Oct '23 and spend a little time at Newberry but we explored the area west of highway 97 about 15 miles south of Bend. We are going back and will add these new areas to our list. THANKS

[@charleshicks3492]

Excellent, loved every second; except for the rock scramble; haven’t done that in 50 years and only when I had to 🤩⭐️😎👍

[@lynnef3297]

Beautiful adventure ❣ I loved the views from the high spots and the waterfalls along the creek. My favorite part..hearing your laugh as you are enjoying your adventures. 😊👍

[@colleendaniels6409]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing Oregon with the world! I live nearby and I have to say that I love Newberry. However, if you've never seen Crater Lake you just have to wade through the tourists. It's too beautiful to miss. I live only an hour from Crater Lake and I still have to go at least once a month.

[@jameslutz5335]

I am totally going here! Thank you!

[@normaallred7568]

I loved that area, I was in awe of all the pines

[@fattone166]

Went there in the 80s, it looks about the same as I remember. Really cool area to explore. Thanks for the flashback!

[@maxlemmie1512]

great job🥰

[@PamArlint]

BEAUTIFUL GREAT COVERAGE 👍🏻🙏🏻😊☮️

[@ytubechannel997]

Wow another great video Tristan. Love the hike at the end with all the waterfalls.

[@orestesdominguez6924]

Tristan, as always Soo envious of your chosen profession, loved this video (all your videos for that matter) my wife and I have been there to Newberry National volcanic monument ( haha) but not on that beautiful waterfall trail only saw the Lava Butte . I suggest that you try using walking poles (sticks) for better stability while crossing stream or narrow rivers , for better safety. Again GREAT video, it brought back very good memories 👍👍

[@brilang71]

I was in Bend the weekend of Sept 28 and visited Lava Butte, a cinder cone with an impressive lava flow from a breach in the lava cone. Also tried to visit the Lava River Cave, but it had closed for the season. We also visited Crater Lake NP that week. Very interesting landscapes down there! Another neat spot was Lost Lake at approximately N 44° 26.045 W 121° 54.253. There are two lava tubes that the lake drains through.

[@jules9628]

Great video again! Also good to hear another person say something Ive thought for decades… “How did THAT rock,” or, “ALL THOSE ROCKS, get here or there” ?? Never voiced it but once to anyone. Many blasted up & moved from the Great Flood, & other reasons… Blessings to you & your family this new year.🙏

[@4estdweller4ever]

3rd Rock from the Sun! Awesome video. Loved it!! Gonna send to my backpacking friends ❤

[@RockAndGrohlMe]

Welcome back to Oregon! We also have lava tubes not too far from there. I attempted driving up to Paulina (paul EYE nah) Peak in my MDX, but started late in the afternoon. The views partway up the narrow, extreme vertical grade were spectacular, but I realized the sun would soon be setting with NO lighting and with barely enough room for a single vehicle! I got too worried about getting back down (I assumed trucks/cars would start heading down, so I somehow made about a 40-point-turn to get back down! 😂