hole-in-the-ground

This is truth in advertising, folks! Hole-in-the-Ground is exactly what it says it is. A very large hole... In the ground. That's it. Not much in the way of frills here!However! If you're like me and at all geeky with the geology and natural history stuff, you'll probably get a huge kick out of seeing it. There is a dirt road leading off of the highway to the area. It's not far, thank goodness, since the washboard road may rattle a few fillings loose if you aren't careful. There is no signage, restrooms, formal parking area, or much of anything. Just a great quiet place to take in some cool scenery, and if you're ambitious, take a hike to the bottom of an ancient caldera.

We went to Hole In The Ground, Oregon. About all we could say is: Wow!! However, not too far from there is a very interesting and little know geological destination: Crack In The GroundI would have written a review but tripadvisor doesn't list it, so:This "crack" runs for miles, it's between ground level (filled with drifting sand) to about thirty (30) feet deep. There is a dirt road from the highway and an ample parking lot, you can enter the "crack" in two directions, but the southerly direction is the most interesting. Although this is obviously a place where the ground has split, parts of the walls look like a hydro event has eroded pockets. The floor of the "crack" is composed of sand that has drifted in, quite smooth and easy for even smaller children for about 1/2 mile, then it has a few rough spots. Lots of things to look at on the walls and floor if you're observant. The crack runs for several miles, but you arrive at a spot about 3/4 of a mile in that leads you back to the surface before continuing on. If you've got a good sense of direction you can go back to the parking lot across country, possibly finding small arrow heads that were used for rabbit hunting. A GPS makes this an easy walk.A absolute MUST while taking this trip is to eat at the Cowboy Dinner Tree restaurant. Rustic isn't a bold enough word for this place, it is truly a dining experience that you will remember for a lifetime, and you'll tell everyone you know about it. Even though this is located about two miles south of nowhere, you HAVE to have reservations, even on a Tuesday evening.If you've seen Hole in the Ground and Crack in the Ground and you still have time before the restaurant opens, go see Fort Rock. It's another geological point of interest.PS: Take along warm clothes, it's cool in the "Crack" and lots of wind at Fort Rock

We used to live out there and I had visited but didn't see the huge deal until we took some friends to visit and they actually walked down to see it and THEN I realized just how huge it is. They were like ants down there.

so much to do and see in historic Christmas valley. Hole in the ground is close to Crack in the ground which are geological faults in this area