Crater Lake, OR

Crater Lake National Park is named after the lake that was formed over 7000 years ago when volcanic Mount Mazama blew its top. It encompasses the lake, of course, and all of the immediate area affected by the blast, which by the way was 42 times as powerful as Mount St. Helens. The blast was so powerful in fact that eruption debris can still be seen in the soil as far away as Montana and Saskatchewan. WOW!

So much material was ejected from the volcano that its foundation was undermined and it collapsed into itself. When the smoke cleared, a 4,000-foot-deep basin was left where a 12,000-foot-high mountain had once stood.

Over time, rain and snow filled the basin with water, to a maximum depth today of 1,943 feet. Volcanic activity continued, building Wizard Island and several other features.

We were here two years ago, but local forest fires had caused smoke throughout the area and the beauty of this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon was, you might say, quite hazy.

Other volcanos have craters, or calderas, but no lake; what makes this unique is that the cataclysmic blast was followed by lesser eruptions that caused the lava to seal off the bed allowing water from snow and rain to accumulate. The area receives a massive 44 feet of snow annually. Believe it or not, this is some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, which is why the lake water reaches depths of 1,943 feet, the deepest in the US. It is the depth as well as the pureness of the water that causes its intense blue color. It is said it is the clearest lake in the United States. Crater Lake is 6 miles across. And as for the temperature of the water--don't bother to bring your suit unless it's a wet-suit.

The lake has of course been sacred to the Native Americans for centuries and it was "discovered" in 1853 by American prospectors. Word of its beauty got out and visitors from the world over came to see its pristine beauty. It is reported that many awe-struck visitors were so humbled that they cried.

The purity of the water has led to studies of all type and description using sonar, submarines, scientific instruments, and the like. This is a closed ecological system: No stream runs in or out of the lake. There were originally no fish in the lake, but trout and salmon were introduced over several decades, and they have thrived. Fish are no longer stocked.

There is a 33 mile rim drive which is quite spectacular, but not for the queasy. The rim is very narrow in spots, and then when the freeze/thaw of winter knocks chunks off the edge of the road.....well, you need good nerves. If you spend much time thinking about the sheer cliffs on each side of the road it can become a 33 mile white knuckle drive!

As with most National Parks, a spectacular lodge with stone fireplace was built. This was completed in 1915 and remodeled in the 1990's.

Mother Nature has outdone herself again!