I have no words to describe Crater Lake National Park. It is a special place. Serene. Pristine. The bluest water I've ever seen. Thousands of years ago, an active volcano, Mount Mazuma, spouted lava in several places ....and then more...and then circularly around the volcano top so that the ENTIRE top of the volcano blew and the top of the volcano collapsed. Lava flowed for 30 miles around the volcano, killing everything in its path.
On the up side, the snow and rain filled the crater left from this eruption, and over thousands of years, filled the crater. The only source of water in this, the deepest lake in the country, is snow and rain. For that reason, the water is pristine. The lake is over 1900 feet deep.
The Visitor Center at the southern end of the park shows a movie on the hour and the half hour. It is one of the most interesting national park movies we've seen. Well, actually, they are ALL interesting if you ask me. For more information on Crater Lake National Park, click
here.
I really have no words to describe this natural wonder...its a gift of nature. Maybe the pictures below will give a sense of this magical place.
 |
| ready for an adventure? |
 |
| heading to Crater Lake (lots of roads in Oregon look just like this-how nice, right?) |
 |
| heading to Crater Lake-North Entrance opened for the season-yippee!! |
 |
| passing by "pumice" fields in the park |
The West Rim of the park was open, but the East Rim was closed due to snow cover. It won't open till the end of June or so. We were able to drive along the scenic road through the park on the West Rim from the North Entrance to the South Entrance, and then we drove back. It was beautiful, with many pullouts to view the lake.
 |
| lots of snow still here-only the West Rim was opened |
 |
| threatening skies |
 |
| snow is starting to melt |
 |
| BREATHTAKING!!!!! |
 |
| WOW!!!! |
 |
| This is absolutely gorgeous...as the rangers say...its not a National Park for nuthin' |
 |
| the roads were a bit edge-y |
 |
| they get lots of snow up here |
 |
| view on opposite side of the lake |
 |
| yikes!!!!! |
 |
| parts of the drive were like Pike's Peak with snow |
 |
| hoping the weather holds out (which it did)!! |
 |
| snow stick...they average 44 FEET per year!!!!! |
 |
| That's a lot of snow! |
 |
| lava rocks underneath |
 |
| this is still the West rim |
 |
| stopping here for another scenic overlook -and the bathroom :) |
 |
| ranger station? |
 |
| this is incredibly beautiful |
 |
| the water is a deep deep blue -the photos don't do it justice-but look at the edge of the lake to get the real color |
 |
| rocky volcanic edge....the whole volcano top blew |
 |
| the resulting crater filled with snow and rain water |
 |
| Its the deepest lake in the country |
 |
| not spring fed at all...just snow and rain |
 |
| Pristine!!!!! |
 |
| this is a special place |
 |
| what a place to live-little birdie! |
 |
| some of the overlooks only had a narrow path in the snow to get to the edge |
 |
| wow....wow....wow... |
 |
| by the way, it was freezing, but we were so excited to be here we were warm enough :) |
 |
| love the colors |
 |
| side of the Crater |
 |
| held my breath on this part of the road |
 |
| the weather was still holding up for us |
 |
| another view |
 |
| there is a cinder cone peaking out of the lake and the colors around the coast are gorgeous |
 |
| one of the prettiest places on earth |
 |
| the cinder cone...just the top shows above the lake |
 |
| hyperventilated on this part of the road (just kidding-believe it or not, I was pretty good)! |
 |
| looking outward |
 |
| more views of the crater |
 |
| sorry...just can't stop taking pictures! The views were astounding! And the color! |
 |
| look...and the sky is clearing just a bit for us |
 |
| another view |
 |
| the colors are spectacular |
 |
| heading to the Rim Village (bathrooms, cafeteria, gift shop) |
 |
| the bathroom/gift shop/cafeteria |
 |
| and still the views |
 |
| just incredible |
 |
| an overview from the Rim Village |
 |
| They get 44 FEET of snow per year....its starting to melt...the building can be really socked in!! |
 |
| more views |
 |
| First view...really does take your breath away |
 |
| um....I don't think so (all the trails were closed due to snow) |
 |
| such a serene and special place |
 |
| We can't stop looking at the lake:) |
 |
| another view |
 |
| close up of the beautiful colors on the coast of the cinder cone "island" |
 |
| okay...we are heading back home now |
 |
| its a lot easier on this side of the road..trust me on that |
 |
| huge storm moving in...we were so lucky to have a good day (often the lake is socked in with clouds and you can't see it) |
 |
| I guess we kinda liked it here! |
 |
| another shot of the crater edges surrounding the lake |
 |
| B E A U T I F U L |
 |
| close up of the cinder cone island |
 |
| snow covered trails |
 |
| oh buddy...you are a brave one!! |
 |
| one last look |
Towards the North End of the park are "Pumice Deserts"-ground up lava rocks from the elements. These pumice deserts are 300 feet deep!
What a day! What an extraordinary lake! So happy it is a National Park for all of us to enjoy!
 |
| back home for in time for dinner |
 |
| I cut up all the veggies.....really! |
 |
| the chef |
No comments:
Post a Comment