Crater Lake National Park

A lake exists in Oregon that is unlike any other lake in the United States. Travelers Ron and Jane make sure they stop to see Crater Lake every time they are traveling through the area, and have given great detail of its beauty in their web journal, Ron & Jane’s Travels, see the Crater Lake posting.

Crater Lake is now a popular National Park, but at one time was simply an incredibly beautiful spot. Formed an estimated 7,000 years ago, the lake is a product of a massive volcanic eruption that took place at that time. Mt. Mazama is the volcano, and the force was so powerful when the eruption occurred that it extended eastward to Montana and northward to Saskatchewan. It is believed that Mt. Mazama surpassed Mount St. Helens in sheer power at least 42 times over.

The volcano no longer exists, as the magnitude of the explosion caused the natural feature to collapse upon its own foundation. Where God had placed a 12,000 ft. mountain, Mother Nature replaced it with a 4,000 foot deep basin; the basis of Crater Lake. Rain water and melted snow eventually filled the volcanic scar, and it is currently at a depth of approximately 1, 943 feet of the bluest water one could ever imagine. The lake has a secure foundation; lava flows from subsequent eruptions before Mt. Mazama collapsed formed a sealant around the lake, causing precipitation to accumulate in its depths. There is no outlet or inlet for the lake whatsoever. This pure water, along with the extreme depths, is credited with the unique azure coloration. Thought to be the clearest of all United States lakes, the water contained within the crater is also quite cold.

While our Native American friends had known about the amazingly cobalt Crater Lake, it was through the avid reports of prospectors in the area around 1853 that brought an onslaught of curious visitors to view the lake. Once discovered, people from all over the United States and other countries as well make this spot a well viewed location.

Because of the closed aspect of Crater Lake, there was originally no marine life here. At one time, trout and salmon were stocked into the pristine lake, but that practice has since been discontinued. The fish introduced have thrived, keeping the lake full.

For the adventurous spirit, a rim road exists around the perimeter of Crater Lake. Be forewarned; it is not a drive for the faint of heart! The rim road stretches out over 33 miles of extremely narrow road in areas; a roadway that has felt the effects of the harsh winter conditions of the area. Uneven roadway edges lead to steep, sheer drop offs fall steeply to the water’s edge below.

Wizard Island sprouts up from the center of Crater Lake; evidence of later volcanic activity during the development phase of the lake. Pine trees stand tall and erect; seemingly impossible given the volcanic soil.

Visiting Oregon without seeing Crater Lake would be a travesty. The pureness of the water that lends it the clear, unbelievably blue appearance; a characteristic that brings visitors from all around the world, as well as US travelers such as Ron and Jane.

Dan Parlow

Personal Travel Websites by RV.Net ; Online Travel Journals by MyTripJournal.com ; Explore Good Sam Club Trip Journals ;Woodalls Trip Journals ; Travel Journals by Trailer Life Directory