Crater Lake

Mon, Aug 22

We had camped at Cottage Grove, OR, which is a large logging-lumber center. Trucks like this come and go frequently around here.

The road to Crater Lake ran up and down the mountains along the North Umpqua River. So many glimpses of the river made for many photo stops along our route. At one point, I got so engrossed in the photographing, that I walked out of Grandpa's sight and he thought I'd fallen into the river! 

The river is a favorite of fishermen, drifting tubers, kayakers and rapids runners, because of it’s various currents along the way.

And appropriately, along Grandma Su’s adventure, there is a creek named in my honor!

We stopped for lunch at scenic Diamond Lake.

Arriving at Crater Lake West Rim Drive late in the afternoon, we got our first glimpse of the lake, which is 1,943 feet deep in the collapsed crater of the volcano, Mount Mazama which erupted 7,700 years ago. It was first discovered by gold prospectors and became a National Park in 1902. Filled by snow and rain over 5,000 years, with no streams running in or out, it appears to be a very deep sapphire blue because of it’s depth.

For a National Park, we were less than thrilled with their camping facilities. We’d made reservations several months earlier, but were told it was first-come, first-serve anyway, and by 3 PM the best campsites had already been taken. Only 10 of over 200 sites were large enough or had electricity. The “office” was only a kiosk, and the camp store was tiny. Even the restrooms need updating! But we got settled in, and after dinner went along the West Rim Road again, camera ready and looking for sunset views.

First the reddening sky colors the rock walls surrounding the lake,

 and the white bark pines lining the banks, 

Then it creates a stunning firelight in the sky!

Tues, Aug 23

This morning we arose early to see the East Rim of Crater Lake, first stopping to see Phantom Ship Rock.

A side spur road took us to the Pinnacles. These 100 ft tall spires were fumeroles, where volcanic gas rose up through hot ash deposits, turning them to solid rock.

At Cloudcap Overlook, 1,790 ft above the water, we saw Crater Lake from the highest point along the Rim Drive.

We even found the Pumice Castle, a layer of orange pumice rock that juts from the side of the rim and has eroded into the shape of a castle.

We got several views of Wizard Island and the small boat that tours the Lake from Cleetwood Cove.

That little white thing with a wake behind it is one of two boats allowed on the lake!

Continuing our tradition of eating in each National Park Lodge, we decided on brunch at the Crater Lake Lodge, before leaving the Park. It's perched among the trees at the top of a mountain above the lake.

The Lobby has a huge fireplace, which was burning nicely on this chilly morning, and plenty of fresh flowers. This young couple was enjoying breakfast on the veranda overlooking the deep blue Crater Lake!