CRATER LAKE IN CENTRAL OREGON

Tuesday, May 10th, was a very sunny day and promised to be very nice for our planned trip back south to Crater Lake. We began with a stop at the grocery store and had sandwiches made for our lunch that day. Can't say that we were not prepared!! We went with double layers of jackets, but had to strip both off before we finished the day!! It was a gorgeous day!! So bright that I had problems with the pictures being too dark because of the glare from the snow. We did not know how much snow that we would have to deal with. All we knew was that the higher mountains were white topped and would remain so in to the summer. After the grocery stop we headed on down the road to the South Rim as the other rim entrances had been closed all winter and would not be open until late in June. We were told that it takes the heavy snow removal equipment a twelve hour day to remove the snow from the roadway thirty feet wide and thirty feet deep for just a quarter of a mile!!!!! So you can imagine how many days they will be working on this!! They do manage to keep the south entrance open most of the winter. But you can see what a chore it must be. We were in awe!!! We can see the crater mountain from down the road - - - -

As we get closer, the snow is deeper!!

Finally approaching the entrance road, we were able to spot it to know where to turn, because of the red flags.

Oops, looks like we still have a way to go!! And the snow sure hugs the sides of this road.

Arriving we find that we were not the only ones seeking out this beautiful wonder.

Now how do we get into the Rim Village Cafe and Gift shop to see the film about the volcano and the resulting lake??? I don't see a door, do you??

Yes, Gary just keep on walking!! The door has to be here somewhere!!

We finally found it around the end of the building and walked through a long passage way into the main building.

So we got off to a good start by watching the film and buying post cards.

We then drove on to what looked like the direction to the rim and all we found there was a lot cars parked along the side of the road and people were up on the rim. But the only way up there was an icy hillside to climb. No rail, no steps, nada!!

So Gary being more agile than I, braved it and took pictures. But he was so aggravated that I could not see it. We walked on down the open roadway toward the Lodge looking for another access. Again, nothing to be found, or so we thought. When we tried the front door to the Lodge, we found that it was locked and not open yet for the season. So now what do we do?? I walked one way and Gary another. And surprise!! We met at the other end of the Lodge and he found a walkway behind it that was shoveled clear, and I found a parking area for employees at the far end. So we again got pictures and helped another lady find this way to bring her mother (with her walker) to see the lake also.

This is the Lodge and they were snow blowing in front. I'd love to see these buildings in the summer as they are quite rustic looking.

NOW, we get to the real scene that we came for!! So enjoy the pictures!

Crater Lake is five miles wide and is ringed by cliffs almost 2000 feet high. The lake rests in the shattered remnants of a volcano called Mount Mazama which erupted and collapsed into itself. Later eruptions formed Wizard Island that you see to the left in some of the pictures. The Lake was filled with rain and melted snow, is 1943 feet deep and is the deepest lake in the US and one of the deepest in the world. In 1853 prospectors in search of gold found the lake. It is one of the cleanest and clearest bodies of water in the world and it became one of the first National Parks in 1902. Snow blankets the area for eight or nine months of the year. Too much for us!!! But we will enjoy the pictures for a long time.

Remember, it is five miles across!

Wizard Island to your left!

Notice the reflections in the water!! To my minds eye, it makes the rock formations and the trees and vegetation look like an Indian tapestry, eh?

Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!!

Leaving the area, we decided to take the road to the west and then around the north side of the park. On our way, we had a good view of Mt. Theilsen north of the Lake.

Mt. Theilsen is 9182 feet in elevation. While Crater Peak is 7265 feet. There are many mountains in Oregon of significant elevation. Worth the time to travel about to view!! I think that this next four months will be an interesting four months!

Stay with us.