Crater Lake National Park

We have moved to a National Forest campground in Chiloquin, Oregon, which is $5 a night with the Golden Age discount and almost empty. I'm glad nobody was watching when we drove around the loop and I hopped out at every site with my compass in hand. In addition to our usual criteria of sun for the solar panels and a break in the trees for the satellite dish, we also wanted late afternoon shade because it was hot when we arrived. Needless to say, we found the perfect site - it just took a little effort.

The next day was still hot so we decided to cool off by going to Crater Lake NP. Weather.com (my bible) said that clouds would be building up in the afternoon, so we hurried up the hill.

I had never gone into the park from the south (at least not that I remember) and was surprised by the gorgeous pastureland. The land was perfectly flat all the way to the park boundary. Here is our first view of the Crater Lake cliffs with some contented cows in the foreground.


This sign shows the outline of Mt. Mazama before it erupted and collapsed to form Crater Lake.


At the top, I took about a thousand pictures. Here's the classic shot of the very blue Crater Lake with Wizard Island and part of the rim. Just ignore the pine pollen swirling in the water.
The unbelievable blue color is caused by the way the light is reflected through the clear water. The lake is 1932 feet deep at its deepest part with no rivers flowing in or out.

If you want to learn more about the fall of Mr. Mazama, click on the following picture of the information sign.


Would you believe we took a plane ride over the lake? I didn't think so.


And we got the required picture to show we were really there. Bowing to peer pressure, we even removed our sunglasses and hats.


Although the East Rim road is still closed due to snow, we drove the West Rim to Watchman Overlook for a closer look at Wizard Island.


On our way out of the park, we stopped at the overlook for Annie Creek Canyon. Just look at those clouds rolling in.


If anyplace deserves a video, it would be Crater Lake.