After a 3-hr drive, I was excited as I approached Crater Lake National Park. Climbing the switchbacks up the mountain, snow became visible on the roadsides and woods. It’s 60 degrees outside....70 at the base of the mountain...but there is not much evidence of melting. In two days, the high is projected to be 29 degrees with snow!
The visitor’s center movie lays the groundwork for the history of the lake’s formation. 7,700 years ago, Mount Mazama exploded spewing magma at twice the speed of sound into the air. Multiple additional vents opened around the mountain encircling the top. A 12,000 ft tall peak which had taken centuries to create, collapsed inward as the magma chamber emptied in only 24 hrs.
There are NO rivers and streams flowing into Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the US and seventh in the world. It has been filled over the years and continues to be filled each year solely with rainfall and snow melt. Became of this and the lack of sediment to cloud the water, the lake has been declared the clearest and cleanest large body of water in the world!
I park, gather my camera and binoculars, and walk through snow on the rim side trail for my first view of this inspiring sight.
It is breath-taking! Sapphire blue water so rich and deep it doesn’t seem real spreads below surrounded by a snow crusted rim.
A sense of awe overwhelms me. I try to capture the lake’s beauty in multiple photos from different viewpoints some of which show the walls reflected in the clear water.
The intense deep blue color result from the absorption of all colors in the light spectrum except for the blue wave-length which is seen by our eyes. It’s the same reason the sky appears blue.
I hike along the rim slipping in the snow and hope I can catch the narrow yellow nylon rope if I fall and begin a 1,000 ft slide down to the lake. Luckily, I don’t get a chance to see if I can!
I spend time sitting on a rock wall and absorb the atmosphere. I wish I could find a spot for a nap! John Muir said, “Man needs places to play, and places to pray.” This is one of those places.
Thank you, God!
I drive several miles to Inspiration Point, the last turn-around before the rim-side road is blocked due to snow. I hang out with a ranger and listen to him answering questions, and as always, I’m amazed at his knowledge.
More facts: The lake is 6 miles across, 1,943 ft deep, and holds 4.9 trillion gallons of water. We are standing at over 7,000 ft of elevation.
Wizard Island sits in the middle of Crater Lake looking like a wizard’s hat, covered with evergreens, and is home to the lake boathouses. Phantom Island looks like a rocky clipper ship in the lake.
Crater Lake NP is open throughout the year, but snowplows can only keep a few areas cleared continuously including the southern park entrance, visitor’s center, Rim Village, and the Crater Lake Lodge. Otherwise, snow accumulates until the spring plowing begins in April, and all roads may not open until mid-July!
The park received 35 ft of snow this year which is below the normal winter average of 44 ft. Snowplows work every day but can only clear 50 yards a day on the 33 mile Rim Drive. As the ranger explained, you can always snowshoe to the other side which will take 3-4 days!
I asked if the lake contains fish, and the ranger explained it was stocked w/ rainbow trout and salmon years ago. People are welcome to fish...w/ a permit...and keep anything they catch.
A strenuous hike to the lake during the summer months deliver you to the water’s edge to catch a boat for a tour around the lake. It is suppose be fabulous, but beware...you also have to hike back up!
I stop by the Crater Lake Lodge which was saved from demolition and entirely renovated in 1985. Built in 1920 on a shoestring budget, the outside was covered in tarpaper and interior walls were a cardboard-like particle board. Visitors complained of cracks in the walls where you could see between rooms!
There were no private bathrooms and little furniture, but people came to stay and visit Crater Lake.
Native Americans cherish this site, and their history document the cataclysmic explosion over 7,000 years ago. According to their folklore, two gods, one good and one evil, battled over dominance of the world. The evil god was trapped under the mountain when it collapsed so that the good god was victorious.
It’s been a wonderful visit even if abbreviated due to snow. I hope to return and walk, roll, or be carried down to the lake for that boat ride!
No comments:
Post a Comment