Crater Lake OR

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Crater Lake

After a fabulous week in Bend Oregon we are off to Crater Lake.

Crater Lake is actually a volcano caldera that was formed over 7700 years ago when the empty volcanic chamber under a volcano collapsed and the resulting crater filled with water.



The island you see today is called Wizard Island and is actually a volcanic cone that has formed as lava has flowed at different times since the caldera was formed thousands of years ago.


Scientists marvel at the clarity and purity of the water which creates the deep blue color.

Being so high up in the Cascades, the lake gets no water from any upstream sources
getting all it's water from snow fall and rain.

Getting an average of 43 feet of snow per year....



… means there is plenty of snow still around, even in July

Debbie even went sledding while we were there




At 1949 feet in it's deepest area, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US as well as the clearest.


Depending on where you are the lake is between 4.5 and 6 miles across.
We hiked extensively at several areas around the lake doing our best to stay away from the crowds and we were captivated by the deep blue color of the lake and beauty of this area.

Not being able to get a site in the national park we opted to stay a short 15 minutes away 
at a state park at Diamond Lake.


Right on the lake with such a beautiful view.... you may ask, then why did you leave a day early?? 


Unfortunately,  when the breeze died down the mosquitos were so large and thick that 
you couldn't go outside.


Crater Lake has been on our wish list for years, so glad we finally got there!





























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