Tenth Stop - Day at Crater Lake National Park

It was a 15 minute drive from our campsite to Crater Lake National Park.  We were blown away (pun intended) by the beauty of Crater Lake.  So incredibly blue.  So clean.  It is the 9th deepest lake in the world, at 1,900 some feet.  It was created 7,700 years ago, when Mount Mazama, a 12,000 foot tall volcanic mountain, blew up.  When all the ash and magma blew out of the volcano from below the mountain, the mountaintop fell in on itself, creating the lake.   Over many years, it filled up with rain and snowmelt.   It is so clean and clear because no streams flow into it bringing sediment.  The lake itself is at 6,000 some feet elevation, rimmed by the remaining mountain.

So -- that is what these pictures are showing!   We did the one hike that takes you down to the water.  About a mile down, which was a lot easier than the mile up.   But OMG just looking at the spectacular blue of the water made it enjoyable!  There is a 33 mile drive around the lake, with lots of viewpoints.   Each stop more breathtaking than the last.   We stopped at the historic Crater Lake lodge for a mid-afternoon lunch.   The veranda has amazing views of the lake. 





















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nineteenth Stop - Glacier National Park - July 29-Aug 5, 2018

Image
Another beautiful drive from Coeur d'Alene to the west entrance of Glacier National Park.  Our campsite was at Fish Creek campground in the park, along Lake McDonald.  See Karl doing some maintenance under the RV?  A  3 minute walk took us to lake's edge for happy hour.  A little deer came to the lake next to me for a drink too. The next day, we drove the Going-To-The-Sun Road across the park.  We stopped at Logan Pass, on the Continental Divide, and hiked the Highline Trail for about 5 miles, plus the additional mile it took us from where we had to park down the road.   Lots of people!  Bring your patience!  The Highline Trail was just as it sounds . . . high up and some steep drop-offs, and less steep drop-offs. These pictures are from the drive on Going to the Sun Road.   Narrow and scary road at times! OK!   Ready for our 3 day backpacking, 2 day ...
Read more

Twenty-second Stop - Grand Teton National Park - Aug. 19-30, 2018

Image
On to the Tetons, just south of Yellowstone.  We headed to Signal Mountain campground, which is "first come first served".   Snagged a nice spacious spot, which turned out also to have a clear opening for the satellite internet.  Bonus!  Signal Mountain campground is on Jackson Lake, so we took our chairs down to the lake for happy hour sunset several days.  Next day, took a hike starting at the campground, up Signal Mountain.  About 6.5 miles.   There were signs posted in the area about a mother bear and 3 cubs, so we stayed on the lookout and made noise.  No sightings!  Nice trail, and there SHOULD be great vistas from the top of the mountain, but the smoke from forest fires throughout the West hid the views.   Sad.  On the way down the mountain, some sprinkles started, a good excuse to go to Deadman's Bar for lunch . . . right there at Signal Mountain lodge area. Next day, a paddle on...
Read more

Heading Home - August 30 and 31, 2018

Image
The summer went so fast and we saw so many amazing sights.   But we were also looking forward to getting home, and we decided to get on the road before the Labor Day weekend rush.   Spent our last night near Hatch, Utah, at a campsite next to a small river.   Watched a beautiful last sunset, and then saw 4 planets appear, and then amazing skyfull of stars. Did have a short "detour" before arriving at the campground.   Luckily at a gas station, it was noticed that we had a bad tire.   Then another bad tire . . . turns out it was related to bad shock absorbers.    Six new tires and 4 shock absorbers later, we were on the road!  Thanks everyone for sharing in our adventure.  Happy Trails to all!!
Read more