Crater Lake National Park - At 1,943 feet, the deepest lake in
the United
States.
October, 2010
the United
States.
October, 2010
It was formed about 7,700 years ago
by a cataclysmic volcanic eruption and
subsequent mountain collapse. Later
eruptions formed Wizard Island, a
cinder cone near the southwest shore.
by a cataclysmic volcanic eruption and
subsequent mountain collapse. Later
eruptions formed Wizard Island, a
cinder cone near the southwest shore.
Fed by rain and snow (but no rivers or
streams), Crater Lake is considered to
be the clearest large body of water in
the world.
streams), Crater Lake is considered to
be the clearest large body of water in
the world.
The rim is at 7,100 feet and snow
blankets the landscape for eight or
nine months of the year and closes the
rim road.
blankets the landscape for eight or
nine months of the year and closes the
rim road.
The 33-mile Rim Drive snakes around
the caldera and provides breathtaking
views at every turn.
the caldera and provides breathtaking
views at every turn.
The Lake itself last froze over in 1949,
but annual snowfall at the rim averages
44 feet!
but annual snowfall at the rim averages
44 feet!
Why so blue? Blue is the last color
absorbed by water as light passes
through it. Only the deepest blue gets
scattered back to the surface where
we see it as the color of the water.
absorbed by water as light passes
through it. Only the deepest blue gets
scattered back to the surface where
we see it as the color of the water.
The Lake was memorable for the
sense of peace, quiet and tranquility.
sense of peace, quiet and tranquility.
Ground squirrels and other small
animals are abundant along with over
200 species of birds.
animals are abundant along with over
200 species of birds.
Spectacular white water flows through
the Rogue Gorge, found in the Rogue
River - Siskiyou National Forest
the Rogue Gorge, found in the Rogue
River - Siskiyou National Forest