Crater Lake

The deepest lake in the US, the area with one of the highest annual snowfall, a lake formed by the caldera of a collapsed volcano, these descriptions of Crater Lake are intriguing enough. But the sheer magical beauty of the clear blue water and the breathtaking views from different vantage points really need to be seen to be believed.

Formed in the caldera created by the collapse of Mount Mazama 8000 years ago, Carter Lake was regarded as sacred by the Native American tribes inhabiting the area. The lake is not fed by any river or stream, but relies on heavy snowfall to maintain its levels. There are small two islands in the lake, Wizard Island and the Phantom Ship which look as magical as they sound.

During a family trip to Oregon in 2016, after visiting the coast, we took a trip inland to the Crater Lake National Park. We drove around the 33 mi ‘rim drive’ stopping at many of the overlooks to take in the views of the lake. Although we stayed outside the park at the Running Y Ranch Resort, there are lodging options available in the park, however these need to be booked well in advance. Boating tours are also available in season (May to September), the lake also provides a good site for bird watching and fishing.

Although my trip to the lake was a short one, I will be back for a more extended visit with lodging in the park hopefully in the not too distant future.