August 6: Crater Lake

August 6:  Crater Lake

Today’s “wow” is the stunning Crater Lake with beautiful blue water with the emeralds and turquoises around the shoreline. 

We manage to see the 22” video explaining how the caldera was formed:  7,700 years ago the volcano Mount Mazama erupted, then the top fell in on itself forming a deep basin that over the centuries filled with water. It is the deepest lake in the U.S. at 1,949’ (Lake Tahoe is second at 1,645’).

We pop into the Crater Lake Lodge which is celebrating their 100 years this year.  It has a beautiful view with lots of rocking chairs.

 We catch a Ranger talk at the Sinnott Memorial Overlook where you can see both Wizard Island and Phantom Ship (a rock formation about 500’ high that does resemble a ship). 

We learn that they have their own Mazama newt which is now endangered; first they stocked fish in the lake, then they brought in crayfish as fish food.  The crayfish are eating the newts!  And when they capture and remove the large crayfish, they increase in numbers; the large crayfish are cannibals eating the little ones!

We hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail, only 2.2 miles round trip but with a 700 foot elevation change.  This takes us down to the lake where we remove our shoes and enjoy soaking in the cold water. There is also a boat dock for boat tours.

Many people are swimming or fishing.  Several golden mantled ground squirrels were running up and around us; they are the size and coloring of our CT chipmunks. Adorable!

As we drive the rim road, a marmot runs across the road. He has thick fur and a fat tail, about the size of a cat.  We take a side trip down to the Pinnacles, “eerie spires of volcanic ash sculpted by erosion” and pass by Vidae Falls.

A gorgeous day but by the time we get to our hotel in La Pine, we order a take-out pizza from across the street and relax.