Crater Lake, Oregon

For years I have admired photos of Crater Lake, so it was very exciting to finally see it in person. First we stopped at the Visitor Center to get Junior Ranger books for the kids to fill out. I have to say, they were the best booklets we've done yet, very age appropriate and educational. One of the activities asked the kids to draw their own national park that they would create.  They both drew trees, lakes but Journey's included a banana peel, and an "apple man" whatever that means.

We spent two days here. The first day we spent driving the rim road, stopping to admire the views at many points along the 30 mile route. It is larger than I expected at 5 miles across by 6 miles wide. It was created when Mount Mazama erupted 7700 years ago leaving a crater that slowly filled up over the next several hundred years.

The island in the photo is called "Wizard Island". It's a volcanic cinder cone created from 

subsequent eruptions. We decided to return the next day so we could take a boat over and explore it.

At its deepest point, Crater Lake is 1,943 ft deep, making it the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world! Unlike other lakes, Crater Lake's water comes solely from the sky- snow and rain. The absence of dirt and pollutants from other water sources, gives it the deep blue color and incredible clarity, which has been measured at 140ft!

The fire lookout is at the top of this mountain. We considered hiking it, 

but decided to rest our legs for the following day's hikes, thank goodness!

My sweet little boy. He's getting so big, I have a hard time carrying him for long distances these days.

Asher wanted to take a photo of me. This is only the second time I've placed my treasured 

camera in his little hands. I think he may be the one who follows me into the photography field.

(Asher's photo)

Phantom Ship, named for its shape, is a fun little island that sticks out of the water. 

 Asher found his own spot to sit back and admire it.

They earned Junior Ranger badges and also patches for watching a demonstration by the ranger on how Crater Lake was formed.

The next morning we arrived bright and early, real early. We had to set an alarm for 545! Once we parked, we began the Cleetwood Cove Trail's 1.1mile, 700 ft hike down from the rim to the water to catch a boat to Wizard Island. How about this lovely view from the top of the trail? I could sit here all day.

Once on the island, our feet landed on the lava rocks with a crunch. I had overdressed all of us since it was 40-something degrees at the rim, but now it was more like 70, so we stripped off our long layers and stashed them on the dock with the life jackets. Now it was time to hike to the peak of Wizard Island and check out its crater. The trail here is nearly identical in length and elevation gain as the Cleetwood Cove trail that we just finished (the down portion of). 

We took in beautiful views while hiking the switchbacks, lava rocks crunching under foot.

Finally we reached the peak where we ate our MRE lunch. Having hot food on top of a mountain still amazes me. You just add water to a bag, put the food pouch in there and a couple minutes later it's steaming hot.

Sitting on the rim with the lake behind us (and all around) and the crater in front of us.

Asher fed Journey, so sweet!

Then it was time to head back down. Our three hours on the island were almost over.

Journey and I soaking our tired feet in the crystal clear lake. 

OK, my feet are in the water, Journey had to sit all the way on the edge to reach the water.

Our boat- (Picture taken after they initially dropped us off.)

You can't drive all the way to Crater Lake and then hike down to the lake and not get in, so that's what we did next. Of course we didn't bring bathing suits so we took off the kids' pants and let them swim in their unders. I sometimes wish I could get away with that.

The water quality is so clean that we had to try it for ourselves. Here's Asher drinking directly from the lake (thru a filter straw, just to be safe).

We walked a bit further and found people jumping off the cliffs into the water, about 20 feet down. The kids loved watching.

Beautiful, beautiful water!

Now it was time for the last hike for the day, 700ft back up to the rim.

We stopped one last time for a photo of the lake because with the sun's placement, suddenly the underwater cones became visible. So cool! With 4.5 miles of hiking under our belt for the day, it was time to head home for some much needed rest.