Crater Lake
(July 2008)
As you can see, we're entering Crater Lake National Park. Some years ago we were issued a Seniors lifetime free pass to our National Parks that has been wonderful since the cost of everything has gone up.
We'll hike up to the top of the hill to get a view of the Lake.
It's a little hazy today. Crater Lake is about 1,949 ft deep, making it the deepest lake in the United States. Since it's fed by snow and rain instead of streams and rivers, it's considered the cleanest large body of water in the world. The water is exceptional for its clarity and intense blue color. Its primary input is from annual precipitation in the region. Average annual precipitation is 66 in; average annual snowfall is 44 ft. It took approximately 250 years for the lake to fill to today's level (6,178 ft above sea level).
The lake rests inside a caldera formed approximately 7,700 years ago when a 12,000 foot high volcano collapsed following a major eruption. The eruption may have been the largest in America in the last 640,000 years. Later eruptions formed Wizard island, a cinder cone near the southwest shore. The maximum diameter of caldera at the rim is 6.02 mi (east-west), and reaches a height of 7,178 ft above sea level (1,000 ft above lake surface).
This old tree trunk reminds me of a seal.
Beautiful wildflowers adorn this meadow.
Heading down the road again.
It isn't too long before Mel pulls over to take a brief nap. I felt like doing a little exploring. We passed some rafters, and I was hoping they'd show up so I could take their picture.
Here they come! They saw me taking their picture and waved.
This tree is covered with moss.
We're on our way again...headed for Wildlife Safari.