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Oregon

CRATER LAKE

ESTABLISHED 1902


Famous for the startling color and clarity of its lake, the caldera of what was once Mount Mazama is the crown jewel of Oregon’s only national park, surrounded by equally beautiful forestland.

Crater Lake’s serene surface belies its dramatic origins. The lake came into existence when a monumental 12,000-ft (3,650-m) volcano called Mount Mazama erupted 7,700 years ago, devastating the pristine landscape and forming a caldera that gradually—over 250 years—filled with a supply of rainwater.

The eruption that formed Crater Lake was cataclysmic and fast—geologists say it took hours, or at most a few days—but it wasn’t the first eruption. The indigenous Klamath peoples who inhabited the area had witnessed thousands of years of volcanic activity from Mount Mazama. When this last violent episode occurred, they saw it as an epic battle between the sky god, Skell, and the god of the world below, Llao, who inhabited the mountain. Details vary, but in most versions of the story the gods were battling over a woman, and the battle ended when Skell forced Llao back into the mountain, which then destroyed itself. Afterward, the Klamath considered the lake sacred; only shamans could look at it, and they kept it a secret from the white settlers. Its existence wasn’t recorded officially until 1862, when Oregon prospector Chauncey Nye wrote a newspaper column about seeing the deep-blue lake.

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Visitors wait for the ferryboat to shuttle them across the lake

Unexplained mysteries

Three mysterious shapes pierce Crater Lake’s placid surface. The biggest is Wizard Island, a cinder cone that sticks 755 ft (230 m) above the water, created by one of several smaller eruptions on the caldera floor after Mount Mazama imploded. Visible from the southeast side of the rim is the Phantom Ship, a gnarled rock formation resembling a spooky pirate vessel, especially when glimpsed through fog. Weirdest of all is the Old Man of the Lake, a 30-ft (9-m) tree stump that bobs around the water, jutting 4 ft (1 m) into the air and traveling freely. It can go miles in a day, sometimes moving against the wind. In the 1980s, scientists leashed the Old Man to the shore while exploring the lake with submarines; immediately, a snowstorm blew in—in August. As soon as someone freed the log, the storm cleared, and the mystery of the Old Man continued.

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A snow-covered Wizard Island sits in the middle of Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States

Did You Know?

The name Mazama comes from an American Indian word for mountain goat, derived from an Aztec word for “small deer.”

1,943

The deepest point in ft (592 m) of Crater Lake.

6

The diameter in miles (10 km) of the lake.

44

The average annual snowfall in ft (14 m).

1949

The last year it was cold enough for the lake to freeze over.

If you have…

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An hour ▷ Head for the Steel Information Center near the park entrance to pick up a map. Then start your journey by car, heading to Rim Drive, where you can drink in the views from Crater Lake Lodge.

A day Follow the full 33-mile (53-km) Rim Drive, stopping at various overlooks to gulp in fresh air and enjoy the scenery. Better yet, make the loop by bicycle.

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A weekend ▷ Follow the Rim Drive by car or bicycle, camp overnight at charming Mazama Village or the rustic Lost Creek campground, then hike down to the water for a boat tour on day two.

Experiencing the majesty

One look at the breathtakingly clear blue water of Crater Lake and you’ll want to get into it as quickly as possible. Because of the caldera’s sheer walls, this isn’t an easy task. The only feasible (and legal) way to access the lake’s shore is by hiking down the Cleetwood Cove Trail on the northern rim, accessible mid-June through October. The trail is a mile (1.5 km) long, and rugged.

Once at the shore, you can swim in the pristine waters, fish for salmon and trout, or take a boat tour around the lake. To explore Wizard Island, the boat tour is the only way to go. After docking, another challenging trek over loose gravel and lava rocks awaits. The trail to the top rises 700 ft (213 m), but once you reach the peak, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views and the singular opportunity to stand atop a caldera within a caldera. Choose between two hiking trails on the cone, or venture a little farther away from the top to luxuriate in the quiet stillness of the island.

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Hillman Peak, a basalt pinnacle on the western rim of Crater Lake, is slightly higher than Watchman Peak

Sightseeing by bicycle

Cycling the complete circuit of Rim Drive is another popular way to take in the lake. The steep, high-elevation route is physically demanding, and riders can take breaks along the way to appreciate the spectacular scenery at any of the 30 overlooks. Start and end your ride at the historic Crater Lake Lodge. If you ride clockwise, you’ll soon reach the Watchman parking area, with its bird’s-eye view of Wizard Island. Cloudcap is another good stop, where you’ll find the trailhead to Mount Scott, the park’s highest point at 8,929 ft (2,721 m). Pause, too, at Kerr Notch, with its picture-perfect framed view of the Phantom Ship.

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Dedicated cyclists complete the scenic tour round the breathtaking Crater Lake in a day

Hardcore enthusiasts might consider the Century Ride, a 100-mile (160-km) route that begins at Fort Klamath Museum. Mountain bikers should head to Grayback Drive for 8 miles (13 km) of unpaved bliss.

Beyond the Lake

The main attraction is undoubtedly the lake, but you’ll be spoiled for choice with the number of breathtaking natural wonders and outdoor adventures to enjoy. Nighttime and off-season can be some of the best times to see another side of the park.

The Pinnacles These needlelike formations in Sand Creek Canyon, off well-marked Pinnacles Road, make a fascinating counterpoint to the lake.

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Plaikni Falls This is an easy, mile-long (1.6 km), accessible trail that runs through old-growth forest and ends at a stunning waterfall.

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Stargazing and night-sky photography There’s very little light pollution in the park, making it perfect for counting constellations.

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Skiing and snowshoeing In winter, the Rim Drive is closed to traffic, but open to snowshoers and skiers. The 90 miles (145 km) of trails allow camping year-round.

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Watchman Peak This is a prime spot for viewing the magical sunsets over the crater. You can trek on your own to the top, join a ranger-led hike, or just drive to the lookout.

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