Crater Lake National Park

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Crater Lake by far is one of my favorite places in this country. The fact that it is a giant lake that is the clearest and deepest shade of blue I have ever seen is one thing. The fact that the lake lies in the caldera of a volcano makes it that much cooler.

The color of the lake I found out comes from the fact that the water is a combination of just rainfall and snowmelt. That’s it. There is no river or spring that feeds the blue waters. I came to find out that Crater is also the deepest lake in the United States touting a depth of 1,943 feet. Later you will see photos from on the water. The rim above is right around 2,000 feet from where the photos were shot. So for me it is cool to think that the surface of the lake is the halfway point between the two.

I started my adventure in the park passing by Vidae Falls followed shortly with a hike up to Sun Notch where I caught glimpses of Phantom Ship and Wizard Island, two of the most well known features on the water. After spending time taking in the view I headed towards Cleetwood Cove Trail where I decided to take the tour from the surface of the lake. I hiked down the trail which descends the almost 2,000 feet in just about a mile to where I would get to ride a boat around the rim of the lake checking out a different vantage point of what I had seen from above. The ride was two hours of awesome as a ranger pointed out different features of the crater. After the ride I hiked the 2,000 feet up the long switchbacks to the rim. I was needless to say a little winded when I reached the top.

I then headed to Mazama Village to pick out a campsite to set up for the night. After building a fire and eating a well deserved meal I watched the clouds pass over the moon through the trees before laying my head down to rest. Tomorrow more adventure awaited!

Vidae Falls at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Vidae Falls at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Vidae Falls at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Vidae Falls at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

The beginning of the trail to Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

The beginning of the trail to Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

The beginning of the trail to Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

The beginning of the trail to Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

The beginning of the trail to Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

The beginning of the trail to Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Wizard Island can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Wizard Island can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Wizard Island can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Wizard Island can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Phantom Ship can be seen from Sun Notch in Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Riding along the surface of Crater Lake in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015.

Clouds obscure the moon through the trees inside Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Clouds obscure the moon through the trees inside Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Clouds obscure the moon through the trees inside Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Clouds obscure the moon through the trees inside Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Clouds obscure the moon through the trees inside Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015

Clouds obscure the moon through the trees inside Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Sunday, July 26, 2015