We headed up to Oregon over the weekend to visit Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States...1900 ft. deep. It was formed from a volcano eruption that left a crater which filled with snow melt. The water is the bluest we have ever seen!
The small rock structure in the lake is called the "phantom ship." It's beautiful and kinda creepy at the same time.
The entire lake is surrounded by high crater walls. There is only 1 place to access the water and that is by hiking down a 1 mile trail that is 700 vertical feet of elevation change.
The orange looking structure is called "Pumice Castle."
The faithful Subaru... it takes us everywhere! With Mt. Scott in the background... the highest peak in the park at over 10,000 ft.
No personal watercraft allowed on the lake... no canoes, paddleboards, etc. And no long distance swimming or scuba diving. The only boats allowed are the National Park Service boats that give tours.
Wizard Island:
The Rogue River leaves this area and carries that beautiful blue water downstream...
The river flows into a deep gorge. Tons of falls and fast flowing water.
The rock is all lava rock... very porous... but also smooth from the flowing water.
Of course Zater tagged along for the journey... and now he's exhausted just like we are!
The next night we decided to drive down to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
On the way we got a glimpse of Mt. Shasta... over 14,000 ft. high and still with snow on it in July!
Lassen National Park...
Mt. Lassen peak... a volcano which last erupted in 1915.
Mike and Z swimming in Summit Lake:
Helen Lake...
Beautiful wildflowers and ridiculously blue water... everywhere you look!
The snow marker... I stood under it for reference.
Sulphur springs... hot, flowing (smelly) creek.
Bubbling "mud pot."
We had a great weekend exploring volcanoes in Oregon and Northern Cali. More adventures to come... next weekend we are headed to Sequoia National Park for more camping!
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