Crater Lake
Location: Oregon
Established: May 22, 1902
Crater Lake inspires awe – intensely blue water ringed by cliffs almost 2,000 feet high. The lake was created following Mount Mazama’s fiery eruption and collapse in on itself, forming a vast caldera. Eventually, rain and snowmelt accumulated in the caldera, forming a sapphire-blue lake more than 1,900 feet deep, the deepest lake in the United States.
A wonderful way to experience Crater Lake is to drive Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that encircles Crater Lake. The road stays close to the rim, providing spectacular views of the lake and the cliffs that surround it. And, be sure to take the drive at various times during the day, as sunset over the lake is not to be missed! However, if you truly want to experience the lake, I highly recommend the Volcano Boat Cruise, a Ranger-led boat tour that takes you on a loop around the lake. It was amazing to see the brilliant blue of the water up close, to learn more about the lake's history and formation, and to see nooks and crannies that are not visible from the rim above. Of course, in order to enjoy this wonderful cruise, you have to hike a 1.1 mile trail and descend 700 feet. It wasn't so bad, until you considered that the return 1.1 mile hike, with a 700-foot ascent in elevation, is equivalent to climbing 150 flights of stairs! No worries, though, as it was absolutely the highlight of our trip.
