Oregon - Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake

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Established:	1902
Location:	Southwest Oregon
Acres:	183,224

photo courtesy LOC

OR, Crater Lake National Park

Magical and enchanting its deep blue and violet waters shine like a lost gem. Colors unique to the deepest lakes in the world. Created by sunlight as it penetrates deep into this very clean and clear lake. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,932 feet. There are no streams or rivers flowing into or out of Crater Lake which allows all the sediment to rest on the bottom.

OR, Crater Lake National Park, Wizard Island The area surrounding Crater Lake has a long history of glacial and volcanic activity. The formation of Crater Lake itself is the result of the eruption of the volcano Mt. Mazama 7,700 years ago. An eruption that produced a force equivalent to 40 times the 1980 Mt. St. Helen eruption in Washington. Pumice covered 350,000 square miles or an area equal to all of Oregon, Washington, and California combined! After the eruption, the towering 12,000 foot mountain was reduced to a 4,000 foot deep (caldera) that was six miles across. For thousands of years, the collapsed volcano was filled with rain, snow, and debris to form what is today the 1,932 foot deep lake. Hikers revel in the beauty of this landscape on a 32 mile scenic loop that circumvents Crater Lake. Camping is available at the large Manzama Campground (200 sites, $12) and primitive Lost Creek Campground (18 tent sites, $6). Both accessible via the main park road. The campgrounds are open in the summer from June through September on a first come, first served basis. Crater Lake is one of the snowiest areas in the entire Northwest and receives an average of 44 feet of snow each year. OR, Crater Lake National Park The Crater Lake Lodge has 71 rooms that are available from May 15 - Oct 15 with prices ranging from $100-$150. After being closed for six years, this newly renovated lodge now takes its place among the premier rustic lodges in the U.S. Reservations are recommended well in advance (541) 830-8700. The others being located at the Grand Canyon, Glacier, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. Some additional photos of Crater Lake can be viewed at www.trailmonkey.com, J. Donohue, and Crater Lake National Park, PO Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604 (541) 594-2211 www.nps.gov/crla sites.

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