Making our way back up into the mountains, we left Klamath Falls and traveled north to Crater Lake National Park. As we got into the park, there was this beautiful valley; it was so green on the bottom!
Interestingly enough, we met a very nice couple from Crescent City, CA - where we happened to be heading that afternoon. They took this picture for us and then told us where to eat dinner and where the best drive was to see the Redwoods.
But first, let's see the famous and fantastic Crater Lake! Not there yet but that's long way down!
One of our first views of the lake, it is truly breathtaking! The blue is shocking. Again, words and pictures can not do it justice. Though it was partly cloudy, we were lucky to have bits of sunshine.
Behind the girls is Wizard Island, a volcano forming in the middle of a former volcano. For those that don't know, Crater Lake was created when Mount Mazama erupted 7,700 years ago. Essentially it caused the entire top of the mountain the fall into itself and down into the magma chamber that lay beneath. It's eruption was 42 times greater than that of Mount St. Helen's in 1980. Ash from this blast reached all the way to what's now Nebraska.
The blue water is unreal. The only boats on the water are tour boats and they had to be lifted down into the water by helicopter. The lake is 1,943 feet deep, the deepest lake in the US and the 9th deepest in the world! The average snowfall here is 533 inches, that's about 44 feet!
Loved this, thought I'd share.
This little island is called Phantom Ship. Though it looks tiny, the island rises 163 feet above the surface of the lake, as high as a 16 story building. The island is about 300 feet long.
We left the lake but stayed in the park and hiked to a waterfall. Along the way we saw this beautiful tree with it's puzzle pieces laying all over the ground.
It's called Plaikni Falls and is lovely. Only about a mile hike in. Don't be surprised if you see this picture again at Christmas time!
So long for now, this is such a beautiful area of the country; I have no doubt we'll be back some day.
Well, now you've given us a reason to make a third trike trip! It really is a beautiful area and one that we haven't seen. (I agree with the thought about your Christmas card....could the picture be more perfect?)
ReplyDeleteWell, now you've given us a reason to make a third trike trip! It really is a beautiful area and one that we haven't seen. (I agree with the thought about your Christmas card....could the picture be more perfect?)
ReplyDelete