Wizard Island Views

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US, and the 9^th deepest lake in the world.  The lake rests in a caldera formed about 7,700 years ago when a 12,000 foot talk volcano collapsed following a major eruption.  Scientists believe that the eruption went around the mountain and as the eruption happened, the mountain blew out from there (so to speak), and the top of the mountain just fell into the caldera and Wizard Island was formed.  Eventually, between rain water and snow melt (an average of 43.5 feet falls each year), the lake was formed.  It is the clearest, cleanest lake in the world because the water is only from rain and snow melt – no rivers run into or out of it.  Anyway, enough of the details – take a look at this beautiful lake and island!

 

Meet Wizard Island – it's 694 feet tall (measured from the water line).  I really like the reflection in the lake.  And the water is so incredibly blue due to how clean the water is.  There’s only 1 boat that’s allowed on the lake – it does a tour of sorts, and the tours are limited.  It looks unreal, but it’s naturally real!

 

Here’s another view of the island, taken as we drove the road around the rim.  I like the view between the trees. 

Enjoy!

Godfrey Glen Trail

As we drove around the rim of Crater Lake, we stopped at a trail called Godfrey Glen.  It runs thru an old growth forest that is protected because it’s in the National Park.  Many old growth forests are not protected any longer, so it’s nice to walk among these giants.

 

Isn’t this a peaceful looking trail?  It was really a nice walk, and it was one of only a few trails they allow dogs on (leashed, of course).  Miki really enjoyed the walk and being with her “people pack”.  

 

There were some canyon views along the trail.  The walls are actually made up of volcanic ash compressed together.  I really liked the colors of the walls of the canyon.

 

Isn’t this a lovely view of a valley below the trail?  I love the winding stream thru it, and the vibrant green of the meadow area next to the stream.  This area only has about 2 full months of no snow (snow melts sometime in June, and begins again sometime in September, so July and August are the only 2 no snow months), so seeing this lovely meadow and stream snow free is really something!

 

Altho we always want to look up at the tall trees, the floor of the forest provides some treasures as well!  I don’t know what these flowers are, but I just loved the look of them rising up from the forest floor.

 

Here’s a lovely intimate portrait of some greenery and a dead log.  I really love the contrast between the textures.

 

One of the things that are cool about the forest is all the moss that hangs from the pine trees.  Here’s an image of one – I really liked the way the sun shone thru the moss.  Kind of magical….

Enjoy!

Crater Lake Rim Drive

I was really excited about driving around the rim of Crater Lake.  The last time we visited this national park was in June, 2010.  At that time, there had been a blizzard the day we arrived, and altho the weather cleared the following day, we only got to see one small portion of the park.  The road around the rim was under between 8 – 12 feet of snow!!  This wasn’t just from the blizzard the day before, but from the entire winter season.  So, this time when there was no snow, it was a great drive!

 

I never knew this little island existed – it’s called Phantom Ship.  If you look at it, it is sort of shaped like a ship.  It’s called Phantom because from the main portion of the park, you can’t see this tiny island.  It’s hidden behind Wizard Island.  It is a really pretty island, and actually isn’t all that small – it’s about as tall as a 16 story building.

 

I had to include this image – I truly believe the reflections in the water of the surrounding coastline make this look sort of surreal, but this is how it really looked.  I think the clarity of the water played a part in this as well.  I just love it.

 

There’s an area on the drive that’s a bit away from the lake, but that has these formations called The Pinnacles.  They are made up of volcanic ash, and it’s very cool the way they just sort of rise up from the ground.

 

This is a view of what is called The Castle.  It’s a natural formation along the shore of the lake.  It’s interesting to see how the color is so different from the surrounding rocks and ash.

 

And finally, here’s a wide view of Crater Lake.  The blue of the lake is really incredible and I love the cloud reflection in it.  The little boat in the lake is that one tour boat that’s allowed on the lake.

Enjoy!