Crater Lake National Park


Join Bob Ganey American Tourist at Crater lake – Video


On the Way to Crater Lake from Point Comfort – Video

Crater Lake National Park graphic badge

Crater Lake at water level.  Photo by Anders Tomlinson.  Klamath County Oregon.

A deep blue that will take your breath away
Crater Lake is 1,943 feet at it’s deepest point,the seventh deepest lake in the world
and the deepest in the United States. Lake levels fluctuate slightly from year to year.
Winter snows supply the lake with water. Crater Lake, 42.95°N 122.10°W, is a 45
minute drive from Point Comfort Lodge, a trip to a spectacular world unlike any other.
It is no wonder that Crater Lake is a National Park.

crater lake national park, klamath county, view from watchmen's tower. photo by anders tomlinson

400,000 years in the making and boom! .
Crater Lake lies inside a caldera, or volcanic basin, created when
12,000 foot high Mount Mazama collapsed 7,700 years ago following a large eruption.
The lake averages more than five miles in diameter, and is surrounded
by steep walls that rise up to 2,300 feet above its surface. Wizard Island rises 764 feet
above the lake surface. Mt. Scott, at 8,929 feet, is the park’s highest point.

crater lake national park, klamath county, looking down at water and shoreline. photo by anders tomlinson

More than a special place it is a special spirit.
Upwards of 500,000 people visit Crater Lake. The park is open year round with July and
August being the busiest months. Lake temperature varies between 32 and 66 degrees
at the surface. More than 260 feet below the surface, the water remains a constant
39 degrees year-round.

crater lake national park, klamath county, looking at cliff with orange outcropping. photo by anders tomlinson

Seeing a wind-blown sky within the water.
On June 25, 1997 scientists recorded a record clarity reading of 142 feet – 43.3 meters.
Crater Lake is one of the clearest lakes in the world. It usually has clarity
readings of 80 to 115 feet.

crater lake national park, klamath county, looking down at water and tour boat at cleetwood cove.

Seeing the lake by tour boat is beyond an E-class ticket
Crater lake is an unique ecosystem. Scientists have identified 157 species of phytoplankton
and 12 species of zooplankton in the lake. Large colonies of moss circle the lake
at depths of up to 400 feet. At the bottom of the lake, communities of bacteria gather
around at least two areas of hydrothermal activity. Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon
thrive in the lake, the result of stocking between 1888 and 1942. A 6.5 pound, 26 inch
long rainbow trout has been documented. Fishing is allowed at Cleetwood Cove and
on Wizard Island. No fishing license is required.

crater lake national park, on a boat tour of the lake, klamath county.  photo by anders tomlinson

Geology, natural and cultural history come alive.
Imagine spending a couple of hours circumnavigating a volcano from inside on a deep lake.
To board the tour boats in Cleetwood Cove one must descend a 1.1 mile trail which drops
700 feet from road to water level. This is an experience in and of itself. Three are other
tours that allows people to spend as much as six hours on Wizard Island. One is far far
way from the modern world. The price of admission is well worth it.

crater lake national park,  tourist looking out at fumeroles.  photo by anders tomlinson

On the road up to the lake’s rim
There are 700 plant, 52 mammal, 8 amphibian, 4 reptile, 5 fish, and 151 bird species
in Crater Lake National Park. The park is much more than the legendary lake itself.
There are canyons and creeks cutting down the slopes. Here, two observers look
up a canyon at fumeroles.

crater lake national park, the pinnacles. klamath county.  photo by anders tomlinson

Away from away are the Pinnacles.
Off of Rim Drive one can take Pinnacles Road which leads to Pinnacles Valley and Pinnacles
overlook. When Mt. Mazama literally blew its top off 200 to 300 foot deposits of
gas-charged hot ash and pumice surrounded the volcano. Hot gas escaped through
fumaroles formed by the hot gas bonding ash and pumice into channels. The tall
pinnacles are the result of eroding loose ash and pumice leaving the cemented material.

crater lake national park, klamath county, looking down at phantom ship island. photo by anders tomlinson

Recognized as a national, and international, treasure.
Phantom and Wizard are the two islands in the lake. The park comprises 183,224 acres,
90% is managed as wilderness area. Crater Lake was established as the seventh national park
on May 22, 1902. This photo was taken on the year’s last day rim drive was open to the public.
That night a snow storm made the drive impassable. It might not be reopened until June
depending on that year’s conditions.

crater lake national park, snow being removed from rim drive, klamath county.  photo by anders tomlinson

Few places in the northwest received more snow than Crater Lake.
Winter brings some of the heaviest snowfall in the country, averaging 533 inches per year.
Although park facilities mostly close for the season, the park’s south entrance is
kept open for visitors. Snow can still be on the ground in early summer.

crater lake national park, heavy snow and photgraphing the lake in winter, klamath county.  photos by anders tomlinson

A sunny winter day is a snowy wonderland to enjoy.
The air is crisp. The silence echoes off the caldera walls. A photograph frames an image that will not rival the experience of being there. A person takes off alone into the forest. times like this one cannot truly be alone because they are with Crater Lake.

crater lake national park, four photos of winetre activities., klamath county. photos by anders tomlinson

Moving around in the winter is an aerobic and aromatic experience.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoe hikes make Crater Lake a winter wonderland.
Crater Lake has 90 miles of maintained trails and 74 miles of paved road, including the
33 mile rim drive that circles the lake. What opportunities for winter explorations.

crater lake national park seen from the road crossing fort klamath, klamath county.  photo by anders tomlinson

It is a pleasure for one to say they visited Crater Lake.
The bottom of Crater Lake is close to the elevation of these fences and barns.
This photo is taken from a road that takes one to Kimball Park another majestic destination.
Here, springs coming out the cliffs feed the Wood River at the feet of Mt. Mazama, home of
Crater Lake National Park.

topo map of crater lake national park, u.s.g.s.

Like No Place Else On Earth
The following is from the Crater Lake National Park’s home page –
“Crater Lake has inspired people for thousands of years. No place else on earth
combines a deep, pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost two thousand
feet high; two picturesque islands; and a violent volcanic past. It is a place of immeasurable beauty, and an outstanding outdoor laboratory and classroom.”

The map is courtesy of the U.S.G.S. For more information visit Crater Lake National Park

©2013 Anders Tomlinson and Robert Ganey, all rights reserved.