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Crater Lake National Park is a magical and serene landscape of
ancient forest and the deepest lake in the United States at 1,949
feet. Its extreme depth makes it the ninth deepest lake in the
world. But that's not the end of the story. Its average depth
of 1,148 feet makes it the deepest in the western hemisphere and
third in the world. What may surprise you is that Crater Lake
has no creeks flowing out of it nor into it. The lake loses water
to subsurface seepage and evaporation, while being replenished
by snow and rainfall. Crater Lake used to be 11,00 foot Mazama
Mountain, but in 5700 B.C., the mountain imploded during a volcanic
eruption. Hundreds of years later, Crater Lake was formed. This
massive eruption sent ash as far as Yellowstone, and it produced
150 times more ash than the May 18th 1980 eruption of Mount St.
Helens.
The impressive lake is not the only thing on offer in Crater Lake
National Park. I find that the striking old growth forest and
wildlands are the real star of the show, and one could easily
become lost in this ancient landscape. Forests of pine, fir and
hemlock cover most of the 183,000 acres. There is also the Pumice
Desert, a volcanic destruction zone north of Mazama which to this
day allows for little growth of plants.
Crater Lake is home to wildlife such as deer, roosevelt elk, black
bear, fisher, marten, wolverine, badger, mountain lion among other
mammals. Bald eagles and osprey also call the area home, along
with numerous species of owl.
The entire area has an ambiance of a pristine wilderness, and
this feeling is magnified by the scenic national forests which
border the park. Those interested in hiking, fishing, boating,
stargazing, wildlife watching, photography and other outdoor pursuits
will find Crater Lake to be an excellent location. Just remember
that this is a remote park. Stock up on what you need from either
Medford or Klamath Falls Oregon if coming from the south, or from
Bend if coming from the north.
Crater Lake National Park Facts:
Total acreage: 183,000 acres
Square Miles: 286
Crater Lake: 13,760 acres
Greatest depth: 1,943 feet
Average depth: 1,148 feet
Surface elevation: 6,173 feet
Surface area: 13,069 acres
Widest point: 6.02 miles
Narrowest point: 4.54 miles
Average height of rim: 1,000 feet
Highest point on rim: 1,980 feet Hillman Peak
Lowest point on rim: 507 feet Palisade Point
Wizard Island: 764 feet above main lake surface
Volume of water: 5 trillion gallons
Clarity readings of 120 feet!
Established: May 22, 1902
Highest point: 8,929 feet (Mt. Scott)
Lowest Point: 3,977 feet (Red Blanket Canyon)
Roads: 79 miles
Trails: 90 miles, including 33 miles of Pacific Crest trail
5 species of fish in the park including rainbow trout and kokanee
Flora: 700 native species, 17 rare
Wildlife species: 222 including the rare wolverine a northern
spotted owl
Picnic areas: 8
Drive-in campgrounds: 2
Visitation in 2008: 415,686
P.O. Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604
(541) 594-3000
Fees:
Car: $10 for 7 days
Motorcycle: $5 per person for 7 days
Crater Lake annual pass: $20
Flowered slops of Crater Lake rim
Getting to Crater Lake National Park is not as easy
as it seems if you aren't familiar with the area. Those who live
outside of the state who plan to drive can expect long, twisty
and remote roads. Those coming from Idaho will have to cross the
massive expanse of the Oregon desert with little to no supplies
for one hundred miles in one section! Coming from Nampa, Idaho,
take 84 north to 20 west (Ontario) to 395 south. Follow this for
36 miles to Christmas Valley Road. Take aright here, and follow
this road to the town of Christmas Valley. Hang a left at the
center of town on highway 514F, which leads to highway 31. This
takes you to Silver Lake. 1.5 miles past silver Lake, take a left
on highway 410. Follow this through the national forest and Klamath
wildlife refuge. You will soon "t" into highway 97,
and can choose to head to the northern or southern entrance. At
97 you can cross and go west on West Boundary Road, which takes
you to highway 232. Head south(left) here and take it to Dixon
Road, which you will make a right on. This will cross highway
62. Take this north to the Crater Lake southern entrance. The
entire trip from 97 is 30 miles. The other option is to take 97
north to highway 138 (left) and then a left on North Cascade Park
Road for 30 miles also.
Bend is the major town to the northeast, with Eugene
the northwest population center. Klamath Falls is the major center
to the southeast, and Medford to the southwest. Medford, Klamath
Falls and Eugene have airports.
Preserved snow field on the shore of cold Crater
Lake.
Steel Visitorn Center:
Open all year
Hours:
Nov - Mar 10:00 am - 4:00 pm - Daily (except Christmas Day)
Mar - Nov 9:00 am - 5:00 pm - Daily
Rim Village Visitor Center:
Rim Village Visitor Center Hours
Jun - Sep 9:30 am - 5:30 pm
May - Jun 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Month of Sep 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Phone - 541-594-2211 ext. 415
Location - Rim Village
Available Facilities - Gift shop, cafeteria, and Crater Lake Lodge
Cafeteria and Gift Shop at Rim Village - Winter Hours
10:00 am - 4:30 pm - Weekdays
10:00 am - 5:00 pm - Weekends and Holidays
Rim Village Visitor Center & Other Stores Summer Hours -
31 May through 30 Sep
8:30 am - 6:00 pm - Daily
8:00 am - 8:00 pm - Daily - Cafeteria and Gift shop at Rim Village
7:00 am - 10:00 pm - Daily - Mazama Village Store
Tiny creek in Crater Lake flower meadow.
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