As part of my continuing series over the last few weeks from our recent road trip to Seattle and back, this weeks post is of Crater Lake National Park. Located northwest of Klamath Falls in the south central portion of Oregon, it was formed 7,700 years ago when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. The collapsed caldera has become the deepest lake in the United States fed by rain and snow and one of the most pristine anywhere on the planet.
In all of our years going up and down the west coast to Seattle, we had never stopped at Crater Lake. I have seen it numerous times from the air flying back and forth, but seeing it up close and personal is an entirely different experience. One of the most recognizable features of the Lake is the island on the western side of the lake. Because of this feature, it makes it easy to spot even at 36,000 feet in the air.
The first thing you notice about the lake is the deep blue color of the water. It looks fake even in person it so so blue.
We drove around the entire lake and as you can see from this capture as we approach the island, it isn’t as small as one would believe, which gives you an idea just how large this lake is.
The next capture (Crater Lake 4) was taken from the drive as it took us around in the upper right coastline of the above capture (Crater Lake 3).
This next capture was a surprise as we continued the drive from Crater Lake 4 going left from that shot.
Love the unique feature that nature created here. Looks like a small castle on an island. To give you a point of reference, the island itself is on the far right side of this capture.
There is so much to do in the Park and so much to see. This just gives you a flavor of the lake itself. Again, the surreal deep blue color of the lake boggles the mind every time you look at it no matter which side of the lake you are on.
Thoughts?
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I have never been to Crater Lake. It looks amazing and that blue!! I’m sure there will be some paintings come out of this. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Darlene!! The beauty of the lake is very inspiring….!!
These are beautiful. I’d love to see water so blue.
The water remains a slight mystery to scientist as it not only is so pure, but the water level never changes regardless of how much or little rain/snow is received. Stunning experience!!
Enchanting and captivating pictures, Kirt of the Crater Lake and yes so true God and his marvelous gift to all of us. Nature at its all time best. Great post.
Thank you very much!! His work at its finest….
Yes so true. Welcome Kirt😊😊😊
I remember going there as a kid. It was an amazing place for sure and your photos captured it beautifully.
Thank you very much!! I have so many shots from that day that I didn’t share as the surround topography is stunning on its own merit also!!
Lovely images Kirt and thanks for the tour. I briefly visited Crater Lake one time just for a few moments. Right as I arrived it started snowing and was very cold, so I opted to keep moving. Your images remind me of how taken I was even in that brief visit.
It is so stunning and we hit the weather perfectly!! Just went o their website to add to this post and most of it right now is shut down due to snow! Hope all is well with you!!
Yes, it’s stunning and I hope to see it in person again.
I have never been there, Kirt, but your photos make me want to visit. The color is astonishing. Thanks for sharing.
It is so beautiful! It leaves you awe struck at the power of Mother Nature. I thought the half of Mt St Helens that blew off was mind blowing…can’t image the power behind this explosion to take the entire mountain out.
I love Crater Lake, but it has been about two decades since I last visited it, so it was really great to see it here in your photos, Kirt. Your images highlight it well. I have been on many flights from SFO to Seattle, and I always look for Crater Lake from above, just like you described, looking for the island to identify it.
I can’t believe it took us all these years to physically go to it. So glad we did, especially all of the times I’ve seen it from the air!! We also had an experience you will understand. On our drive from Crater Lake heading north, we drove through a forest that was one of the wild fires this year. So sickening to see a thick forest of blackened tree trunks and no pine needles. Also saw some burned out structures….ugh. Makes me so sad!! My best to you!! Hope all is well!
Yes, I understand the burned-out forest look, now living in one. Thanks for thinking of me, Kirt. Your words “so sickening” are exactly right. I’m finding, after three years, I have still not gotten used to it, but over the years, we have trained ourselves to not look widely, and stay focused on the few things that are growing. On a lighter note: post-three years is better than post-two and post-one. We wait for property values to rise…. Thanks, my friend, and thanks for this incredible journey to Crater Lake.
Wow
It is really surreal Dave. Glad I wasn’t around when it blew!! 🙂 Hope all is well with you and your family!
All good Kirt. Thanks.
So refreshing! I cannot help but to think of Salmon! ❤️🍃🍃☕️☕️
Love it!! It is truly amazing to see it up close and personal!!
I admit I have not heard of Crater lake. I especially like the final photo which for me gives perspective of just how massive it is. To think of the power of a volcano to create such a lake. All beautiful Kirt.
The clarity of the water is so amazing. I also read somewhere that the level of the water never changes regardless of how much snow or rain has or has not occurred. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the feedback on the photos!!
Stunning pictures, friend
Thank you very much Leyla!!
Unbelievable! You made it happen here! I am always thing about the beauty and love that God has given
us. A paradise surely, so lovingly!
Amazing how He works!! From such a violent creation to a serene peaceful beautiful area!!
A beautiful captivation. I myself use lots of colorful filters. ☕️☕️💗
Wow! Spectacular! Your captures are amazingly gorgeous. This is on my bucket list! My son was there this past summer. He was in awe!
Thank you for sharing these. Happy day to you Kirt.
Thanks Nancy!! It is so beautiful!! Have a great day!!
So incredible, that water though! 😍
These are amazing, beautiful pictures! The first thing that did capture my eye was the blue, breath taking! I love that you included the history of the lake! I definitely need to visit this place!
The color of the lake is so surreal!! I recommend a visit…summer preferably…I saw on the National Parks site, a lot of the roads are closed right now…snow!!
Its so beautiful! Lovely shots
Thank you very much Gill!!
OK! … It’s on my bucket list now … beautiful!
Thank you very much Denise!! It truly is beautiful!! Have a great week!!
Wow, what spectacular shots! It’s so neat to see the island from various angles – really brings home the size of the lake. And that blue, blue water… ahhhh. 🙂
It truly is a stunning lake and the deep blue water is so surreal. Just glad I wasn’t around 7700 years ago when it was created. 🙂
I may never visit this beautiful and unusual lake in person, but I am glad to get a glimpse via your beautiful photographs…
It is truly breath-taking. Unreal to think of it as a collapse caldera and the purity of the water is another thing all together……thanks for stopping by!
Love Crater Lake, and also Mt Shasta and volcanic caves nearby in the Oregon-California border region.
The volcanic caves sound fascinating. I’m not aware of them….where exactly are they?
Lava Beds National Park and Lassen. https://www.nps.gov/labe/planyourvisit/caving.htm
Thank you very much!!